After Wyatt introduced himself, he paused for a moment and then asked, "Have you heard of The Mirror?"


    "I''ve heard about it," Mirabe replied with a nod, not offering much detail as she pushed open the car door and stepped out.


    Wyatt watched her through the car window, tracking her until she disappeared through the grand entrance of the vi. Only then did he turn his gaze away, intrigued by her knowledge of The Mirror. It made sense now why she hadn''t seemed curious when James had brought it up earlier.


    Wyatt shook off his thoughts, started the car again, and drove off.


    The next day, Mirabe got a message from As letting her know that Nick was back from his international conference. Instead of going straight home from the airport, they swung by her school to pick her up, nning to head home together.


    Once in the car, Mirabe turned to Nick, who was seated next to her, and asked, "Nick, are you finally done with everything?"


    Even though it had been over a week since he''d been recovering from a serious injury, Nick still looked a bit pale. His naturally fair skin hid it from anyone who didn''t know better.


    Nick nodded, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, like I mentioned on Messenger a couple of days ago, I got sent to that international medical conferencest minute. It''s finally wrapped up."


    Mirabe nodded, ying along with his story. "You still look a bit worn out. Now that you''re done, take some time to rest at home."


    "Sure," Nick said, his eyshes fluttering as he rxed his grip on the car door.


    Driving up front, As nced at the siblings in the rearview mirror. Watching them act out their little y, he thought both deserved an Oscar.


    Before long, Nick''s phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a call from the research institute. His expression turned serious as he answered.


    "Right now? Okay, I''ll be there soon."


    After hanging up, he tucked his phone away and turned to Mirabe. "I need to head back to the research


    institute. As will drop you home."  swnovel


    He asked As to pull over so he could catch a taxi.


    Hearing this, Mirabe frowned


    159


    slightly and said, "No worries. I don''t have much going on. We can drop you off first, and then I''ll head home."  swnovel


    As chimed in, "Miss Mira''s right. It''s just a half-hour drive or so. Not a big deal."


    Nick gave a knowing nce at As, suspecting he was concerned about his health. After a moment, he agreed, "Alright then."


    "Nick, you just got back. Why are they calling you to the research institute now?" Mirabe asked, curious, her hand resting on the car door.


    Nick remembered what the department head had said. "There''s an experimental surgery that needs my help."


    Mirabe''s brow furrowed again. If it was just paperwork, Nick could handle it, but surgery required stamina and strength.


    Given his current condition, he might onlyst half an hour in surgery. Any longer, and his recently healed wounds could reopen.


    If that happened, it wouldn''t just be about exposure; his life could be at risk, and no miracle would save him.


    With concern creeping into her voice, Mirabe asked, "You''ve just rushed back from abroad, and you have the energy for experimental surgery?"  Swnovel