Carolina had finally come home.

Gracie instantly shrank back against the headboard, her face going pale with dread. “Dad, please don’t let her see us,” she whispered, barely a breath.

Sawyer didn’t wait for another word. He carefully scooped his daughter into his arms, making sure not to put any pressure on her injured back.

As they walked into the narrow hallway, they collided with Carolina, who was clutching a grocery bag in one hand and her phone in the other.

Her annoyed expression vanished instantly, replaced by confusion that quickly hardened into pure suspicion.

“What do you think you’re doing, carrying her around like that, Sawyer?”