As soon as Ivy reached the hospital, she rushed inside, her heart pounding as she searched for Emma. Claire had already told her where to go, and she didn't waste a second.
The sterile smell of antiseptic filled her nostrils, but she barely registered it. All she could focus on was getting to Emma.
Then, she saw her.
Emma sat in a corner of the waiting area, her body trembling, her face buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook violently with silent sobs, her entire frame looking so small, so fragile, so utterly broken.
Because of the weight of guilt pressing on her, she had excused Alex and everyone else after Chris arrived so she could catch a moment.
"Emma…" Ivy called softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Emma's head shot up at the familiar voice, and the moment her tear-filled eyes met Ivy's, a choked sob tore from her throat. She stood abruptly, and Ivy barely had time to brace herself before Emma threw herself into her arms.
