After the nurse assisted me in lying down on the bed and applied a cooling fever patch, the director and his team departed.

Once the cool fever patch was in place, I felt a significant improvement.

Brandon settled beside the hospital bed, pointing out the window. His eyes were soft, and he appeared somewhat hesitant as he asked, "Did I scare you earlier?"

"Huh?"

I was momentarily taken aback before realizing he was referring to his earlier harshness with Susan. I ...