Zeke couldn't watch anymore. It was too much.
Each laugh Claire shared with Xavier felt like a quiet cut, too small to scream, but deep enough to bleed. He turned away for a moment, eyes fixed on the floor, jaw clenched.
Then, Zeke remembered Claire's condition and Dr. Myers' words. He took a quiet breath and walked toward Cassidy, slow and deliberate.
She looked up as he approached, and before she could say anything, he leaned in slightly and spoke in a near whisper.
"Can I talk to you outside?" he said, keeping his voice steady. "It's about Claire's condition."
Cassidy's brows pulled together slightly in concern. She nodded.
Across the room, Xavier caught the way they leaned in close. The whisper. The tension. His gaze sharpened, a slight frown forming as he followed their quiet exchange.
Cassidy turned to Claire, brushing a gentle hand over her daughter's blanket.
