The examination showed that she was healing, but she was dehydrated and exhausted. The doctor told Ethan that Claire needed consistent support, proper meals, and time to rest.
“She shouldn’t have been left alone like that,” the doctor said.
Ethan felt ashamed even though he had not known.
Claire noticed.
“This isn’t your fault,” she told him in the parking lot.
“I trusted people who made you afraid to call me.”
“You trusted your family.”
“You are my family.”
Claire looked down at her hands.
“Your mother never believed that.”
Ethan reached across the console.
“Then she is going to learn.”
He did not abandon the travelers in Mexico.
Ben was a child, and Ethan would never punish him for the decisions of adults.
He booked four basic return tickets for January second, but paid only for the flights—not the resort balance, restaurant charges, spa appointments, or shopping.
