---
Her eyelashes trembled gently.
She could hear Lewis calling her from nearby, yet she couldn't respond. Her body refused to obey her, as though invisible chains had bound every limb.
Then...
A gentle warmth spread across her forehead.
At the same time, she could feel someone slowly transferring their energy into her through the touch of their hand.
Her vision gradually began to return.
Everything before her was still blurry, but little by little, the haze started to fade. Although her eyes had finally opened, she still couldn't see clearly.
The moment Lewis noticed her opening her eyes, he immediately leaned closer.
"Daanu."
Hearing his voice, Danish slowly turned her head toward him.
She found Lewis sitting beside her bed, dressed in a simple white shirt, gently holding her tiny hand.
She tried to answer him.
"D... D... Da..."
"W... Wa..."
However, her throat was so dry that she couldn't form a proper sentence.
"Don't speak yet."
Lewis understood immediately.
He turned toward Steve, who instantly realized what he meant. Without wasting a second, Steve picked up a glass of lukewarm water from the mug on the nearby table and handed it to Lewis.
Since Danish had only just regained consciousness, Lewis carefully supported her and helped her sit up against the headboard before taking the glass.
"Sir... should we examine Miss Danish first?"
One of the doctors standing nearby finally gathered enough courage to ask.
Lewis slowly turned his eyes toward him.
"There's no need."
"She's fine."
"You may all leave."
His voice had already returned to its usual cold authority.
Hearing his order, every doctor and servant quietly left the room.
"Uncle... the water."
Steve handed him the glass.
Lewis carefully held the rim of the glass against Danish's lips and slowly helped her drink.
After taking a few small sips, the burning dryness in her throat eased considerably.
"Daanu..."
"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Lewis asked gently after she finished drinking.
Danish slowly shook her head.
"No..."
"I'm just a little hungry, Dad."
Her sweet voice was still slightly hoarse, but much steadier than before.
A faint smile finally appeared on Lewis's face.
He nodded.
"I'll bring you something to eat."
The moment he stepped out of the room—
Steve hurried to the other side of the bed and suddenly wrapped Danish in a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry, Baby Azure..."
"Your brother couldn't protect you."
He hugged her so tightly that she was almost completely crushed against his chest.
"B-Brother..."
Danish pressed both hands against his biceps.
"Let go..."
"I... can't breathe..."
Realizing how tightly he was holding her, Steve immediately released her.
"I..."
He held her hand tightly.
"I was just scared."
Danish smiled softly.
"I'm fine."
"Look."
"I don't even have a single scratch."
She lifted both of her hands and happily showed them to Steve.
Seeing that there wasn't even a small wound left on her body, the worry etched across Steve's face slowly disappeared.
Then...
Her smile suddenly faded.
"Brother..."
"Where's Ivan?"
"He... he was badly injured..."
The moment Ivan's name left her lips, Steve's expression darkened once again.
He forced himself to smile.
"He's alright."
"He was only injured a little."
"So don't worry."
It was a lie.
He had no choice but to lie.
"But..."
"Brother was hurt really badly..."
Steve fell silent.
Just then, Lewis returned carrying a tray of food.
"Here's your meal."
"Eat first."
"We'll talk afterward."
Although his voice remained as strict as ever, the concern hidden beneath it was unmistakable.
---
Thirty minutes later...
Danish had finished eating.
Now she stood before Lewis and Steve, both of whom were watching her with curious expressions.
Lewis gently rested his hand on her head.
"Daanu..."
"Will you tell Dad what happened that night?"
"When, Dad?"
Danish asked innocently.
"When you went to the car to get the first-aid kit for Ivan."
Steve answered from beside Lewis.
The moment those memories resurfaced—
Danish's face instantly turned pale.
She lowered her head.
"I..."
"I don't know..."
"I..."
"Dad..."
"I..."
"I can't remember anything..."
Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
Suddenly, she grabbed her head with both hands.
"It hurts..."
"My head hurts..."
Seeing her in such pain, Lewis immediately held both of her hands.
"Alright."
"Don't force yourself to remember."
He gently lifted her into his arms, carried her back to the bed, and carefully laid her down.
"Get some sleep."
"We'll talk when you're feeling better."
He stroked her hair reassuringly before leading Steve out of the room, leaving Danish alone to rest.
---
Outside the room...
"Uncle..."
"Why didn't you ask her more questions?"
Steve couldn't hide the frustration in his voice.
Lewis looked at him calmly.
"Does she look like she's in any condition to answer questions right now, Steve?"
His tone was once again firm and stern.
Everyone in the Smith family knew one thing.
Lewis spoke gently to only one person—
Danish.
His youngest daughter held a special place in his heart.
"I just..."
Steve hesitated before quietly finishing his sentence.
"I wanted to know what really happened."
Lewis nodded.
"I know."
"But we'll ask her once she's feeling better."
"For now..."
"I think she needs rest."
Steve lowered his head.
"Yes, Uncle."
Seeing that Steve had finally understood, Lewis walked away down the corridor.
Steve remained standing there alone.
A few moments later—
**Bzz... Bzz...**
His phone vibrated inside his pocket.
He took it out and glanced at the caller ID.
He froze.
Looking at the name on the screen, he quietly muttered,
"Emma..."