Inside the room, the atmosphere was different. Hope stirred as the nurse finished changing the drip. She blinked her eyes open, rubbing them sleepily. She turned her head from side to side, searching for her mother.
"Where is Mommy? She promised she'd come back early. Why isn't she here yet?"
Chloe, who was sitting beside the bed, immediately put on a mock-hurt expression. "Why do you always look for Mommy?" she said, pouting slightly. "I'm right here with you. Don't you like my company?"
Hope broke into a wide grin. "I like—"
"Then don't think about Mommy when she is not around," Chloe cut in quickly. "Let her work. I'm here to keep you company." Her eyes glinted with mischief. "And I brought something for you."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a colorful storybook. "Tada…" she waved it in front of Hope's face. "Your favorite mermaid story."
Hope's eyes lit up instantly. "Will you read it to me?"
