Chapter 49

Ramon POV

“We’ll figure it out,” Elena promised, already moving toward the door. She paused beside me, her free hand reaching out to squeeze my arm. “Help him,” she said quietly. “Whatever happened, whatever he did—he needs you right now.”

I nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat. Elena carried Ollie out of the room, her soft crooning following them down the hallway as she tried to soothe away his distress with grandmother magic and promises of sweet bread.

The room felt cavernous in their absence, the silence broken only by the muffled sounds coming from behind the bathroom door. I could hear water running now—not the gentle sound of a shower, but the harsh spray of water hitting tile at full force. And underneath it, barely audible, the broken sounds of someone trying very hard not to fall apart completely.

I crossed the room slowly, my feet silent on the plush carpet. The bathroom door was locked, but I could see light spilling from