Lyra woke in the middle of the night, needing to use the bathroom.
Her head felt a little dizzy, and she took a moment to sit up and steady herself before slipping on her slippers and making her way slowly, step by step.
She halted in the middle of the room, her eyes landing on Rowan lying on the sofa nearby.
He was frowning in his sleep, a tiredness he couldn't hide even at rest.
Avoiding disturbing his sleep, she moved quietly, minding every sound.
She took her time in the bathroom, steadying herself. Her head was still a little light.
But the moment she opened the door, she gasped.
Rowan was right there, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
"Why didn't you call me before going to the bathroom?"
His voice was cold, not even a hint of a smile.
"I didn't want to disturb your sleep."
Rowan exhaled sharply, as if her answer were somehow wrong. She fell silent, her fingers curling around the fabric of her nightdress.
He scooped her up, carrying her back to the bed.
He tucked her in, then returned to the sofa. Rowan turned his head away, his back facing her as he lay down, retreating into his own silence.
Lyra was puzzled about what had made him angry, but she still wished him good night.
But then she heard a low, frustrated grunt, and moments later Rowan stood up and left the room.
The next morning, she woke to find Rowan's spot already tidied up, his things no longer there.
She began to feel bored, stuck in the ward with nothing to do. Eventually, she asked if she could take a walk around the hospital.
The doctor simply gave her permission but reminded her to return at a certain time to take her medication.
Kane followed her from behind. She noticed the hospital garden and asked if they could sit there for a while. Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and he excused himself, saying he needed to take a call.
So, Lyra walked toward the garden and sat on a stone bench alone, watching two elderly people play chess not far from her.
At the far end, a nurse was pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair, enjoying the gentle breeze.
"Ahem!"
Someone deliberately cleared their throat behind her.
"Dr. Chavan… um, should I return now?" Lyra asked, even though she had only just sat down.
"Not yet. I'm actually on my break right now. Mind if I sit with you?" Mia asked, smiling slightly.
She mostly just wanted to get to know her.
After a while of chatting, she found Lyra surprisingly easy to warm up to, gentle, and far lovelier in person than she'd expected.
No wonder Edris had fallen for her. Too bad things hadn't worked out in his favor.
"Well, someone wants to see you," Mia said suddenly.
Lyra blinked in confusion. "Who?"
"He's right there," Mia replied, pointing toward the corridor.
Lyra followed her gaze and froze.
A man with platinum hair and glasses was walking toward them, wearing the same doctor's uniform as Mia.
"No way," Lyra blurted out. She turned to Mia with wide eyes. "Are you two siblings?"
Mia simply smiled.
Edris approached them slowly. He'd only come because his sister had pushed him into it.
She insisted he needed to face her, or he'd stay miserable forever.