It’s been a long time since I dreamed of Sadie, and this was different from every dream I’ve shared with her. This time I had a flashback of our first kiss. Then, we were in her favorite meadow. But the end terrified me because she was slipping away from me. I tried to hold onto her, but I couldn’t keep her by my side.

I hold my breath. My stomach feels like a ton of lead bricks. “What if she’s gone?”

Petrified by the thought of losing her, I bolt out of bed and run to the room next to mine. Aspen is with the baby, while Brynn is with Sadie.

My eyes dart to the machines that continue to beep. Air comes rushing back. My heart restarts. She’s still with me.

Sadie will be back when she’s ready.

“Who is chasing you?” Aspen, who is scribbling on Little Beanie’s chart, asks.

Kieran.

“Kieran,” I say it out loud. “His name is Kieran Griffin Hades.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Brynn says gently, arranging Sadie’s left arm.

“We chose it years ago.” I march to Sadie’s side.

Taking her hand, I lower myself and whisper, “You’re not alone. I’m right here.”

I study her face which isn’t swollen anymore. Her facial expression remains the same, motionless. But I can’t help to remember the fear harbored in those beautiful brown eyes during my dream.

Is she as scared now as she was in her dream?

I squeeze her hand, kiss her cheek, and brush her lips lightly with mine.

“Take your time,” I press my mouth to the inside of her wrist. “I know you’ll come back to me.”

“We’re doing a CT scan tomorrow. The team is getting together to decide when we’ll take her out of the induced coma.”

“Okay.” I swallow hard.

“We’ve tried to accommodate you the best we could.” Her voice is cautious, my pulse spikes. “It’s time to call her next of kin.”

“I am her next of kin.”

“No, you’re her ex-fiancé, Kade,” Aspen interrupts. Her tone is dry. “We know how much you love her, and that you’d give your life for her. But there are rules. Her parents have to be notified.”

I look around the room and then stare at Sadie. Andrew and Catherine are unpredictable.

“Her parents aren’t reliable,” I inform them. “What if they don’t show?”

“It would be up to the legal department and social service to decide the course of treatment if her parents don’t show,” Brynn responded.

“If they come and want to kick me out, can they?”

“They could since you two don’t have any legal relationship,” Aspen responds. “But you do have an ace under your sleeve. This handsome boy.”

“Yes,” Brynn nods. “But we need proof that he’s yours.”

“He’s mine,” I groan, filled with anger.

“We don’t doubt it, but his grandparents can’t kick you out from his side if you have documentation that supports the claim.”

“Are you suggesting I get a paternity test?”

“That’s the best way to establish a legal bind to the baby—and Sadie. It guarantees that you’ll take him with you when he’s ready to go home.”

“But she’s going to wake up,” I insist.

“You have to have a backup plan. Kieran is reaching his milestones at a fast pace. He might be ready to go home before Mom wakes up.”

A paternity test feels like betraying Sadie. She’s going to think that I doubted her. I know in my heart that he’s our boy. Ours. Use your head, not your heart.

“Let’s do it today.”

It only took a day for the lab to deliver the results. There was no doubt that Kieran’s mine. But with proof, I was able to fill out the hospital paperwork to obtain his birth certificate. Duncan found me the best lawyer who can represent me in case I have to fight for custody with Sadie’s parents.

The legal counselor told me that I don’t have any legal rights to her. However, if her parents try to pull her off life support, I could file for custody before the hospital takes any action. A fight I wouldn’t win, but that would give her time to recover. A legal battle like that could take anywhere from months to years. The lawyer knew how to work the system in my favor if it ever came to that.

“Everything will be fine,” I assure Kieran who’s staring at me. “You’re growing bigger and stronger every day. The hospital is giving us a few more days before they call your grandparents.”

The CT scan showed that the swelling is almost gone. In a week the doctors are going to wind down the sedatives.

“’Give it time,’ is their favorite phrase,” I say annoyed with the situation. “That along with, ‘Wait. You have to be patient.’”

I can be patient, but I feel like I’m running out of time. My instincts tell me to take my family out of here and hide. I’ve been in the middle of a legal battle. It took me two years to win joint custody of my girls. For two years, I had to have supervised visits every other weekend.

“They won’t do that to us,” I promise Kieran. “We’re in this together, buddy. No matter what, I’m going to be with you—and with your mom.”

My phone buzzes several times. Someone’s sending multiple texts. Any other day I’d ignore it, but what if the girls are stranded in some city in Europe because their mother forgot them?

The screen is filled with missed calls from Jax, Kevin, and Duncan. I slide my thumb through the screen and check Duncan’s first.

Jax: Dude, answer your phone.

Jax: Where are you?

Jax: Answer your fucking phone, we have an emergency.

Hades: I’m at the hospital with Sadie and Kieran.

Jax: Finally. I’m on my way. We have a problem.

Hades: Sadie and the baby are in the hospital. Fix whatever you need to fix.

Jax: That’s the problem.

Hades: What do you mean?

Jax: See you in a few minutes. Meet me outside their room.

“Let me see what uncle Jax wants.” I kiss Kieran’s forehead and place him back in the plastic crib. “Promise to make it back before feeding time.”

Unfortunately, he’s allergic to milk and soy like Sadie. However, there’s a formula that’s made for babies like him. And Kieran loves it.

This little man has me wrapped around his finger. Leaving him alone breaks me inside, but I head outside to the hall where I find Jax already waiting.

“What’s going on?”

“Shit’s been going down,” he explains. “I know your girl and your kid are in the hospital. I tried to take care of everything, but you have to be ready.”

He hands me his phone. I gasp when I see the picture of a pick-up truck smashed against the flower shop’s van. Scrolling with my finger, I read the headline. Kaden Hades is in jail. Sources close to the rock star say he’s hired the best legal team in the city to represent him. His fiancée, whose name hasn’t yet been released, was killed in the accident. The couple’s newborn baby is fighting for her life in the hospital.

“What the fuck?” I look at him, and he shrugs. “These are lies.”

I scroll down more and find an old mugshot of me.

“Where’s this one from?”

“The time they arrested us in Houston for starting a fight.”

“That was ten years ago,” I protest.

“Thirteen,” he corrects me. “That’s why the image was trimmed. They cut off the county and date.”

“I’m suing,” I say, massaging my temples. “Can you get me a lawyer?”

“The PR and legal teams are working on it already. They’re suing all the media sources that are spreading the fake news about the accident and your whereabouts.”

I sigh with relief. “Then it’ll be taken care of?”

The calm only lasts a few beats. I rub my neck and stare at Jax. “How viral is this?”

“Wide. We have fans from all over the world messaging us about this. Twitter, Facebook … you name it.”

I pace around the room. The week I thought I had is gone. No matter where Sadie’s parents are, they’re going to find out about this soon. My daughters too. Alicia’s going to find a way to make this about her. How did the press get ahold of the story?

“Who leaked this?”

“They’re investigating the hospital personnel.” He pinches his lips together, staring at the door. “The band, our friends, and the few people who knew about it wouldn’t talk. We’re just as protective of your private life as we are of our own.”

“I know. I wouldn’t accuse any of you.”

“It says that I killed Sadie and my newborn child is fighting for his life. That’s messed up.” My voice echoes against the walls. “Does this mean that the police are coming to interrogate me? I can’t leave the hospital to clear my name.”

“Dude, calm down.” He pats my shoulder.

“The team is working on this. I came to see you because you need to know what’s going on. We distributed a press release and uploaded it to the website. I tweeted it from my account and the band’s account. We posted it on Facebook too.”

I pull out my phone and check the band’s Twitter.

The Killing Hades family appreciates your concern for our bandmate. We ask for your prayers in these difficult moments. Kaden was in California when the unfortunate accident occurred, but he’s currently by his fiancée’s side and caring for his newborn.

I browse through the messages sending love, prayers, and support.

“It’s not as bad as I thought,” I breathe the words with some relief. “But what about the police?”

“Dude, when I said that I’d take care of everything, I meant it. The other driver died at the scene of the accident. He had a heart attack.”

“What?”

“It was a freak accident—wrong place, wrong time—fucked up shit.”

“What about the press?”

“Unfortunately, they’re parked outside the hospital.”

“Fuck!” I groan.

“Daddy!”

My heart stops when I hear Hannah’s voice. I turn around and find my daughters making their way toward me.

“What are you doing here?” I arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms.

I frown, looking at my two girls dressed casually in jeans and sweatshirts. They were in Europe less than twenty-four hours ago.

“How long since the news broke?” I ask Jax.

“Yesterday, why?”

“Why are you here?” I ask the girls again.

“She wanted to come,” Tess sneers, staring at Hannah. “The accident was all over the news. I called your manager, and he said that you were here at the hospital with her.”

“I wanted to see you, Dad.” Hannah hugs me. “Are you okay?”

“It says on his webpage that he’s fine and he’s with them,” Tess says.

The venom she spits makes my heart hurt.

“Is it true?” Hannah stares at me. “We have a little sister?”

Before I answer their questions, I have some of my own. I spoke to them less than twenty-four hours ago. They were in Barcelona and going to Portugal. “When did you arrive?”

Hannah gasps, covering her mouth. Her face is red and her eyes downcast.

“Where is your mother?”

Tess rolls her eyes. “France, Spain … I can’t remember her itinerary.”

“But you’re here.”

“She didn’t take us with her.” Hannah’s words rush out, as she watches her sister. “We’ve been with grandma and grandpa since she left.”

I run a hand through my hair. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Alicia abandoned our daughters with her parents while she’s on vacation.

Before I explode, Jax places a hand on my shoulder and shakes his head. “Cool it. It’s not their fault.”

“What am I supposed to do now?” I bite back the anger.

I paid for a trip to Europe, and yet, they never went. I should’ve taken them with me on tour. But I couldn’t. It was too fast paced for them to accompany me. I feel like a big failure because I have no fucking idea what I’m going to do. The girls are here. I’m the one who should be with them, not their grandparents. I turn to the room where Sadie and my baby are waiting for me. My head explodes.

“You’ve been lying to me,” I force myself to control the anger. Though the words come out tight and harsh.

“Mom told us—”

“Hannah, stop, or you’re going to get us in trouble. I told you this was a bad idea.”

“But I wanted to see if Dad was okay, and … Sadie. They said she died.” Her chin quivers and her eyes water. “Is she okay?”

I close my eyes, taking several deep breaths.

“Sadie’s in a coma.”

“So, she’s going to die,” Tess looks at her hand, admiring her nails. “See, Hannah, he’s fine. We can go now.”

“Can I see her?” Hannah requests.

“Hannah, we need to go.”

“You don’t like her, I get it,” Hannah fumes. “But I love her. She loves us.”

Hannah touches the unicorn necklace that Sadie gave her when she turned nine. “Can I please see her?”

“I’m sure Sadie would be happy to hear your voice,” I assure her.

Sadie adores my girls. She forged a strong bond with Hannah from the beginning. The way she looked after my girls made me love Sadie even more.

“Follow me, Pumpkin.”

I hand her the scrubs, show her where to wash her hands, and give her instructions.

“Who is that?” Hannah points at the crib.

“His name is Kieran,” I whisper. “He’s your baby brother.”

Hannah approaches the crib and smiles at him. “Why does he have that tube up his nose?”

“To help him breathe. He was born a few weeks too early.”

When I turn around, I spot Tess standing at the corner of the bed staring at Sadie. Her eyes are closed, and shoulders slumped. I don’t understand if she’s angry, sad, or just desperate to get out of here. Our relationship shifted after she tried to kill herself. She’s a closed book. She seeks attention but pushes me away when I get too close.

The day she tried to kill herself, I lost my little girl, my fiancée, and the chance to have a family. With all the people I love in one room, I wonder if we can heal or if I’m going to have to split myself in half for the rest of my life.

“Did she tell you about the baby?” Tess asks, turning her back to me.

“No, I had no idea.”

“What would you have done if she did?”

“That question makes no sense, Tess. I won’t dwell on the past.”

“Mom said you wouldn’t want us anymore,” Tess confesses. “That once you had a new family, you’d forget us.”

“She lied to you, Tess.”

“Mom said that I only had one chance to end it before you left us. But Sadie’s back.”

“What are you talking about Tess?”

“Nothing.” She turns toward Sadie.

“Dad, is Sadie going to die?” Hannah holds my hand, tears pouring down her cheeks.

“What will happen to the baby if she dies?” Tess bites her lip. “He’s going to be all alone. You’re always busy with us. Will you send him to a foster home like they did with you?”

“You wouldn’t give him away, Dad, would you?” Hannah sobs even harder.

“Of course not. Tess, Kieran is your brother. He’s my son. He’s going to be a big part of your life. I won’t leave him.”

“But if she survives you’ll leave them alone.”

“Tess, I love you, and I won’t leave you. No matter how much you push me, I won’t leave you.”

“But you’ll stay with them,” she says, glaring at me. “Do you know what this is going to do to Mom?”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind.” She leaves the room.

“What happened?” I stare at the door for several seconds.

“Hormones,” Hannah responds. “At least that’s what Grandpa says when she doesn’t make sense.

“Your grandpa should be looking into the problem, honey.” I kiss Hannah’s head. “Not just saying chauvinistic nonsense.”

“Grandpa is old. We have to understand his ways.”

She needs to stay away from those fucking prejudiced assholes, but how can I take them when I can’t care for them?

“You’ve been spending your summer with your grandfather and lying to me?”

“When you put it that way, it sounds bad.”

“It’s bad, Pumpkin. Your mother—” I sigh because I hate talking shit about her in front of the girls. “She knows better than leave you with your grandparents without notifying me.”

I’m at a loss. Alicia shouldn’t leave the girls with her parents for that long without consulting me. The girls lied to me under her orders. They’ve been playing me. I shove my hands into my pockets and stare at Sadie.

Babe, wake up. We have a fucking mess on our hands.