~K~

Another two weeks pass before my brother is transferred to the sober home I found for him. After relentless paperwork and phone calls, the approval finally went through. His probation officer secured a plea bargain where Ethan will be able to stay in a sober home. When he's clean and stable, he'll go back to court for his final conviction and sentencing. He may face more jail time, but I know for a fact, good behavior and following treatment protocols will work in his favor.

I let his probation officer handle telling him. I didn't want the wrath of his anger, nor should our mother have to deal with it. Knowing Ethan, a sober home is not his ideal choice. He'd rather spend his time in jail, getting quick fixes off who knows who or what. But, it's time.

Five years is a long time to live with addiction. A long time to put your body through the havoc of those drugs. It's time he gets the help he needs... even if it's by force.

My mother thanked me endlessly and flew out with my father to see Ethan on his day of arrival. All I hope is the visit goes well, though I have doubts.

As far as Sharon and Max go, my lawyer informed me that Max will be due in court to face charges over attempted kidnapping. He can't leave the state, but an automatic no contact order was drawn up. He's not allowed any contact with either Emma, or me.

A no contact order was also issued against Sharon, as she isn't allowed to be near Emma or me. According to the statement, the judge made it clear it would be best if she went back to Florida, seeing she can't stay away from me for too long.

I haven't spoken to Emma since I sent her the text. I should've spoken to her face to face, but I know my control would've slipped.

The time with her is unlike anything I've ever had, but is it worth the risk? The risk of getting burnt again?

Especially after dealing with everything that's happened lately and how everyone in the office seems to know about us. I need time and space.

It's my fault. If I hadn't given in to temptation... if I had stayed away... I knew it was a bad idea this entire time... yet, I couldn't keep my dick in my pants to save my life.

A part of me wants to ask Em if she's okay, if she's hanging in there, but I keep my distance. I'm afraid she'll draw me in again or even worse, shun me.

The few times we did walk by each other, it's as if she didn't notice me—like two ships passing in the night. The worst part is how she looked. Sad, pale, and tired. Her face slimmed down, her clothes baggy. Her usual happy aura was tainted, in its place a sad, lonely woman. I craved to reach out and touch her, comfort her. But, I knew I'd never let go if I did.

There were a few days here and there she was out of the office, something about a stomach bug going around. Hopefully, it's not one I caused.

I push Emma out of my thoughts as I gather my things on my desk, another day done.

~E~

"I don't know, Sarah. I don't feel right lately. My stomach is off." I watch Sarah as she chops up veggies for our lunch. Salad is on the menu but right now, I can barely choke down my tea.

Sarah wipes her hand on a dishtowel before sipping her wine. "Hmm. You don't think it's a stomach virus?"

"Wouldn't that be over by now? It's been a month since I began feeling this way." My eyes flick over to Sarah's calendar, the bright orange letters of October shine back at me. Jeez, where did September go? Have I been lost in a haze that long?

Pushing through the trenches day after day as I try to forget Knox and the attack.

Sarah raises an eyebrow, her mouth pulled into a thin line. "You'd be surprised how long a norovirus can take to run through your system. Some people get it worse than others."

"Maybe. It's weird. Some days I'm perfectly fine, maybe a hint of nausea here and there, while other days I can't keep my head out of the toilet. And God, now I have no energy to do anything..." Sarah gasps and I abruptly stop talking.

"What? Did you cut yourself?" I stand to go check for blood but Sarah's shaking her head as she watches me.

"Em, when is the last time you got your period?"

"What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Seriously, Em. Can you remember the last time you got your period?" I grip the counter as I think. I walk to Sarah's fridge where the calendar is hanging. I rack my brain. I began feeling sick at the beginning of September, and the last time I remember getting my period was in the summer...

"Fuck!" My hand flies up to my mouth.

Sarah rushes next to me, "What?"

"I can't remember my last period... the last time I recall was in July sometime."

"July?" Sarah squeaks and my stomach drops. Shit, shit, shit... this can't be right...

I nod as I think over August. I can't remember having one, and I definitely didn't last month... Oh, my God.

"Aren't you on the pill?" Sarah rubs my shoulder as we both stare at the calendar.

"No, the shot. And we used condoms... well, except the last time."

"What?"

"S, I'm on the shot. I thought I was protected. I got one at the beginning of July and I'm due to get another next week."

"But Em, you know it's not one hundred percent."

"He didn't cum inside me, we talked about how we're clean, I didn't even think..." Tears fill my eyes. Thoughts of a baby run through my head and my heart pounds in my ears.

"Relax, Em." Sarah soothes as she rubs my back. "Let's get a test first."

* * *

An hour later, I'm pacing in Sarah's bathroom as she stares at the test, waiting for the results. I grip my hands together as the nausea bubbles up in my throat. Any second now...

"Shit." Sarah mumbles and my heart drops right along with my stomach.

I rush over and see the bright pink lines—both of them.

And, then I sink to the floor, my chest aching. Tears burn in my eyes as I touch my throat, my mouth hanging open.

What am I going to do?

~K~

My mother and father arrived home from visiting Ethan a couple of days ago. We gathered around their big dining room table with Jane on my left and Bella and Lynne across from me.

The conversation is lacking, the air in the room thick with tension. The visit with Ethan didn't go well and my father has had enough.

"As far as I'm concerned, he's cut off from the family until he gets his act together."

My mother's eyes well with tears. "He's sick, James. He needs time to get better."

"It's been five years, Ginny! Five! How much time does he need?" My father slams his hand on the table.

Out of the corner of my eye, Jane flinches while Bella and Lynne roll their eyes.

"He needs all the time he can get." I offer.

My father's dark eyes find my own. "This is your area of expertise, Knox. Tell us what to do."

"He has!" My mother interrupts. "Knox and Jane have been the only supports I've had since we've gone down this hell road."

My father stands, the table rattling with the force. "I haven't supported you, Ginny? What do you call this?" His hand gestures to everything around him. "This house, this food, it's all from my support! And who’s paying for Ethan's stay? Me!"

He storms out of the dining room, his food left untouched. My mother's head falls, her hands pressed to her chest as a sob escapes her lips.

Bella and Lynne stand, their full plates of food in their hands. "Mom, I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have a flight to catch." Bella singsongs before glancing at Lynne.

"I'm flying with her. Business shit, you know." Lynne smiles as she moves around the table. She places her plate down, giving our mom a brief hug before she disappears into the kitchen. Bella follows suit and when they return a moment later, their hands are empty. "Bye family!" They say at the same time before disappearing out the door.

"Fuck, what's wrong with them?" I snap.

"Knox! Watch your language."

"Sorry, but it's ridiculous. As soon as the going gets tough, they scamper off."

Jane pats my hand and gives me a warm smile. "Don't worry about them. One day, they'll need support and no one will be around to give it."

The house phone rings and my mother dabs her tears.

"I'll get it, ma." I stand and make my way to the phone. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Rothwell?" A high pitched voice comes down the line. She sounds like the woman from Ethan's sober home.

"No, this is her son, Knox. Can I help you with something?"

"Oh, Knox, hello. This is Kathy at the sober home. I'm calling about Ethan. He... he..." I hear a sharp intake a breath before she continues. "I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but Ethan overdosed. He's in grave condition at the local hospital. Currently, in a coma."

I freeze as her words register. Overdose? Grave condition? Coma?

"Wh... what?" I stutter, unable to believe her words.

"Yes. We don't know how he got hold of the drugs as we have no drugs here on site. The nurse found him in his room, a needle hanging from his arm, unconscious. We immediately rushed him to the hospital, but it's not looking good."

"What do you mean it's not looking good?" I demand.

My mother and Jane have come up beside me, their faces panic stricken. "What's happened, Knox?" My mother whispers as Jane grasps my hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm only going by the information the nurse is relaying to us. She's there at the hospital with Ethan right now. She told me to call your mother and have her call the hospital immediately."

"Thank you for the information, Kathy." I hang up without saying goodbye.

I turn to my mother and Jane. "Ethan overdosed and he's in grave condition. He slipped into a coma. We need to go."

At that moment, with the way they crumpled at my feet, I know that life as we know it, will never be the same.

~E~

My limbs are heavy and my eyes burn as I crawl into my bed early, hoping to escape this nightmare by drifting off to sleep.

Instead, I stare at the ceiling of my bedroom; the shadows from outside the window cast creepy shapes along the walls.

I'm left here, wide awake, hoping the answer to my problem will magically appear above me.

I'm not ready to be a mother, especially, alone. If my mother finds out, she'll be beside herself. A baby out of wedlock; she'll be more disappointed, if that's even possible.

With Knox out of the picture, I'll be left alone.

A single mom.

An overworked, miserable, single mom.

I jump at the sound of my phone vibrating next to me. Glancing over, the clock reads 3:16. Who could be calling me at this time?

I don't recognize the number but figure it must be important if they're calling this late at night.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Emma Russe? This is the Providence Police Department."

I immediately sit up, my heart flying into my throat. Oh no.

"Y... ye... yes?" I choke out, fear having wrapped its tight fingers around my neck.

"Sorry to bother you at this time, ma'am. You're listed as an emergency contact for a Miss Connie Rodrigues?"

I rack my brain. Connie has me listed as her emergency contact?

"Yes, officer. She's a patient of mine. I had no idea I was listed as her emergency contact."

"No worries, ma'am. We have a situation. Do you mind coming down to the police station?"

"Come down to the police station? What's going on?" I grip my blanket tighter, pulling it up above my chest.

"Your patient seems to have been involved in a double-suicide."

"What?" My heart explodes in my chest and my hands shake. I grip the phone tightly as his words work their way into my head.

"Please come down to the station, ma'am. We'll discuss everything then."

I hang up and call Sarah as the dam of tears breaks free.