Aaron had been unable to concentrate on work all morning. He was too nervous; the date was weighing heavily on him. Since the beginning of May, he'd been increasingly distraught, feeling that his time with his wife was about to be cut short again.

He knew it was illogical, but he couldn't shake the feeling. He'd be fine once tomorrow arrived. Keeley would get through the day, just as her father had two years prior.

While logging onto the internet to check something for a report, a breaking news banner flashed across his screen: a massive car wreck involving nine vehicles and multiple fatalities on the Long Island Expressway.

He'd been too numb after Keeley's death to remember much about it, but it was supposedly one of the worst accidents in New York City history. He'd forgotten it was the anniversary of that tragedy today. A seemingly insignificant car accident elsewhere in the city had consumed him entirely. But he wasn't the only one who'd lost a loved one in an accident on June 16th, 2019.

Needing a distraction, he texted Jennica: "How are the kids?"

Her reply: "They're not with me. I had to take Noah to the dentist."

Panic seized him. Not with her? Where were they? Who were they with? The only people Keeley might have taken them to midday were Nova or Alice—both of whom lived on Long Island.

Aaron stared at the screen, horrified. No. He was overthinking. It was too horrific a coincidence for his wife to die in a car accident twice on the same day. She probably took them to Nova's, as she was closer.

He was about to text Nova when Keeley's phone rang. He answered immediately.

"Sweetheart, how did the doctor's appointment go?" he asked, trying to sound casual. She didn't need to know how far his thoughts had strayed. She was already annoyed by his paranoia.

"Is this Keeley Hale's husband?" an unfamiliar male voice responded.

Aaron's blood ran cold. No. No way. Not again. This couldn't be happening again!

"Yes. Where is she? What happened?" he demanded, his heart pounding.

"Mr. Hale, your wife was in an accident on the Long Island Expressway. She's undergoing emergency treatment and is en route to North Shore University Hospital. She asked me to call you before losing consciousness."

Emergency treatment. She was alive. She'd asked for him. A flicker of hope ignited in his chest, though panic threatened to overwhelm him.

Even in this horrific situation, Keeley's first concern was his well-being. His heart ached. It took him over a minute, in his panic, to remember she was pregnant. His only concern had been the woman he loved.

"Is she going to be okay? Is the baby going to be okay?"

A monitor beeped frantically in the background, and the paramedic's voice grew strained. "I have to go, Mr. Hale. Please come to the hospital immediately."

"Wait—!" The call ended.

He rushed out the door, forgetting his wallet and keys, nearly knocking over Aiden, who was entering.

"Boss man, what's the rush?"

"Don't talk to me, I have to go!" he yelled.

Frantically, he patted his pockets. Wallet. Keys. He needed them to drive.

He spun back around, retrieved them from his coat pocket, and dashed out again. Aiden grabbed his wrist. Aaron was about to punch his friend for delaying him when Aiden took his keys.

"You're not thinking straight. I'll drive; tell me where to go," Aiden said firmly.

Aaron numbly got into the car but sobbed uncontrollably once they were alone.

"What happened?" Aiden asked gently.

Aaron spoke haltingly through his sobs. Aiden barely understood him. "Someone called me…Keeley…accident…they hung up…beeping…I'm going to lose her…again…I can't…"

His sobs intensified. He knew something was going to happen today. He knew it, and he couldn't protect her.

How could he live without her a second time? How had Robert done it? How had he raised his daughter after losing his world in an instant? The twins needed him, but he couldn't go on without her.

"Calm down, dude. I need to know which hospital."

Aaron managed to tell him before breaking down again. Keeley. Keeley. She couldn't leave him again. Not again.

At the hospital, Aiden had to practically drag Aaron—already convinced his wife was dead—to the emergency room.

"Look," he told the receptionist angrily when she refused to give information. "I don't care about procedures or how busy you are. My friend is having a panic attack because he thinks his wife is dead, and I need to know what happened to her RIGHT NOW."

Aaron had never heard Aiden so forceful. He was truly looking out for his friend. But Aaron was too consumed by grief to fully appreciate it.

"Keeley Hale is in surgery," the woman sighed. "That's all I know. They can't treat her injuries until the baby is delivered, if it's still alive. Now please, have a seat."

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