“Of course,” he replied softly, wheeling her towards the hallway that led to her room. Every step away from the living room felt like a mile, but he knew he couldn’t leave his mother unprotected.

As they reached Margaret’s room, Ethan ensured she was comfortable and secure, his heart aching at the sight of her vulnerability. “I’ll be right back,” he promised, brushing a tear from her cheek. She gave him a small nod, trusting him to handle the chaos he’d stumbled into.

Returning to the living room, Ethan found Olivia sitting on the sofa, her face a mixture of defiance and guilt. He stood across from her, arms crossed, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.