342 THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY OUT

The sterile scent of disinfectant clung to Ethan like a second skin as he practically bolted out of the hospital doors. Madison, heels clicking a frantic rhythm against the polished floor, hurried after him. "Ethan, wait!" she called, breathless. "We need to talk about this." He spun on his heel, his jaw clenched tight. The fluorescent lights overhead glinted off the moisture in his eyes. "There's nothing to talk about, Madison. You heard me." "But you can't just leave me here!" she protested, her voice tight with a mixture of hurt and anger. "What about Aiden and Caden?" "They'll be fine," he snapped, his voice laced with a raw emotion that sent shivers down Madison's spine. "You can stay and watch them. Just leave Keisha and me out of it." Madison's chest was constricted. This wasn't Ethan. The man who always put his family first, the one who championed honesty and communication, was now a stranger, his icy blue eyes reflecting a pain she couldn't fathom. "Ethan, please," she p