Earlier this year

That moment shattered my world into a million pieces. I cling to Jo as tears continue to fall, and my shoulders shake uncontrollably with each sob that escapes my lips.

Mom hugs Jo from the other side, and her cries mingle with mine. Abuela sits on the edge of the bed, resting her head on Jo"s legs as she weeps.

The room is heavy with our pain, and the sound of our collective cries fills the air.

Jo"s hospital gown is damp from our tears, but he doesn't seem to mind. He just keeps whispering that everything will be okay. His soothing voice and mere presence have the power to ease my pain and calm my racing thoughts, and it's the source of comfort and reassurance that I desperately need.

A doctor"s voice interrupts our moment, pulling me away from Jo"s embrace. I look toward the kind-looking doctor standing at the door and holding a clipboard. He flashes us a warm smile and directs his attention toward Jo. "How are you feeling, Jo?" he asks softly.

Jo clears his throat. "I"m feeling much better," he says, his voice sounding hoarse but filled with relief.

"Good, I"m glad to hear that," the doctor says, his voice gentle.

My eyes wander toward Jo"s face, and I can"t help but notice how much weight he has lost. His face looks thinner, and the dark shadows underneath his eyes and his dry, chapped lips tell a story of the suffering he went through while I was trying to move forward.

"Stop, Sade," Jo says in a firm tone, but there"s a noticeable crack in his voice like before. He can sense what I"m thinking, and that I blame myself for everything that has happened to him. A lump forms in my throat, and I tuck my lower lip inside my mouth, trying to hold back my emotions. I nod and force myself to sit beside him.

The doctor walks further into the room, his face calm and reassuring. He approaches the bed and stands in front of Jo, looking at him with a friendly expression. He takes a glance at the chart in his hand before continuing. "I want to let you know that we have received your test results. The tests show that you are severely malnourished, and you have developed extensive sores on your body, which is normal given the situation that you were in. The sores will need to be treated, and we"ll need to gradually reintroduce proper nutrition to rebuild your strength," the doctor explains. "We"ll keep you here for at least a week until your body is stabilized. But you"ll be back on your feet in no time."

The doctor continues to explain Jo"s medications and when he can be released. Before leaving the room, the doctor asks Jo, "Do you have any questions for me?"

Jo shakes his head. The doctor gives a reassuring smile to all of us and leaves, closing the door softly behind him.

When they brought Jo in, the handcuffs were so tight that the skin on his wrists and ankles became raw, and the soles of his feet were covered in painful sores due to the lack of shoes to protect them from the dirty ground.

I take his hand in mine without realizing it, and my fingers move gently over the white bandage wrapped around it. My mind is racing with ways to help Jo get through this. As I sit lost in my own thoughts, Jo gives me a reassuring squeeze. "I"m alright, sis," he says, voice calm and steady. "Everything is going to be okay."

I glance at him and force a smile, but my voice is only a whisper when I reply. "None of this is okay, Jo." It pains me to think what he went through without the support of his family to protect him.

I inhale the crisp and refreshing night breeze as we make our way toward the house. My mother planned to spend the night at the hospital, leaving Donnie and Ash to drive Sophia, Abuela, and me back home.

A wave of relief washes over me as I push the door open. It was an exhausting day at the hospital, and my feet were killing me. I can't stop thinking about Jo. I had a hard time leaving him after finally getting him back, but I knew he needed the rest.

Donnie whispers, "Don"t worry, I"ll put her to bed," as he holds Sophia close to his chest, breaking me from my thoughts. Her tiny head rests in the crook of his neck, and she snores softly. Donnie carefully walks down the hallway to tuck her into her crib.

Abuela enters the living room and places her purse in the closet. "I"m going to bed," she says softly in Spanish, weariness etched on her face. Her hand brushes over my cheek, and a sad smile plays on her lips. I cannot help but notice the depth of pain that is reflected in her eyes. She has always harbored a soft spot for Jo who, as a young boy, was forced to shoulder the responsibility of protecting his family, a burden no child should ever bear.Anger had become his constant companion, but that very emotion saved him from the perils of his recent circumstances. I know that Abuela has always held herself responsible for not taking us out of that environment, but now, having come to learn about the kind of people Papi was involved with, I'm grateful that she never did. I shudder to think about what could have happened to her if she had intervened.

As Ash comes to stand behind me, Abuela glances over my shoulder. Smiling, she extends her arms to him. "Thank you for giving us a ride back home."

Ash responds with a weary tone, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "You"re welcome, Abuela." I love how Donnie and Ash both effortlessly fit into her life.

"Okay, she"s all tucked in," Donnie says, suddenly appearing. He"s leaning against the doorframe that separates the living room and the hallway leading to the bedroom.

As I take him in, my attention is immediately drawn to his light gray Vanderbilt shirt that fits him like a glove, accentuating the contours of his broad chest. I can"t help but admire the bulging muscles in his arms as he places them firmly across his chest. But what truly captivates me about him is his love for my little girl. The way he dotes on her and protects her with every fiber of his being is evidence of his devotion. He is my best friend and soulmate, and he completes me in every sense.

I look at him with appreciation, and my lips curl into a smile. "Thank you," I tell him.

He acknowledges my words with a gentle nod and a sexy grin, exposing his dimples.

Abuela turns to Donnie, and her lips curve upward into a warm smile, "And you," she says, extending her finger toward him. Donnie meets her halfway, pulling her into his arms and receiving a warm kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for loving my girls," Abuela says affectionately, and Donnie"s eyes shift to me from over her head. "Always," he whispers, loud enough for me to hear, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

Abuela has a tired smile on her face as she looks back and forth between Ash and Donnie. Everyone's emotions are running high after today. She speaks up again, her voice firm and resolute. "I want both of you to stay here tonight." Before they can protest, she raises her hand, silencing them. "No arguments," she says in Spanish. "You had a long day too. This day affected you as much as it did us. Please stay the night for my peace of mind, so I know you are both safe."

They exchange a glance before nodding in agreement. "Good," Abuela says with a satisfied nod. Then she asks me, "Mija, can you make their beds in the living room?"

"Of course." I gently smile. "Go to sleep. I"ll see you in the morning."

As she makes her way toward her room, I notice the heaviness in her movements. Her shoulders droop with exhaustion, and each step she takes seems slower than the last. The door creaks slightly as she pulls it shut.

Once I know she's getting comfortable in her room, I quickly set up the couch for Donnie and Ash with a soft pillow and warm blanket. I glance at the guys. "Are you sure you"ll be fine?" I ask, feeling bad that they don"t have a proper bed. I would have offered Jo"s room, but they might find it awkward, and I don"t want to make them uncomfortable.

"Don"t worry, baby," Donnie assures me, pulling me closer to him.

"Yeah, we"ll be just fine, Shorty," Ash chimes in as he sets a pillow on the couch. He looks at me and flashes a mischievous grin. "I can"t think of a better place tocrash for the night." He winks at me and walks over, playfully tugging me away from Donnie, who growls in response.

Ash chuckles and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Love you, Shorty," he whispers.

"Love you too, Ash," I reply, giving him a warm hug before letting go.

I say goodnight to Ash and turn off the lights. Donnie trails behind me, following me down the hall. As soon as we walk into my room, a sudden heaviness overcomes my body, and my mind remains restless. I sluggishly make my way to my bed and sink into it, releasing a deep exhale as I replay the day"s events in my head. The silence in the room is only broken by the sound of my breathing as I lie there, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Donnie lies beside me and we stare at the ceiling together. Tears threaten to spill as I struggle to contain the whirlwind of emotions brewing inside me. My chest feels like a ticking time bomb, ready to detonate. Donnie"s quiet presence envelops me like a protective shield, keeping me safe from its explosive contents that are waiting to be unleashed.

It is as if he has the power to silence the noise in my head and soothe the turmoil inside me, just like he used to when we were kids. With him near, I feel whole again, like all my broken pieces are coming together. The tears I held back slowly begin to spill down my cheeks.

Donnie remains still, allowing my tears to flow without interruption. He understands that pain is sometimes too deep for words alone to heal it. His arm finds its way around me, pulling me close as I curl into him, seeking solace and comfort.

As my cries begin to subside, my eyelids start to droop, and I find the peace of sleep.

A FEW NIGHTS LATER

With Sophia in my arms, I walk down the hospital hallway toward Jo"s room. The soft sound of my footsteps echoes off the walls. As I turn the corner, I notice Abbey, the nurse who has cared for our family for the last few months, standing at the nurses" station while on a phone call. With a gentle smile, she looks up. Her eyes light up, and her warm smile widens as she sends me a playful wink.

My focus shifts to my daughter, who responds with a playful spit bubble. "Are you ready to see Tio Jo?" I ask her, playfully tickling her tummy. She giggles and wiggles her legs with excitement.

I knock on Jo"s door and hear him say, "Come in."

I push the door open slowly, peeking inside like a mischievous child. "Hey, Jo," I say and step further into the room.

The shades are wide open, allowing the warm, natural sunlight to pour in. Jo is sitting on the bed, looking much better than he has the last few days. His hair is freshly washed, his face shaven, and he"s wearing his favorite black T-shirt. He has the blankets pulled up to his waist, and he's scrolling through his phone.

Jo glances up from it, and his eyebrows raise along with his smile at the sight of Sophia in my arms. "Finally. There"s my girl," he says as he reaches out to take her from me, and as soon as she touches his chest, she snuggles into him. His smile grows wider as he holds her close.

I sit on Jo"s bed and turn so I'm facing him. Our eyes meet in a warm gaze. Jo clears his throat and speaks softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I listened to your voicemail." His words hang in the air for a moment, and I can hear the weight of his emotions behind them.

I reach into my purse, retrieving the letter Javi gave me that Jo wrote, and hold it up for Jo to see. "And I read your letter," I reply.

Javi gave me the letter after Jo"s funeral.

"I was asked to give this to you when the time was right." Javi hands me a sealed envelope. "I figured this was that time."

After reading Jo's letter for the first time, my eyes grew heavy, and my tears kept rolling down my cheeks. As I absorbed the words on the page, I could feel Jo"s fear, regret, and sadness emanating from the ink.

Dear Sade,

I know you have questions you want to ask. You"re not one to keep things secret, and you"re probably wondering why I never told you about Javi, our half-brother. I wish we could have talked about all of this in person, but this letter will have to do for now in case anything was to happen to me.

I understand if you"re feeling hesitant about trusting someone you don"t know, but you won't have to worry about that with Javi. Javi has earned my trust, and I know he will have your best interests at heart. Sade, I would never put you in danger and leave you unprotected.

I can only imagine the thoughts running through your mind right now. And get that shit out of your head about him replacing me. Our bond is too strong for anyone to break it. You have room in your heart for him too. I know you do.

You are a kick-ass mother, Sade, and I have always been proud of your love and strength in raising Sophia. I wish I could be there to witness her grow. I wish I could be there to see her take her first step, fight with you for the first time because she"s stubborn like her mother, go on her first date—no, that shit ain"t happening.

There are so many things I wanted to say to you in person, so many things left unsaid and unresolved. I failed you in many ways, and that failure weighs heavily on me. I would give anything to turn back the hands of time, to erase the pain and bring back the innocence we lost. If only I had done more to protect you and Mom, to shield you from the pain and heartache Papi caused. But as fucked up as it may sound, it made us stronger and stubborn as hell.

I don"t know what will happen to me, but you should know I love you so much. Even though I"m not there with you, I"ll keep an eye on you from wherever I go. Take care of Mom and Abuela. Forgive Mom, sis. We can"t waste time on regrets. Life is too short. Trust me, I know. We cannot change the past, Sade, but I hope you can find a way to make peace with it. It"s not easy and may take time, but you taught me to believe in the power of forgiveness. Move forward and seek a way to make amends, to mend the broken pieces of our family. I love you, Sade, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Rise above it all and shine. Go to college and live your dream. Let Donnie love you wholeheartedly. Keep crazy ass Tia, Seb, and the rest of the crew close. I am so proud of you and the young woman you have become. You are so strong and brave. I"m so fucking proud to be your brother.

Jo

"I was coming back home to you when it happened," Jo says quietly. I turn my head toward him, and I see Sophia babbling. She lightly pats his face and tries to stick her tiny fingers in his mouth. As he holds her hand, he manages to smile through his tears. He playfully nibbles on her fingers with his lips, eliciting a giggle from her.

As I remain silent, Jo directs his gaze toward me and continues. "The night I was arrested…" I take a deep breath, trying to steady my own emotions as I listen to him.

Not just the night he was arrested—the night he was taken.

Flashback

Josiah

I sit on the cushioned chair by the front desk and power up my phone. I have several messages from Hector, Donnie, Tia, and Sade. Loud voices ring out through the station before I get a chance to read them. I turn to my right and see four bikers ready to tear this place apart, along with everyone in the building. Detective Monroe leaves me alone to help the other officers control the crowd. He didn't even think twice or give me a second glance before he left.

I have to get the fuck out of here. There's too much noise and too many people. I'm going to lose my shit if I can't get away from the commotion. As I stand amid the fucking chaos and the assholes yelling, I spot a tiny gap in the crowd. Determined to make my escape, I take measured steps, careful not to bump into anyone or draw any unwanted attention, which is hard as fuck. My heart pounds in my chest as I weave in and out of the throngs of people, my eyes constantly darting around to ensure I'm not being followed.

I walk as far as my feet can carry me, and I end up at the park Sade and I used to go to. I showed her how to play horse for the first time at this park.

My phone vibrates in my hand. I look down to see a new voicemail from Sade.

I press play.

"Hey, Jo. It's me, Sade. Um, I miss you, and I'm really scared. I need you to come home. I'm not mad at you, okay? I just want you to come home." She sobs throughout her message. I'm about to hang up, assuming her message has ended, but then the message continues. Her next words nearly kill me.

"You matter, Jo. The world needs more men like you. Someone who is a protector. A hero. A good man. Please, please let me help you. I can't lose you, Jo. I can't. I won't survive it." She sniffles.

There's a silent pause before she speaks again. "Just come home. I love you, Jo. I love you so much. I'm so happy you're my brother." She cries, and my heart splits open all over again.

PRESENT-SADIE

He sighs deeply and looks at me with a pained expression. "Honestly, Sade, I didn"t want to live anymore after that night." He pauses for a moment before he continues. "The pain was just too much. And after everything that I"ve done to you?" He trails off, as if he's unable to finish the sentence.

He takes a deep breath and tries to compose himself, but the tears keep flowing. His lips tremble, and his eyes narrow, showing his vulnerability. "I took Papi's life. How can you come back from that?"

"Oh, Jo." The constriction in my chest is almost suffocating. The realization of the pain he must have endured is overwhelming. The depth of his sadness was enough to make him consider ending his life—a life that deserves to be cherished and protected.

Sophia lifts her head to gaze up at him with big, curious eyes, and she starts babbling as if she"s having a conversation with him. Jo smiles at her innocent chatter. Big tears slowly begin welling up in his eyes. Sophia pushes herself up to her tiny feet, wraps her little arms around his neck, and hugs him tightly. Jo holds Sophia even tighter and sobs rack his body.

Not soon after that, my eyes also fill up with tears.

"I'm so fucking sorry," he chokes out.

I use my sleeve to wipe away the tears streaming down my face. With a small, trembling smile, I say, "Please don"t blame yourself. You did everything in your power to protect Mom," I assure him. "I can"t even begin to imagine what you"re going through, Jo, but I know that accepting the situation will take time."

"It"s easier said than done, Sade." His voice trembles as he speaks.

"I know. But I will never judge you or blame you, and I will never hate you. We went to hell, survived, and climbed out with our souls intact."

He doesn"t say anything, but his face contorts with sadness, and the tear marks on his cheeks tell a story of heartbreak and regret. I can"t help but feel the pain along with him. I know he"s hurting, and I want nothing more than to ease his pain.

Sophia pulls away and looks at Jo. She leans in and plants a sloppy kiss on his lips, then turns to me and lets out a happy squeal. We join in, the sound filling the room with ease and comfort.

"My little unicorn," he says gently with a genuine smile. "You know exactly what I need, don't you?"

In response, Sophia releases a soft laugh and wraps her little arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder while facing me. I blow her a kiss, and she presses her lips against her palm and blows a kiss back in my direction.

"Your voicemail caused a shift in my path," Jo confesses suddenly. I listen intently, my heart breaking for him as I imagine the emotions he was fighting through that night.

"You still found it in your heart to forgive me. Even after I attacked you," he continues, his warm, whisky-colored eyes locked on mine.

"You weren't yourself, Jo. So, how could I blame you?"

"It doesn"t matter. Bipolar or not, I should"ve found a better way to handle my fucked-up moods."

"You weren't on your meds, Jo. You relapsed," I try to explain, but he shakes his head in disagreement.

"Sade, it doesn't matter. It happened and—"

"And it's over," I finish for him in a firm tone.

This has always been Jo's issue—constantly rehashing the mistakes he made that were outside his control. It happened. It sucks. But we move past it. What is the point of forgiveness if we dwell on all the bad shit? Besides, it shaped him into the man he is today—a humble king who will fight for those he loves.

He stares at me with a blank expression. "So that's it, huh?"

I nod, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I dust my hands together as if brushing off the matter. "Yep, it"s done," I say confidently. Jo looks at me with a hint of amusement, his lips curving into a cocky smirk.

We sat silently for a few minutes, both becoming lost in our thoughts. The previously relaxed atmosphere has now been replaced by an almost tangible weight of silence as if the thoughts we are grappling with are too heavy to put into words.

Finally, I can't take it anymore. I have to say something. "You know...I trusted Javi," I say, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to keep the lump in my throat from choking me.

I feel his eyes on me, and I turn to face him. "I knew the moment I met him," I continue, "that he was loyal. I saw it in his eyes, just like I see in yours."

He nods slowly, his expression serious. "I know," he says. "I trusted him too.

I never would've left you unprotected if I could help it, Sade," he says, his voice breaking.

"I know that, Jo." I can"t help but smile at him, trying to lighten the mood a little. "Okay, this conversation has reached its expiration date. Let"s talk about something else," I say as I turn away from him.

"Like what? You being pregnant again?" Jo asks, his tone serious.

My head jerks in his direction, and my entire body tenses up with a sudden rush of discomfort. He"s got his overprotective brother"s face on. I still remember the way he reamed my ass when he first found out I was pregnant with Sophia.

But the moment he laid eyes on her, he fell in love with her, and the anger toward me disappeared and was replaced with a deep affection for my little unicorn, who won his heart over instantly.

"Relax." He softly chuckles. "I overheard the paramedic when they put you on the stretcher."

I sigh. "It wasn"t planned, Jo. And before you lecture me, I knew what Donnie and I did was reckless, but it happened, and now we've accepted it."

Jo"s gaze is fixed on me, and the softness in his expression instantly puts me at ease. When he doesn"t respond, I continue. "I"m going to be okay, Jo. Everything will fall into place. Donnie isn"t the type of guy who will make a baby and not take responsibility for her or him. I know he'll take care of us."

Jo smiles knowingly. "I know he will too."

With those words, the tension in my shoulders eases, and I feel like I can breathe again.

"But if he breaks your heart, I"ll break his arm, and he"ll never be able to pitch again," he says with a menacing tone, but his smirk says he doesn't mean it.

"You're such an ass." I laugh.

"Hey, no cussing in front of the baby," he teasingly scolds as he looks down at Sophia and tenderly rubs her back. She's wearing a Brewers sweatshirt he bought a few months ago before shit hit the fan. Jo playfully twirls the matching silky ribbons tied in her bouncy, curly locks that are styled in adorable pigtails.

"What are your future plans, Sade? Are you going to college?" Jo asks.

I shrug and look away, afraid of how he will respond to my answer. "I don"t know, but I applied to a photography school where Donnie will be." I turn back to Jo and add, "In Tennessee. It's a great opportunity for me. But I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm not getting my hopes up."

He doesn't respond right away, leaving my stomach tied up in knots. I"ve been riding the rollercoaster ride of emotions since Jo has come back from the dead. On the one hand, I"m excited about the opportunity to attend college. Something I thought I"d never be able to do.

And then there"s the mixed feelings of anxiety, sadness, and guilt about leaving Jo behind after I thought I had lost him forever. These conflicting emotions are fucking with my head, making it difficult to decide what to do next.

I fear he might think I'm abandoning him, especially after everything he has been through. Should I withdraw my application, take classes closer to home instead, and reapply when he"s ready to be alone?

"Stop it," he says firmly, his eyes fixed on mine. I furrow my brow and stare back at him. "Stop what?" I ask, my voice reflecting my confusion and uncertainty.

"I know what you"re thinking," he replies, his voice softening. "You need to start thinking about yourself and what"s best for you."

Tears well up in my eyes as I shake my head. "I don"t want to leave you," I admit, trying not to burst into tears.

He gives me a sad smile. "I"m a big boy, Sade," he says gently. "And you"re not leaving me. I hope you get in. If anyone deserves happiness, it"s you."

Damnit. I can't stop the tears from falling down my cheeks. "And who knows, maybe I"ll follow you and take Mom and Abuela with me," he says casually.

My eyes widen in shock. "Really?" I ask, the hope in my heart rising.

He nods, a determined look on his face. "Yeah. Maybe we all need to get the hell out of here and start over. Besides, there"s nothing left for us here anyway."

He"s referring to Papi. I sense the tension in his voice and don't want to pry further. The mere mention of Papi will open the door to a flood of painful memories I knew all too well. Memories that haunt us day and night could keep anyone up all night, so I keep them locked with chains behind the red door in my mind. But I also knew that healing takes time, and sometimes, one painful memory at a time is all we can handle.

But Jo"s fear and sadness are still palpable, a weight that must be heavy on his chest and one he can't seem to shake. He looks at me with a sad, vulnerable expression. "I"m fucking terrified," he admits. "Scared I"ll never get past everything that happened."

My heart aches at the admission, at the raw honesty spilling from his lips. I reach for his hand, squeezing it. "We will help you get through this, no matter what," I reassure him. "I won't let you fight this alone."

A tremor passes through him, his shoulders heaving with a sigh that carries the weight of a thousand burdens. "I"m afraid of relapsing again, Sade," he confesses, the words hanging in the air. "I"m afraid of fucking up again."

"As long as you stay on your medications and follow through with your treatment, we will find a way to navigate through this together," I promise, my voice tinged with determination. But as the words leave my lips, doubt and uncertainty creep in. How do you reassure someone when uncertainty seems to loom at every turn? How do you fight back against the fear that threatens to consume a person whole?

"I have nightmares," he whispers. "Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Vince and Neo...and Elisa..." Jo shakes his head as he lowers his gaze, unable to finish.

I can"t imagine what it was like for him the whole time he was gone, fighting the battles and the scars that still plague him. I take a deep breath, mustering every ounce of strength I have to offer.

I search for the right words, the beacon of hope I desperately want to offer. "You are stronger than you realize, Jo."

The tears that glisten in his eyes speak volumes, reflecting the turmoil and pain beneath the surface. "I don"t feel strong," he confesses, his voice breaking. "Strength isn"t always about feeling invincible. You're not Superman. It"s about having the courage to face your fears, to keep moving forward even when you have doubts," I tell him.

There is a flicker of something in his eyes that struggles to break through the veil of despair. In a voice barely above a whisper, he says, "I want to fucking believe that." The fragility of hope is palpable, as if it is a delicate flower that's trying to bloom.

"Then we will believe it for you until you can believe it yourself," I vow.

"For fuck's sake. When did these medications get me all weepy and shit?" he complains out of nowhere, wiping his face.

I flash a playful smile and reach for Sophia"s bottle from the diaper bag, teasingly suggesting to Jo, "Maybe I need to give you Sophia"s bottle instead since you"re acting like a big baby."

However, as I turn back to him, I can"t help but notice a scowl on his face. Before he can say anything, Sophia impatiently grabs the bottle from my hand. She eagerly begins to drink from it and moves to nestle her little back against Jo"s chest. As I glance at Jo, I notice a mixture of annoyance and amusement in his gaze.

I missed this.

Teasing each other.

"Seriously, these meds make me feel like a pussy, Sade."

I can't help but laugh. "Jo, it's a common side effect from the medications. It's going to take time for your body to adjust."

"Doctors don't know shit," he mutters. "They just shove these damn things down my throat so I won't lose my fucking mind."

He"s not wrong.

Unspoken fears and silent promises weigh down the atmosphere. But I refuse to let the shadows that threaten to consume him take hold. I will stand by his side, be his rock in the tumultuous sea of his fears. Together, we will navigate the storm, braving the crashing waves and turbulent winds with a steadfast determination to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever on the other side.