The black sheep-One

Mara was finally awake, resting in the Shepherd mansion. The accident had left her unconscious for days, and though she was now stable, the family had insisted she recover under their care. 

Ethan had tried to take her from the hospital while she was still unconscious, his desperation to protect her driving him to make reckless decisions. But Steph and his mother had intervened, their calm but firm words cutting through his panic. 

"You won't win her back by taking her like this," Mrs. Anderson had said, her voice steady. "She needs time, Ethan. Let her heal."

Now, with Mara safely at the mansion, Ethan was left in the dark. He had no news of her condition, no way to reach her. The Shepherd family had closed ranks with their gate heavily guarded.