Ivy crumpled to the floor, the knife slipping from her grasp as blood pooled around her. Jared's breath came in ragged gasps, his hands shaking as he stared at her motionless body. He hadn't wanted it to end this way. But there had been no other choice.
Lianna let out a soft cry, bringing Jared back to the present. He tucked his gun away, kneeling beside Ivy's body to check for a pulse. She was alive, but barely. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes glazed over as she stared up at the ceiling.
"Ivy," Jared said quietly, "it's over. You need to let go."
But there was no response. Ivy's eyes drifted shut, her body going limp as unconsciousness claimed her. Jared didn't wait around to see if she would wake up. He scooped Lianna into his arms and made his way out of the warehouse, his heart pounding with the urgency to get the baby to safety.
