<b>Chapter </b><b>176 </b>


    Mirabe withdrew her gaze and settled down beside Jenna. She was never one to mince words or spin fancy phrases forfort, so she said simply, “Your dad will wake up.”


    Jenna’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “I hope for a miracle.”


    Mirabe patted her shoulder with earnest assurance, “Believe me, miracles do happen.”


    Looking into Mirabe’s eyes, Jenna felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. “I don’t know why, but even though you’re not a doctor, your words are weirdlyforting.”


    Raising an eyebrow with a hint of a smile, Mirabe replied, “Jenna, that gut feeling of yours is spot on.”


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe continued, “Your dad’s condition… is like when the body takes a huge hit and goes into this sort of hibernation mode to heal. Once he’s patched up inside and out, we’ll find some way to jolt his nerves awake. It’s just a matter of time.”


    Jenna was momentarily stunned. She didn’t quite grasp the whole ‘hibernation‘ concept, but the promise of awakening was like a beacon in the dark, igniting hope within her.


    However, her hope dimmed as quickly as it had appeared. Even Dr. Ray had said the chances were slim. And Mira… she wasn’t a doctor, was she? Perhaps thoseforting words were just that emptyfort.


    —


    “Thank you,” Jenna managed to say. It was all she could find words for.


    Mirabe, sensing Jenna’s mood, didn’t press further. After spending a little more time at the hospital, she stood to leave. Before exiting, she turned to Jenna, “When your dad moves out of the ICU and into a regr room, I’lle visit him then<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Assuming it was just a polite show of concern between ssmates, Jenna didn’t object and absentmindedly murmured her agreement before escorting Mirabe out.


    As soon as Mirabe stepped out of the hospital, she hailed a cab for home. As she settled in the backseat, boredom set in, and her thoughts turned to Zach. She fished out her phone and shot him a message on Messenger, [Zach, you done with work? When are you flying back?]


    Zach was just boarding his flight, about to switch off his phone, when he got his sister’s message. He quickly replied, [ have ayover in Lakewood. Shouldnd around nine tonight. You picking me up, Mira?]


    Mirabe ruthlessly shot down the idea, [Nah, gotta hit the books tonight.]


    Zach felt a pang of hurt. Was his sister’s homework really more important than him? With a sigh, he texted back, [Alright, just wait for us at home then.]


    The word ‘us‘ caught Mirabe’s attention, and she probed, [Not flying solo?]


    Zach responded, [Nope, Leo’s with me.]


    10


    Chapter


    Mirabe pondered for a mere two seconds before firing back, [OK,nding at nine, right? I’ll be at the arrivals gate.]


    Zach was taken aback by the sudden turnaround in her response and nced at the figure next to him, half–hidden under a baseball cap and a face mask. Zach couldn’t help but feel <b>a </b>twinge of jealousy. So, was the sudden change of heart because Leo wasing as well?


    Feeling an inexplicable chill, Leo looked at Zach quizzically, “Zach?”


    Zach just huffed and turned away.


    Leo was left puzzled.


    H