Chapter 22: Hannah is Awake!

"What happened?" Nichole asked, rushing to Max's side.

"I'm such an idiot," he said, holding his hand close to his chest. "I tried to punch the wall, and I just ended up hurting myself." Nichole reached for his hand, inspecting it. "Let me get you some ice," she said, heading to the kitchen.

When she returned, Max was sitting on the floor, his head in his hands. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice breaking.

"I'm just trying to do the right thing," Max said, frustration rising in his voice. "I don't understand why it has to be so difficult." Nichole's eyes flashed.

"The right thing for who?" she demanded. "For you or for those kids?"

"I just want to make sure they're taken care of," Max said, his voice rising. "It's the least I can do."

Nichole shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger.

"The least you can do?" she asked, her voice hard. "Have you even stopped to think about what they want?"

Max hesitated, his expression uncertain. "Of course I've thought about what they want," he