James went to handle the hospital admission, leaving Cedric rke to escort Briony and her daughter to the room.


    It was a private room-Cedric had already spoken to the head nurse, asking her team to keep a close eye on them over the next few days.


    Little Nina, feeling miserable and feverish, clung to her mom and refused to settle down.


    Her fever left her dazed, and when she heard the nurseing in with a needle, she burst into tears, kicking up a fuss and refusing to cooperate no matter what anyone said.


    Briony tried everything to calm her, but nothing worked. James arrived, but he didn''t fare any better.


    "I don''t want a shot, I don''t want a shot!" Little Nina sobbed, burying her face into Briony''s chest.


    "You need the shot to get better, sweetheart," Briony coaxed gently. "The nurse here is really good, it won''t hurt.”


    "No!" Nina wailed, clutching her mother''s shirt with both hands and refusing to let go. "Shots hurt so much!"


    James tried a different tactic. "How about this-when you get your shot, you can hold my hand and squeeze as hard as you want. If it hurts, you can even bite me. That way, I''ll take the pain for you, okay?"


    "You''re lying!" Nina sniffled, her eyes red. "I want Daddy. Mommy, call Daddy. I want Daddy to stay with me..."


    Briony cradled her daughter, utterly at a loss.


    ir arrived at the doorway just as Little Nina''s cries split the air. She was howling


    for her father, refusing the injection unless he was there.


    He paused at the threshold, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.


    Inside, Briony and James took turns trying to soothe the distraught girl.


    Finally, the nurse spoke up, looking apologetic. "Maybe one of you should just


    hold her still, and I''ll be as quick as I can?"


    At that, ir couldn''t hold back any longer. He stepped into the room.


    "Ms. Kensington."


    Briony looked up in surprise. "ir? What are you doing here?"


    He met her eyes. "I just wanted to check if you needed any help."


    "There''s nothing urgent right now. You''re free to go about your day," she replied.


    ir nodded. "Alright. I''ll be on my way then."


    "Okay," Briony answered, her tone polite but distracted.


    ir nced at Little Nina, still clinging to her mother, then turned to leave. After two steps, he paused.


    Briony watched him, curious.


    He turned back and met her gaze. She raised an eyebrow. "Is there something else?"


    ir cleared his throat. "I have a


    nephew about the same age as Nina. He used to be terrified of shots too, but my brother found a trick that helped."


    Briony''s attention sharpened. "What trick?"


    "Teach her to count," ir said quietly. "Tell her that if she counts to five, the pain will be gone."


    Briony was skeptical, but she''d already exhausted every other option. She decided to give it a try.


    To everyone''s astonishment, it worked.


    By the time Nina reached three, she


    blinked in surprise, the tears drying on her cheeks. "It doesn''t hurt


    Gel


    anymore! Mr. Monroe, I only had to count to three, not even five!"


    ir smiled, his eyes softening with a warmth he rarely let show. "That''s impressive. My nephew always has to count all the way to five before he feels better."


    "See?" Nina''s tiny voice was suddenly proud, the fear forgotten. "Daddy always says I''m really brave!"


    ir swallowed, his voice husky as he nodded. "You''re incredibly brave."


    Briony watched ir, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on him.