Nina's eyes opened wider as she focused on the unfamiliar face, her small hand instinctively reaching for Linda's.
"Hi there, sweetheart," Lila said, her voice taking on an exaggerated sweetness as she moved closer to the bed.
She crouched down to Nina's eye level, her smile bright and practiced. "I'm Lila, and I'm your big brother Mike's girlfriend."
Nina blinked slowly, processing this information while studying Lila with the unguarded curiosity of a child.
"You're so pretty," Lila continued, her tone warm but slightly performative. "And you're being such a brave little girl. Your big brother Mike has told me so much about his wonderful little sister."
Mike shifted uncomfortably behind her, clearly unused to seeing Lila interact with children.
"You can call me big sister too, if you want," Lila offered hopefully, reaching out as if to smooth Nina's hair.
Nina's response was immediate and matter-of-fact. "No. Big sister Sarah is my big sister."
