COLE

I stepped into the room cautiously, not sure if she wanted me there or not. It was understandable if the latter was the case—I wouldn’t want to be in the same room with someone whose actions had changed my life tremendously.

Especially at a time like this, when she had just gone through something as nerve-racking as childbirth. I shoved my hands into my pockets and looked around nervously.

I hated hospitals; every corner I turned and every room I stepped into carried the same aggravating smell of disinfectant and a feeling of despair hanging over my head like Damocles’ sword.

Ultimately, being here reminded me of how helpless...