When little Nina woke up, Briony was already on the phone.


    She stood by the window, her back to the bed.


    Nina watched her mother quietly. She knew Mom was busy, but her mouth felt dry and she wanted a drink.


    "Mom..."


    At the sound of her voice, Briony turned, but just then the hospital room door swung open and a figure dressed in ck hurried in, reaching Nina''s bedside before Briony could.


    "What does little Nina need?"


    Briony paused in her tracks.


    With ir shrouded head to toe in ck—a dark hat pulled low and a mask covering all but his eyes-any child would normally shrink away in fear.


    But for some reason, little Nina always felt safe around ir.


    "Mr. Monroe, I''m thirsty, could I have some water?"


    ir''s voice softened. "Of course. Just stay still, I''ll get you some."


    "Thank you, Mr. Monroe," Nina replied, her voice as gentle as a whisper. Curled


    up in bed, she looked so fragile it made your heart ache.


    ir reached out to touch her cheek, then turned to fetch water, only to find himself meeting Briony''s gaze unexpectedly.


    He stopped, a flicker of nervousness shing in his dark eyes.


    "I saw you were busy. Since your little one woke up, I was worried she might tug


    at the IV," he exined, his voice deep and rough, sounding nothing like the man she''d known.


    Briony''s expression didn''t change; she gave a faint smile. "I understand."


    ir was surprised for a moment. Was he just being paranoid? He''d half expected suspicion.


    "Mr. Monroe!" Nina called again, her eyes wide with anticipation.


    "Water, please?"


    "Coming right up," ir replied. He grabbed the pink children''s thermos from the table, unscrewed the lid, and lowered the bed rail. With gentle hands, he propped Nina up so she was half-reclining, then held the straw to her lips.


    "Drink slowly, don''t rush or you''ll choke."


    Nina sipped most of the warm water, feeling much better. She looked up at ir, her bright eyes curving into a crescent-moon smile. "Mr. Monroe, I feel a lot better now. Thank you!"


    ir gazed at her, unable to hide the fondness in his eyes.


    He gently settled Nina back, tucking the covers around her with care.


    "You have to listen to the doctor, little Nina. That''s the only way to get well soon."


    Nina nodded solemnly. "I will, I promise." After a moment, she looked up at him. "Mr. Monroe, will you stay with me for a while?"


    ir was caught off guard.


    Before he could answer, Briony spoke up, "I have another call to make. ir, could you keep an eye on Nina for me?"


    ir turned to look at Briony.


    She met his gaze, unblinking.


    "Is that alright?" she asked.


    ir''sshes fluttered, his Adam''s apple bobbing with the effort to answer. "Of course."


    Briony stepped to the bed, brushing her hand over her daughter''s cheek.


    Her fever had gone down.


    She said softly, “I''ll be back soon. Listen to ir, okay?"


    "Don''t worry, Mom! I''ll be good and ir will stay with me. You can go!"


    Briony gave a small smile. "I won''t be long."


    ...


    After Briony left, ir settled into the chair by the bed.


    Nina regarded him with the same


    She''d inherited f always wear a hat and Omet


    Monroe,


    mask?"


    ir''s voice was gentle. "Well, I have a scar on my face. It looks awful and tends


    to scare people, so I cover it up."


    "I''m not scared of anything!” Nina dered, patting her chest with her free hand, the other one stuck with the IV "I''m the big sister who ly "I''m


    protects my little brother-I''m very


    brave!"


    ir ruffled her hair with hisrge hand. “You really are brave. But this scar...


    even I don''t like people to see it."