Four months later
Claire paced around Emma's office, phone clutched in her hand, and eyes wide with worry.
"I swear, Em, she sounded breathless. She didn't even finish her sentence before the call cut off!" Claire said, rushing to grab her bag.
Emma, already slipping on her flats, tried to calm her. "Okay, let's not panic. We'll get there and see what's wrong. Margaret's strong, remember?"
Claire nodded quickly, but her hands trembled a little as she grabbed her car keys. They hurried out the door, hearts racing.
The drive to Alex's was quiet, filled only with the hum of the engine and the pounding of concern in their chests. When they finally pulled into the driveway, Claire didn't even wait for the car to stop properly before she jumped out and ran to the front door.
"Maggie!" she called as she pushed the door open.
But what she saw made her stop in her tracks.
