Ruby smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Of course, sweetheart. We’re going to make it feel just like home. You deserve it."
True to her word, she went back out and bought some little things from the hospital gift Shop–warm-coloured paper lanterns, a small flower vase for the side table, and a drawing book with new colours for Milo. When she gave him the bag, Milo’s eyes lit up like the sun breaking through the window.
"Thank you..." he whispered, fingers tracing the soft cover of the drawing book. He looked at Ruby, then Julian, then back at the sunlight streaming in.
"Wife... Jules, you can go home and see brother Adi and Karl," Milo said quietly, his small voice steady even though his eyes looked tired. "They might be scared... they should know I’m okay."
Ruby’s chest squeezed at how gentle and sensible he was—even when he was the one lying in a hospital bed. Before she could argue, Julian rested his hand on Milo’s and said firmly, "I’ll stay with you, Milo. Wife can go, but I’m not leaving you alone, okay?"
Milo nodded, his eyes soft with trust, and Ruby leaned down to kiss his forehead before she left the bright, quiet VIP room.
It was still early when Ruby finally reached home. She unlocked the door with spare key and had barely stepped inside when Karl came stumbling down the hallway, hair sticking out in every direction, eyes puffy from crying. Adrian followed behind him, his steps quiet but his face pale, eyes dark and tired from a night with no sleep.
"Wife!" Karl croaked out, his voice thick. "Where’s Milo? Is he okay?"
Ruby looked at his messy hair, at Adrian standing stiff behind him, and her throat ached. She nodded gently, lifting a hand to calm him. "Let’s talk inside first, okay?"
She stepped in fully and blinked in surprise when she saw Kenji in the kitchen. He looked up and gave her a warm nod. "Miss Ruby," he said softly, "I came early to check on everyone. I made tea and breakfast—please eat a little before you do anything else."
Ruby’s eyes stung at the simple kindness. She felt so touched she didn’t know what to say at first. "Thank you, Kenji... really... thank you," she said, her voice a little watery.
After she’d washed her face and changed into fresh robes, she sat with them in the living room and told them everything— how the doctors found a hole in his heart, and how he needed surgery soon.
Kenji covered his mouth, eyes wide, looking shocked and sad. Adrian’s shoulders stiffened, his expression going completely blank, but his eyes were stormy, like he was holding in every heavy thought at once. And Karl burst into tears the moment he heard "hole in his heart." He grabbed Ruby’s hands and cried loudly, his shoulders shaking so hard Kenji had to pat his back to calm him down.
Ruby thanked Kenji over and over for staying, for feeding them, for taking care of them, for making sure the house didn’t feel so heavy and empty. Kenji only waved his hand, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. "Miss Ruby, you’re family to us. Of course we’d help."
Ruby quickly packed a bag with clothes, snacks, and all the small things Milo and Julian might need at the hospital—extra blankets, bedsheets, Milo’s drawing book, and even Karl’s favorite candy, just in case.
After Ruby finished packing the bag with clothes, soft blankets, and a few of Milo’s favorite things, she zipped it shut with a small sigh. Karl was still sitting close to her on the floor, sniffing loudly, wiping his tears with his sleeve every few minutes. Adrian stood by the door, arms crossed, eyes dark but so quiet that it almost hurt more than Karl’s sobs.
Kenji was still in the kitchen, tidying up the tea cups and trying to give them space while staying close enough in case they needed anything.
Ruby looked at Karl and Adrian, feeling the heavy silence fill the room. Before she could even open her mouth to say anything, Karl suddenly blurted out, voice thick but determined, "Wife—I’m coming with you! I want to see Milo! I... I want to tell him sorry... and I want him to see we’re all here."
Adrian looked away from the window then, his jaw tense. He stepped closer, his eyes meeting Ruby’s for just a moment. "I’m coming too," he said simply, his deep voice steady but low. "I need to see him with my own eyes."
Ruby’s heart warmed a little, even with the worry sitting heavy in her chest. She reached out and patted Karl’s messy hair softly, then touched Adrian’s wrist for a brief second. "Alright," she said gently. "Then we’ll all go together. He’ll be so happy to see you both."
Kenji peeked around the corner with a small smile. "Good. He needs his family close right now."
They packed up the last bits together, double-checking the bag for Milo.
When they stepped out, Kenji handed Ruby a small cloth bundle of warm buns. "For you all," he said kindly. "You’ll need the strength."
Ruby thanked him again, her eyes soft, touched by how caring he was. Then they locked the door behind them and stepped out into the fresh morning air—Karl holding onto the strap of the bag like it was precious, Adrian walking just behind Ruby.
And when they finally saw the sign for XT Healing Hospital ahead.
Ruby parked the car carefully in the small lot just outside the quiet side entrance of XT Healing Hospital.
Karl practically jumped out of the car first, hugging the bag of clothes to his chest like it was treasure. Adrian closed the car door gently behind Ruby, his steps calm but his eyes sharp, always watching, always holding everything inside.
Inside the hospital, the white floors and faint herbal scent wrapped around them. They walked past the main reception where nurses greeted them with soft nods, recognizing Ruby right away. She guided them to the lift at the end of the long hallway. Karl fidgeted the whole ride up, peeking at his reflection in the shiny doors, rubbing his puffy eyes with the sleeve of his robe. Adrian stood behind him, one hand on Karl’s shoulder.
When the lift doors slid open, Ruby stepped out first. "This way," she said softly, leading them down the bright corridor lined with simple wall lamps and soft art frames to make the ward feel less cold. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Karl wasn’t wandering off — he stuck right behind her like an anxious duckling.
—To be continued...🪄