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When we enter the house, a whimper draws us to the kitchen. Emma’s staring blankly into the distance, held hostage at the kitchen table by Rachel’s narration: a moment they both lost the man they loved most… Derek Thomas, Emma’s father.

“You took him from me,” Rachel breathes her liquor fumes into Emma’s face, wearing a detestable expression. Emma absorbs the words, the guilt, like she knows she’s to blame.

“Rachel? What did you do?” I demand, not hiding my anger.

Rachel’s attention is still locked on Emma. When Emma’s brow crumples with another heartbreaking cry, Rachel widens her eyes. “Oh, you remember.” A wicked smile creeps onto her lips as she leans back in her chair—torture accomplished.

Emma opens her mouth in silent torment.

“What did you do?” I growl at Rachel again. I crouch, trying to get Emma to look at me, but she’s still lost to the memory. “Emma, are you okay?”

“Emma, what’s wrong?” Evan asks from behind her.

Emma bolts up. The chair clatters to the ground. I stand and take a step back just as she takes off for the front door. I make a move to go after her, but it’s Evan who gets there first.

“She’s not yours,” Rachel says from the table, looking smug. “About time you remember that. That’s the boy who’s going to save her, not you.”

Jonathan’s too pale. Too still. Too fragile.

I’m afraid to touch him, not wanting to cause him pain, even the slightest. When I slip my hand into his, it's warm. It squeezes mine, and my heart leaps in my chest.

“It’ll be a while still before he’s fully awake,” the nurse explains as she checks his fluids and monitor. “Once he is, we’ll move him upstairs to a room.” I nod with a weak smile.

As long as he’s here, he’s safe. I want them to keep him here forever.

My mother forced me to go home long enough to shower and change, promising this would be my reward: getting to see him as soon as he came out of surgery. Collin must be at home doing the same thing, because he wasn’t in the waiting room with the others from our school. Skipping graduation parties and celebrating—to be here for Jonathan.

“I’m here,” I tell him, brushing his dark waves from his brow. “And you’re still here. We’ve got each other. Always.” I release a shaky breath. “I love you.”

He squeezes my hand again, and he tries to push open his lids, but the drugs win, closing them for a bit longer.

“Sadie, honey,” the nurse says sympathetically. “His mom is waiting to come in now. And only one person is allowed back here at a time.”

I open my mouth, but I don’t say anything. How can I leave him when I just got him back? Allison—she introduced herself earlier—sets a gentle hand on my arm. “I know it’s hard. But he’s doing really well. He’ll be in his room soon enough, and you can stay with him as long as his parents allow.”

I nod. Jonathan’s grip strengthens when I try to remove my hand. He fights once again to open his eyes as his heart rate quickens. “I’m not leaving you,” I whisper against his temple and press my lips to his cool skin. “I will never leave you. Wake up for me so I can come back.”

I slip my hand out of his, one finger at a time. Allison escorts me out of the recovery area and through the automated double doors. Samantha is waiting with red-rimmed eyes on the other side of the glass.

As soon as the doors mechanically open, Samantha steps forward and hugs me. She holds me so tight. “Thank you. Thank you for saving my boy. Thank you, my angel.” Her tears trigger mine. Allison waits patiently until we release each other. Samantha sets her hands on my cheeks. “Maybe you really are an angel. He’s so lucky to have you. So am I.” Her eyes stay connected to mine, emphasizing every word with her earnest stare. “Thank you.”

She kisses my cheek, leaving me stunned and crying when she’s escorted to see her son.

Ryan is standing in the doorway of the family waiting area. My parents are with him. He isn’t crying, but there are dark impressions of sorrow under his eyes.

“He’s going to be okay,” I assure him. Then the door opens to the waiting area, and Hal Reeves walks in. Samantha may have just claimed me as an angel. But angels are also beings who protect the innocent with fury, wrath and vengeance.

I move without thought, claws out. I take hold of Hal’s neck. “Murderer!” I scream. “You’re a murderer!” He grips my wrists, but my hold is fueled with righteous rage. “Burn in hell, you mother—“

Arms pull me back. My nails rake Hal’s neck, leaving bloody claw marks. “Sadie, calm down.” My father’s voice is in my head. “Keep calm, sweetie. Or else they’ll ask you to leave.” I fight against him, nearly breaking free as Hal dabs at his neck, inspecting the blood passively.

“If you want to be here for Jonathan,” my mother says calmly, “you need to stop this right now.” This cuts through the red haze of hatred. I collapse against my father’s chest as he wraps me tight. “And you shouldn’t be here. Don’t even open that mouth, Hal. Leave. Now.”

I turn my head, still within my father’s protective embrace. Hal Reeves looks me in the eye and unfurls a sly grin. “I was at the graduation, waiting for my son to walk down the aisle, just like everyone else. It’s a good thing you found him… this time, huh? He’s lucky to have you.”

Then he leaves.

I face my father and clutch his shirt. “He can’t get away with this. Please tell me he won’t. If you love me, you’ll make sure he pays. Whatever it takes, Dad. Please.”