Levi's POV
I have sat here in the hospital hallway like a man hewn from rock.
Staring at the floor. Hearing nothing. Existing, but not existing. Waiting by myself.
Waiting for something. Anything.
For Nova to wake up.
For the guilt to end.
For the nightmare to finish.
But I just stood there, my own world reduced to this lone square of linoleum and the relentless beeping from Nova's room.
"She's not pregnant." Four little words from the doctor had kindled something bitter and cold raging inside me. My fists were still clenched, on my knees, to strangle the truth out of a person.
The knuckles were white hours earlier but I could not let go of my hands. If Felicia were standing before me today.
The door behind me groaned open and I didn't even need to look up. I recognized that same combination of designer cologne and stale aftershave, the deliberate, measured step of feet that commanded respect even in quiet.
"Levi."
My grandfather.
He stopped immediately in f
