Her school uniform clung to her thin body, dark with water. A puddle spread beneath her feet onto the rug. Her hair stuck to her pale cheeks. Her lips were tinted blue. Her eyes were half-open, unfocused, as if staying awake required effort she no longer had.
For a second, Ethan couldn’t breathe.
He dropped to his knees and touched her face.
Ice-cold.
Not cool. Not chilly.
Cold in a way that felt wrong.
“Dad…” Lily whispered. “I’m freezing.”
“I’ve got you. I’m here,” he said, his voice breaking. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He lifted her carefully. Her wet clothes were heavy, pulling her down as if the water itself didn’t want to let go. The expensive fabric of his suit absorbed the cold immediately.
He didn’t care.
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