She had been carrying a child while trapped in

Daniel turned, startled.

“Hey—what are you doing here?” he asked gently, seeing the tiny girl beside his wife’s bed.

Lily looked up at him with calm, steady eyes.

“My grandma says this can help her,” she said softly, lifting the jar. “It’s special soil… from where she grew up.”

Daniel almost stopped her.

But then—

He noticed something.

Emily’s breathing… felt different.

Slightly deeper.

Softer.

Alive.