After breakfast, the room felt warmer, calmer, like the walls themselves had finally relaxed.
Daniel watched as Mia licked the last bit of syrup from her lips, her eyes bright, her cheeks no longer as pale as they had been days ago.
Seeing her smile like that did something to his chest. It loosened the tight knot that had lived there since the night everything fell apart.
"Did you enjoy it?" he asked softly.
Mia nodded eagerly.
"It was really good, Dad. Better than the hospital food."
He chuckled.
"I figured."
He reached for the small tray beside her bed and picked up the medicine cup the nurse had left earlier.
The liquid inside was clear, harmless-looking, but to him it represented everything standing between his daughter and danger.
"Okay," he said gently. "Time for your medicine."
Mia made a tiny face but didn't complain. She opened her mouth obediently, took the cup, and drank it slowly.
Daniel handed her some water afterward and wiped her lips with a tissue.
"There," he said.
"All done."
She leaned back against the pillow, clearly tired but comfortable.
Daniel adjusted the blanket around her, making sure she was warm but not too hot.
He checked the machines beside her bed, even though he didn't fully understand all of them.
The steady beeping reassured him. It meant she was still here. Still fighting.
About thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Daniel said.
The doctor walked in, accompanied by a nurse holding a tablet.
The doctor wore the same calm smile he always did, the kind that carried both authority and kindness.
Daniel stood up immediately, his heart tightening despite himself.
"How is she doing today?" the doctor asked, walking closer to the bed.
"I'm okay," Mia answered before Daniel could speak. "I ate pancakes."
The doctor laughed softly.
"That's good news."
He began his examination carefully, checking her pulse, her breathing, her eyes.
He asked her simple questions, made her move her fingers, and her toes.
Mia followed every instruction seriously, like it was the most important test of her life.
Daniel stood nearby, hands clasped together, watching every movement, every expression on the doctor's face.
After a few minutes, the doctor straightened and nodded.
"She's doing very well," he said.
"Her condition has improved significantly since the surgery.
The operation was a success, and her body is
responding positively."
Daniel let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"So… she's going to be okay?"
The doctor smiled.
"Yes. She's on the right path. However, I still want her to remain under observation for a little while longer.
We need to be absolutely sure there are no complications before we discharge her."
Daniel nodded quickly.
"Of course. Whatever you think is best."
"That's good," the doctor said.
"You've been doing a great job taking care of her."
Daniel swallowed hard. Praise felt strange after everything he had been through, but he accepted it with a small nod.
The doctor turned as if to leave, but just then, Mia's voice stopped him.
"Doctor?"
"Yes, Mia?" the doctor asked kindly.
"Can I go outside for a little bit?" she asked. "I'm tired of just sleeping and looking at the walls."
Daniel's heart jumped. He looked at her, surprised, then back at the doctor, unsure.
The doctor considered it for a moment, then nodded.
"Some fresh air could be good for her, as long as it's not too long and she stays seated."
Relief washed over Daniel. "Really?"
"Yes," the doctor said. "Just make sure she doesn't get tired."
"Thank you," Daniel said sincerely.
The doctor smiled once more and left the room with the nurse.
Daniel turned to Mia. "Looks like you're getting your wish."
Her face lit up.
"Really?"
"Yes," he said.
"But we have to do it properly."
He stepped into the hallway and waved down a nurse.
"Excuse me," he said politely.
"Could we get a wheelchair, please?"
"Of course," the nurse replied and walked away.
A few minutes later, she returned, pushing a clean wheelchair. With her help, Daniel carefully lifted Mia, supporting her back and legs, making sure she wasn't in pain.
Mia winced slightly but didn't complain.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded.
"I'm fine, Dad."
Once she was seated comfortably, the nurse adjusted the footrests and checked the brakes.
"Take it slow," she advised.
"Thank you," Daniel said.
The nurse smiled and left them alone.
Daniel placed his hands on the wheelchair handles and slowly pushed Mia out of the room.
The hallway felt different when they moved through it together. It wasn't just a place of fear anymore. It was a place of healing.
They passed other patients, doctors, and nurses.
Some smiled at Mia, others nodded at Daniel.
He felt strangely proud, like he was pushing something precious through a world that had almost taken her away.
They reached the hospital's outdoor area, where benches lined a small garden.
Trees swayed gently in the Chicago breeze, and sunlight spilled across the concrete paths.
The air was cool and fresh, carrying the faint sounds of traffic in the distance.
Mia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"It smells nice," she said.
Daniel smiled.
"It does."
He wheeled her closer to a bench and stopped.
They sat there quietly for a moment, just breathing, just existing.
For the first time in a long while, Daniel felt something close to peace.
As Mia looked around, Daniel's thoughts drifted. Without thinking, his hand slipped into his pocket and touched his phone.
The trade.
He hadn't checked it yet.
His heart beat faster, but he resisted the urge.
Right now, this moment mattered more.
Still, he couldn't stop his mind from wandering.
The system had guided him again.
The $621,800 he had left after buying the mansion had turned into over $5,000,000.
And now, that entire amount was back in the market.
Waiting
Growing.
Or falling.
He pushed the thought aside and focused on his daughter.
"Dad," Mia said suddenly.
"Yes?"
"Are we going to be okay now?"
The question was simple, but it carried the weight of everything she had been through.
Daniel crouched in front of her, meeting her eyes.
"Yes," he said firmly.
"We are."
She studied his face, as if searching for something, then smiled.
"Okay."
They stayed outside for a while longer, watching people walk by, listening to the birds.
Daniel told her small stories, harmless ones, about things they would do when she got better.
Parks.
Ice cream.
Movies.
Eventually, she began to look tired.
"Ready to go back inside?" he asked.
She nodded slowly.
"A little."
He pushed her back into the hospital, returning her to the room carefully.
With gentle hands, he lifted her back onto the bed and adjusted her pillows.
"Rest now," he said.
"I'll be right here."
She closed her eyes, her breathing steady.
Daniel sat down beside her, took out his phone, and unlocked it.
The trading app opened.
Numbers moved.
Charts shifted.
His heart pounded as he stared at the screen.