Richard nodded once and stepped back toward the house without looking at his wife again.

I turned on my left heel to walk toward the driver’s door of the SUV in the driveway, ready to put in Noah’s seat and load my things.

The moment my right foot hit the concrete, a sickening, hot bolt of pain shot straight through my ankle and up into my knee.

My leg gave out completely under my weight, my knee buckling sideways before I could brace myself.

My dad caught my upper left arm in an instant, holding me up with effortless strength while keeping Noah cradled securely against his chest.