Nick strolled in, bncing a tray of food he''d prepared for Zach, and set it down on the small wheeled table nearby. Once everything was in ce, he wheeled it over to Zach''s bedside. As he passed Mirabe, he caught a glimpse of herptop screen just as she exited The Mirror''s website.


    Mirabe nced up and called out to Nick, then casually shut herptop, folding it closed and setting it aside.


    Nick acknowledged her with a soft hum, shifting his focus from her actions to cing the tray on the bed.


    Zach looked at the bowl of in porridge and rubbed his forehead. "Can we talk about getting something with a bit more vor next time? This is starting to taste like nothing."


    It was the same nd meal every day, and he was fed up.


    Nick was about to agree, but Mirabe chimed in seriously, "The doctor said in porridge is all you can have right now."


    Making money isn''t easy, is it?


    Nick cast a quiet look at his sister, thinking from a medical perspective. Zach had been on this diet for days; a little variety wouldn''t hurt.


    But he stayed silent.


    Zach ran a hand through his hair and reluctantly picked up the spoon.


    Mirabe checked the time and said to Nick, “Let''s go, Nick. Grady''s got a table reserved at The Garden Room."


    Zach, mid-sip of his porridge, was baffled. Was this guy a demon?


    Nick coughed, a small smile ying on his lips. “Alright."


    Soon, the siblings left the hospital room, their slender figures exuding a cool detachment. The door closed behind them with a finality that seemed almost mocking.


    Zach muttered a curse under his breath.


    **


    When they reached the restaurant, Grady was already waiting in a private dining room. As soon as the siblings arrived, the kitchen staff began serving the meal, sneaking curious nces at Mirabe.


    This made Mirabe self-consciously touch her face, wondering if something was amiss.


    As they were finishing up, a waiter entered, carrying arge cake box.


    Mirabe did a double take, then turned to Grady, who was sitting across from her. "Is today your birthday?"


    Nick and her birthdays had already passed.


    Grady fiddled with the wooden bracelet on his wrist, looking slightly sheepish. "Yeah."


    Mirabe pulled out her phone with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Grady. I didn''t know it was your birthday, or I''d have brought something..."


    She opened Messenger and sent a virtual gift card.


    Nick, who usually wasn''t one to remember such dates, saw his sister sending a gift and followed suit, pulling out his phone to send one too.


    Grady chuckled, "Don''t worry, it''s just a little birthday."


    His phone buzzed twice in his pocket. Seeing the siblings with their phones, he took out his own.


    Opening Messenger, he saw the virtual gift cards from the siblings.


    Grady paused, first opening Mirabe''s message. The sight of the virtual gift card and a birthday GIF brought a smile to his lips.


    He didn''t have children, and his wife had passed away years ago, leaving him to celebrate most birthdays alone. Although he''d received many wishes and gifts over the years, Miss Mira''s gesture was unexpectedly heartfelt.


    Grady didn''t open the gift card but looked up at Mirabe, his voice gentle. "Thank you, but I won''t ept the gift card. Having yourpany for dinner is more than enough."


    What about me?


    Nick, standing to the side, thought, am I invisible or something?