The question hung in the air, unanswered.


    Seth arrived that evening. Yvonne tried to give them some space, but Bianca clung to her hand, refusing to let her leave. With a sigh, Yvonne told Seth to go home and get some rest, saying she would stay and look after Bianca.


    Noreen, after finishing her IV drip, felt cooped up and decided to go for a walk. She had sent Sophia home, insisting she was fine and didn''t need a babysitter. Besides, her extended stay in Glenhaven City had caused a rift between Sophia and her boyfriend. Though Sophia hadn''t said anything, Noreen had overheard them arguing on the phone, threatening to break up.


    The hospital grounds were quiet at night, and a cool breeze offered a wee respite from the stuffy room. Noreen found a bench and spent some time catching up on work, sending instructions to her project team to ensure everyst issue from the inspection was addressed.


    Just as she finished, a message from Carman Holt popped up, asking if she was sick. Noreen downyed it, but Carman was persistent, demanding to know which hospital she was in so he could visit. When she hesitated, he threatened to call Sophia. Resigned, Noreen sent him the address. Carman replied that he and Mina would be over soon, exining that Mina was worried sick and wouldn''t rest until she saw Noreen for herself.


    Noreen sighed and headed back to her room. As she reached the entrance of her ward, she nearly collided with Seth, who was walking out. He had been moving quickly but stopped short when he saw her.


    Noreen''s gaze slid past him without a flicker of recognition, and she continued walking. Just as they were about to pass each other, he spoke.


    "Are you sick?" His voice was t, devoid of emotion, like a casual inquiry to a stranger.


    Noreen ignored himpletely, making it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Her heart remained steady, her mind calm. The only thing she felt was a sense of absurdity. When they were together, he had never shown an ounce of concern. Now that she no longer cared, his sudden attention felt like a joke. Whether his concern was genuine or not, it didn''t matter. She didn''t need it.


    Seth stood there for a moment, watching until she disappeared down the hall before finally turning to leave.


    Not long after Noreen returned to her room, Carman and Mina arrived. Mina fussed over her, peppering her with questions untif Carman gently intervened, reminding her that Noreen needed to rest.


    "You''re right," Mina said, her tone softening. "Get some sleep, Noreen. We''lle back and see you in the morning. As they were leaving, she asked if there was anything Noreen wanted to eat. Not wanting to


    fi mentioned


    disappoint her, Nareen mentioned the muffins from the little café near the hospital, an easy stop on their way. Carman made a mental note.


    Shortly after they left, the on-duty doctor and a nurse knocked on her door. They asked if she was alone and, upon learning she was, told her to use the call button if she needed anything at all.  qat


    The next morning, Carman arrived by himself. He brought not only the muffins Noreen had requested but also a thermos of slow-cooked, nourishing chicken soup.


    "I let it simmer for hours," he said, pouring her a bowl. "It''s good for you. Drink up."


    *Simmer for hours.* That meant he must have woken up incredibly early to make<fn6eeb> The rightful source is fι?dnοvel</fn6eeb>


    it. Not wanting to waste his effort, Noreen drank two full bowls.


    "Are you getting another IV today?" Carman asked.


    ***