“Hey. Not yet.”
Victoria reopened them.
And strangely, she smiled.
Barely.
But she smiled.
—
The captain diverted Flight 2247 to Denver.
For the next twenty-seven minutes, Ethan remained on the floor beside Victoria.
He monitored her breathing.
Checked her pulse.
Kept her talking.
“What were you traveling for?” he asked.
Victoria managed a tired expression.
“Meeting.”
“Important?”
“They’re all supposedly important.”
“Family?”
A hesitation.
“No.”
“Husband?”
“No.”
“Children?”
Her eyes changed.
“No.”
Ethan nodded without judgment.
Victoria looked at his worn flannel shirt.
“And you?”
“My daughter.”
“I saw her.”
“She’s eight.”
“She looked terrified.”
“She’s seen enough hospitals.”
Victoria noticed the way his voice changed.
“You were a doctor.”
Ethan looked at her.
