It was late when Caly heard the door to the little Ford car slam shut. Bella was sleeping in her crib.

She walked to the door and found Thorn on his front porch steps with his head in his hands, clearly weeping. She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around his bicep. Without protesting from her, Thorn pulled Caly onto his lap and buried his head into her shoulder, sobbing with tears.

“Thorn, are you okay?”

“I failed, Caly. I failed you, Bella, the gym, everyone. Now that wicked witch is going to take my Bella.”

Caly sat up, forcing Thorn to look at her. “Slone is...