Sally's POV
Philip exhales heavily, dragging both hands through his dark hair. "Don't stress about Warren right now. We'll handle getting him settled properly. You need to stay put and try to calm down," he tells me before heading after Karl.
"Thank you," I attempt to respond, though my words emerge barely audible as my thoughts begin their familiar downward spiral.
The threatening phrases from Billy's letter replay endlessly in my head, each word cutting deeper than the last.
I don't realize my entire body is trembling until Sean steps closer. He settles carefully on the mattress edge, moving with deliberate slowness. His expression grows tender, and his voice drops to something soothing and controlled.
"Look at me," he says quietly. "Match my breathing."
"I can't do this." The words fracture as they leave my throat, my lungs constricting. "This is overwhelming. He cannot take Warren away from me, Sean. I won't allow him to..."
