Chapter 223

Summer's POV When we arrived, Ethan met us at the door, his normally stoic expression softened with relief. "Aria's in her room," he said, nodding to me. "Dr. Marshall checked her over. Physically, she's fine—just some rope burns on her wrists and ankles." "And emotionally?" Alexander asked, his voice tight. Ethan's expression darkened. "She's scared. Keeps asking for both of you." We didn't need to hear more. Within moments, we were both rushing up the stairs toward Aria's room. I reached her door first, gently pushing it open to find my daughter curled up in her bed, clutching her favorite stuffed wolf. "Mommy!" she cried, scrambling out of bed and launching herself into my arms. "Daddy!" I caught her, holding her tight against my chest as Alexander wrapped his arms around us both. For a long moment, we just stood there, a family reunited, breathing each other in. "I was so scared," Aria whispered against my neck, her small body trembling. "The mean lady said you were bad... that you