Chapter 85

Ramon POV

Dr. Martinez nodded and moved to examine Troy, asking quiet questions about what had happened, where he’d been, if he was in any pain. Troy answered in monosyllables, his eyes never leaving Ollie.

“The baby?” Rhodes asked, and his voice cracked on the word. “Is the baby okay?”

Dr. Martinez pulled out a portable fetal doppler from his bag. “Let’s check,” he said gently.

The sound of the heartbeat filled the room—fast, strong, steady. Unmistakably alive.

Rhodes made a sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh, his hand finding Troy’s and gripping it tightly. “That’s our baby,” he said, his voice full of wonder despite everything. “Troy, that’s our baby.”

Troy’s face crumpled. “I almost killed our baby,” he whispered. “I almost went through with it. If you hadn’t found me—”

“But I did find you,” Rhodes said firmly. “We found you, and you’re safe, and the baby’s safe, and we’re going to figure all of this out together. Okay?”