Evelyn leaned closer to the narrow glass panel, her breath catching tight in her throat. The dim light inside the private room cast long, soft shadows across the floor. The quiet room was filled with the steady, rhythmic beep of a heart monitor machine.

Evelyn's blue eyes widened in complete, horrifying shock as she took in the scene before her.

Sitting on a soft leather chair right beside the high hospital bed was Julian. He had pulled off his suit jacket, rolling his white shirt sleeves up to his elbows. His broad shoulders were bowed under a heavy, painful weight.

He was holding the small, delicate hand of a young...