CHAPTER 81: SMALL VICTORIES

Alex pushed open the door. Linda sat beside Nina’s bed, spooning soup into her mouth. Nina was sitting up, looking better than she had in days.

"Hey, we were waiting for you," Mike said as he stood up from his chair. "The hospital staff came by while you were gone... they’re setting up a family dinner in about thirty minutes."

"Dinner here?" Alex asked, a little surprised.

"Yeah, part of the VIP package, I guess. Just hope they don’t bring us the usual tasteless hospital food," Mike said with a smirk.

Alex gave a small chuckle, but his eyes quickly moved to Nina. "How’s she doing?" he asked softly.

Linda glanced up, her eyes shining with relief.

"Alex... she’s finally eating. After weeks of nothing staying down... she’s keeping it in."

Nina swallowed another spoonful and looked at Alex proudly. "I ate soup, big brother Alex. Chicken soup."

"That’s amazing, sweetheart," Alex said, sitting down.

"Can I have more?" Nina asked Linda.

"Let’s see how this sits first," Linda replied, setting the spoon down.

Mike stretched. "So dinner in half an hour. Everyone hungry?"

Nina nodded weakly. "Maybe just a little bit."

"That’s perfect," Linda said, wiping her eyes. "Just having you eat with us again."

Alex watched Nina take another careful sip of water, her color already better than it had been that morning.

After everything he’d learned downstairs, this felt like the most important thing happening in the building.

"I’m hungry too," Nina announced quietly.

Linda laughed through her tears. "Music to my ears, baby girl."

***

Thirty minutes later, two hospital staff members wheeled in a cart with actual dinner service. Real plates, cloth napkins, even a small vase with flowers for the bedside table.

"This is fancy," Mike said, helping them set up a makeshift dining area around Nina’s bed.

"Better than the cafeteria," Danny added, pulling chairs closer.

Nina watched everything with wide eyes. "It smells good."

The meal was simple but well-prepared - grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables. Nina’s portion was smaller, kidney-friendly modifications the dietary team had made specifically for her condition.

"Look at this," David said, cutting Nina’s chicken into tiny pieces. "Like a real restaurant."

"Can I try the potatoes?" Nina asked.

Linda helped her with a small forkful. Nina chewed slowly, considering. "They taste normal."

"Normal’s good," Alex said, taking his own bite.

For the first few minutes, conversation was light. Comments about the food, gentle teasing about Mike’s enthusiasm for the dinner rolls, Danny telling Nina about what she’d missed at school.

Nina managed several small bites before setting down her fork. "I’m getting sleepy."

"That’s okay, baby," Linda said. "You did great."

Nina’s eyelids were already drooping. The combination of her first real meal in weeks and the ongoing effects of treatment were catching up with her.

"Can I just rest a little?" she asked, her voice getting softer.

"Of course," David said, helping adjust her pillows. "We’ll be right here."

Within minutes, Nina had drifted off, her breathing steady and peaceful.

The family continued eating, voices automatically dropping to whispers.

"She looks so much better," Linda said quietly.

Danny let out a soft breath, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah... her color’s back. That’s a good sign."

Mike nodded toward the half-eaten plate. "And she actually ate something."

They finished the meal in a gentle quiet, the kind that comes after a storm finally begins to break.

Alex kept his gaze on Nina’s sleeping face, taking in the serene rise and fall of her chest. Just that morning, her face had been tight with pain, eyes glassy and restless, every breath a struggle.

Now... the tension was gone, replaced with a calm, almost angelic peace that filled him with quiet relief.

***

After the dinner service was cleared away, Linda and David made their arrangements to stay the night in Nina’s room. The hospital had provided a fold-out bed and reclining chair, standard accommodation for parents in the pediatric wing.

David reached over, resting a steady hand on Alex’s shoulder and giving it a small squeeze. Gratitude shone in his eyes, unspoken but unmistakable.

"You boys should get some rest too," he said quietly. "You’ve been running around all day."

Alex only nodded, the weight of the long hours finally catching up with him.

"We’re fine," Danny protested, but fatigue was evident in his voice.

"No arguments," David said firmly. "Nina’s stable, and we’ll call if anything changes."

Alex only nodded, the weight of the long hours finally catching up with him.

***

The corridor was quiet, softly lit by warm overhead lights. They walked together, the hum of medical machines and distant footsteps accompanying them.

Outside, the night had deepened, the city’s glow filtering faintly through the windows.

Their temporary rooms were modest but comfortable... single beds, small desks, and clean linens

"Hell of a day," Mike said, dropping onto one of the beds fully clothed.

"Hell of a day," Danny agreed, settling onto another bed.

Alex chose the bed closest to the window, but sleep felt distant despite his exhaustion.

His mind was still processing everything - Nina’s improvement, Viktor’s desperate situation, the revelation about the world’s true power structures.

"Think she’s going to be okay?" Danny asked quietly.

"Yeah," Alex said. "She’s going to be fine."

Mike’s phone buzzed on the bedside table. He picked it up, sighing. "Lila again... she’s been blowing up my phone all day."

"Dude, answer it," Danny urged, a teasing lilt in his voice. "She’s probably worried sick. "

"I... I don’t even know what to say," Mike muttered, glancing at Alex, who raised an eyebrow knowingly.

"Just be honest," Alex said, voice deadpan. "Tell her what’s really been going on. No sugarcoating."

Mike took a deep breath. "Fine..." He swiped to answer. "Hey, Lila."

Even from their beds, Alex and Danny could hear her voice through the speaker... sweet, worried, almost purring with concern.

"Mike! Where have you been? I’ve been calling all day. I was starting to think something happened to you!"

Mike’s voice softened, gentle and attentive. "I’m so sorry, babe. It’s been... a really long day. Danny’s little sister, Nina, had a medical emergency. We’ve been at the hospital all day with her family."

Alex exchanged a look with Danny, who barely managed to stifle a laugh. Mike’s tone was so ridiculously tender it was almost cartoonish.

"Oh... oh my god, is she okay?" Lila whispered, concern dripping from every syllable.

"She’s stable now," Mike said, his voice full of warmth. "She’s sleeping, finally. The doctors say she’s improving. We stayed with her all day."

There was a brief pause on the line, the kind that made Alex and Danny bite their lips to keep from bursting out laughing.

"I... I really want to meet her," Lila said softly, her voice warm and eager. "Nina, I mean... and maybe you could introduce me to your friends too... Danny, Alex... everyone."

Mike’s eyes glimmered with exaggerated warmth, leaning into the sweetness of his tone. "I know you do, babe. She’d probably love to meet you as well. But... we need to be careful, hospital rules and all that."

Lila’s voice grew a touch firmer, playful impatience lacing her words. "Rules don’t matter, Mike. I just want to see her... and you."

Mike sighed dramatically, as if her request were the most delightful burden in the world. "Okay, Lila... you can meet her. And I’ll introduce you to everyone... Danny, Alex... everyone. I swear."

Lila’s laugh was light, warm. "Perfect. I’m really looking forward to meeting them... especially since it’ll be the first time, and you’ll be introducing me as your girlfriend."

Mike smiled, voice dripping with affection. "You’ll see. They’re... incredible people. And I think you’ll fit right in."

Alex and Danny exchanged barely-contained smirks.

The way Mike had his voice, leaning into every word of concern, every soft sigh, made him sound like a devoted boyfriend straight out of a drama... and they both knew exactly how much of an act it was.

Lila’s tone softened to a whisper. "I knew you’d take care of everything, Mike. You always do... I trust you."

Mike ran a hand through his hair, a tired smile softening his features. "Hearing your voice... it just... it makes everything feel lighter. Today’s been insane, and honestly, I don’t know how I’d have made it through without you checking in. You have this way of... calming me down, even when I’m completely drained."

There was a quiet pause on the line, then Lila’s voice came, soft and a little shy. "I... I’m glad, Mike. I just... I like knowing I can help, even a little."

A small laugh escaped him. "You always do. Just hearing you makes the day a little easier."

"Good," Lila said, a hint of warmth and satisfaction in her tone. "You’ve always been amazing, Mike. I... I can’t wait to see you later."

Mike’s smile came through his voice, gentle and full of affection. "Me too, babe. Me too."

***

Author’s Note:

Hello Dear Readers,

Our Discord channel is finally live! 🎨✨

I’ll be sharing all the character illustrations, concept art, and extra visuals there so you can see the story come to life. You can also chat, discuss, and even share your suggestions with me and other readers. Come hang out with us!

Link: