Kate's smile did not waver.
She stepped into the room, heels clicking softly against the floor, flowers held in front of her like a shield. Her eyes moved from Berlin on the bed, to Mrs. Lydia standing beside it, to Dr. Harrison checking the monitors.
"I came as soon as I could," she said warmly. "I heard the nurses saying there was activity. Is she waking up?"
Dr. Harrison looked up. "We don't know yet. It could be a sign. Or it could be temporary stimulation. We'll need to run tests."
"Of course." Kate nodded with perfect concern and moved to set the flowers on the side table.
Mrs. Lydia watched her.
She watched the way Kate angled herself slightly toward the bed, the way her eyes drifted to Berlin's face like someone reading a document they already knew the contents of. She watched the way Kate's fingers lingered too long on the vase as she arranged the flowers, as though buying herself time to think.
