#25: Silent Ride Back
When Stacy finally stirred, her first words were firm—she wanted to go home. Jamie helped her carefully to the car, his arm steadying her frail frame. The air between them was heavy, thick with everything unsaid. Even Lauren stayed quiet, clutching her mother’s hand tightly.
The drive was tense, each of them trapped in their own thoughts. Jamie longed to demand answers, but one look at Stacy’s pale face silenced him. His fury faded into worry. Something had happened to her while he was gone, and he needed to know what.