“What happens when we hit another rough patch, and then another, like we always do?”

“We figure it out together.”

“I can’t believe that. Not anymore.” She turned for the door, but Gretchen grabbed her wrist to stop her.

“You said you wouldn’t leave me.” Gretchen’s face was red.

All Jax could muster was a shrug. She pulled her hand free and walked out the front door. She heard Gretchen’s shrill cries through the door as she called for her. She climbed in her truck, and that’s when her rigid posture finally fell. She felt tears come to life as she pulled out of the driveway. She checked over her shoulder for traffic and noticed Caleb’s dinosaur in her back seat. Jax knew she didn’t have time for another detour. She was already late as it was, and she didn’t need to add groveling for her job to the list of things to do today. She threw the truck in park and reached back to grab the stuffed animal with a death grip.

She walked back into the house. “I have to get to work, and Caleb forgot his dinosaur in the car.” She looked around for Gretchen before raising her voice to make sure she could be heard anywhere in the house. “See if Amanda can bring it to him. His teachers will not be able to handle his—” Her words died in her throat. “Gretchen?”

All she could see were Gretchen’s feet sticking out from behind the couch.

* * *

No…The darkness is here again, and I can’t, I won’t…

I hear you, Jax. I hear you calling my name, but I’m too tired. I can’t follow you this time. I’m sorry, my love, I tried. I really tried. It’ll be okay.

Chapter Thirty-seven

00:00:00

Everything was still and quiet. Gretchen struggled to open her eyes. They felt so heavy and sticky. Every time she got them to open for more than a second, she’d shut them against the bright lights in the room. She knew it couldn’t be sunlight. It was too white to be natural. Once she finally fought against the painful urge to squint, she looked at the ceiling, a ceiling she immediately recognized. It had happened again.

“No…” Her throat and her head hurt. She was scared to move for fear of feeling that sharp pain in her ribs again. “Not again.” She clamped her eyes shut and started to cry.

“Hey,” Jax said. “Stay with me—you’re okay.”

“I can’t do this,” she said through her hysterics. “Not again. Please, not again.”

“I’m getting Dr. Melendez.”

“There’s no point.” She hiccupped. “No one can help me.”

“Gretchen.” Jax took her hand. She wanted to pull away, but she was so weak. “Listen to me.”