A day later, Elise spotted a tall man at the reception desk holding a bouquet of lilies. He was handsome in a deliberate way—shirt crisp, smile rehearsed. When he entered Olivia’s room, the girl’s shoulders tensed before she forced a smile. “Daniel,” she said softly, as if testing the name.
Elise observed from the corner, pretending to arrange supplies. Daniel’s charm filled the space like cologne. It was noticeable and almost overwhelming. He thanked the staff, complimented the doctor, and made sure everyone knew he’d “been worried sick.” But his hand on Olivia’s shoulder lingered, pressing too firmly to be affectionate.