Page 112 of When Stars Fall

I sit for a minute, soaking in her words. The passenger door is propped open. Then I climb out of the car. Straightening my coat, I steel myself to be the man Ellie and Haven need and not the one I am. Her words bounce around my brain while we talk to the person at reception, when we walk to Haven’s room, even as we stand outside her door.

I forgave Anna a lot over the years. That’s on me. She squandered chance after chance. Each opportunity to cut her loose led me to this moment. Anna might have left the drugs lying around, but I’m the one who should have known better. I’m the reason Haven’s in the hospital.

“You ready?” Nikki offers a tentative smile.

Thrusting my hands in my pockets, I square my shoulders. What I want, I’m not sure Ellie will let me have. I wouldn’t blame her at all.

Chapter Forty-Two

Ellie

Present Day

The doctor finishes checking Haven and turns to me with a grimace. Her pen wags back and forth. “Hospital policy is to call the Children’s Aid Society whenever a child overdoses—intentional or otherwise.”

“Children’s Aid Society?” My brain isn’t functioning. Each breath Haven takes beside me is a gift, and I can’t tear myself away.

“It’s a child protection agency in Canada.”

“But it was an accident.” I stare at her, dumbfounded.

“Yes, but it still needs to be investigated.” She scans her clipboard. “Her father has a history with drugs. They’ll want to make sure she’s safe.”

“What did you say to me about Wyatt? Doctor . . . ?” I bristle.

“Boxton.”

“WatchingTMZandEntertainment Tonightdoesn’t give you the right to judge him.Thiswasn’t his fault. He’s been clean and sober for almost three years.”

Maybe it is his fault, at least a little. Had he taken custody of Jamal, done the hard things earlier, we might not be here right now.

“You don’t know him.” I grasp Haven’s hand.

“Someone from CAS will be here soon. I wanted to make you aware.”

“Is Dad in trouble?”

I shake my head. Maybe we’re all in trouble, depending on what this agency decides. What’s already happened can’t be undone.

When Dr. Boxton reaches the door, she sidesteps Nikki and Wyatt. My heart pitter-patters in my chest at the sight of him. His broad shoulders, his dark messy hair, and his eyes, so haunted, twist my gut. The agony in his expression undoes me a hundred times. Any anger toward him seeps out of me. I can’t blame him, not even a little. Instead of waiting for him to come to me, I close the distance between us and throw my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest.

He draws me into a hug and squeezes me. His chin on the top of my head is soothing. “I’m so sorry,” Wyatt whispers. “Is Haven okay?”

I nod, but I can’t seem to find my voice. If I open my mouth, a sob might escape. Traumatic events and pregnancy don’t go together.

“How are you doing, Short Stuff?” Wyatt asks over me.

“I feel weird.”

Taking a step back from Wyatt, I keep my arm around his waist, and we go to Haven’s bedside.

“I shouldn’t have touched Aunt Anna’s things.” Her voice is little more than a whisper.

“Never touch Aunt Anna’s things.” Wyatt grips her small hand in his. “Ever again, okay? Aunt Anna has dangerous medicine.”

I haven’t had the courage or time to ask Haven how this happened. If Haven knew what she was doing, I’m not sure how I’ll cope. The doctor was too concerned about taking blood, getting a toxicology report, and so forth to ask many questions.

“You moved Anna’s things?” I ask. Wyatt brings a chair to her bedside.

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