The door eased open, and Seven stepped inside, a basin of supplies balanced in his hands. Lara approached him, her posture crisp and alert.

  “Colonel, we still don’t know who’s behind the ambush. Chief wants me to stand guard outside.”

  Seven set the basin on the overbed table, his expression even. “Since I’m here, that’s unnecessary,” he countered. “You should take Mr. Porter’s bed tonight or head home and rest. I’ll be operating on him at ten tomorrow. If you’re not staying, be back by nine so I can brief you on Sana’s care.”

  He paused, his gaze sharpening. “The surgery will take about six hours. Until we know who’s after her, you can’t leave her side while I’m gone. Ask Kasra if he wants to assign extra guards on duty during that time. If not, we’ll manage it ourselves.”

  “Understood. I’ll call Chief now.” Lara said, her fingers already reaching for her phone in her pocket. The moment the call connected, she quickly conveyed Seven’s thoughts.

  Kasra’s words crackled through the line, decisive and clear. “Lara, follow Seven’s instructions. Also, deploy two guards outside the ward in 12-hour rotations until James and Sana are discharged. Everyone is to follow his lead. Clear?”

  “Yes, Chief.”

  Lara ended the call and turned to Seven. “Colonel, two guards will be stationed here in shifts, starting at nine tomorrow morning. Does that work for you?”

  Seven’s mouth quirked faintly. “That’s fine.”

  Relief flickered across Lara’s features. “Colonel, I’ll head home tonight.”

  “Alright. See you in the morning,” he said, then added, “And call me Seven.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “G’night, Seven. G’night, Sana.”

  “G’night, Lara,” they replied in unison.

  The door clicked shut, and Seven turned his attention to Sana, his composure intact, though a flicker of uncertainty lingered beneath.

  “Sana, considering the threat against you, I can give you a sponge bath. But if you’d prefer a nurse, I’d need to keep a close eye on her. It’s your call.”

  Sana froze. Her eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. It was already way past midnight. She bit her lip, weighing the options. Given that Seven is a man, a nurse would be more appropriate, but calling a nurse at this hour seemed rather inconsiderate, almost rude.

  The idea of him, a man she barely knew, helping her with something so personal made her stomach twist. Isn’t that awkward? her mind whispered.

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  Then, a second thought cleaved through the first. Tsk. He’s a surgeon. He’s already operated on me. He’s literally seen everything. So what’s the big deal?

  That did it.

  “It’s late,” she mused, still staring at the clock. “I doubt the nurse would appreciate the call.” Her gaze met his, steady, resolute. “It’s fine. You can do it.”

  Seven inclined his head. “Alright, as you wish.”

  He spread a plastic sheet over the adjacent bed and lifted her with unhurried precision, transferring her over. Then, he stripped the used linens and smoothed clean ones across the mattress with neat, practiced movements.

  “I’m going to fetch hot water,” he said over his shoulder, and disappeared briefly.

  When he returned, steam curled from the basin, mingling with the faint scent of soap. He dipped a towel into the water, wrung it out, and began by wiping her face with slow, measured strokes that felt oddly tender.

  Sana watched him through lowered lashes, pulse thrumming. His profile was striking in the muted light, his concentration unwavering even in something so mundane.

  “So,” she ventured, trying to distract herself from the closeness, “you lost touch with your sister for many years?”

  His hands stilled for a moment before resuming. “Yes. Around six years.”

  “Why? Is it because you joined the military?” she asked.

  He shook his head slightly. “No, she had a falling out with our father. She ran away from home.”

  Sana’s brow furrowed. “Oh... Why did she join the police force? She seems too pretty to be a cop. It feels so random.”

  Melancholy touched his features. “It’s complicated. She believed Dad favored sons over daughters. If I’m right, she chose the police force because she feared he’d block her from joining the military. He was a General.”

  “Was?”

  “Yes. He passed recently.”

  Her breath caught. “I’m so sorry, Seven.”

  “Thank you.” His voice was low, distant.

  “And your mom?”

  “She passed more than a decade ago.”

  Sana faltered. “I… I’m sorry…”

  “It’s alright.” His tone softened. “It was her passing that drove me to medicine.”

  Her expression gentled. “Your parents raised two incredible kids.”

  He gave a quiet nod. “Thank you.”

  “Seven, I—”

  “Hold that thought,” he murmured, straightening. “I need to change the water.”

  When he returned, his movements were smooth, deliberate. “Now, I’ll clean your torso. I’ll keep your gown on the whole time. Once I’m done, I’ll slide a fresh gown over this one so you only need to slip your arms through. You’ll stay covered and warm.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered. His touch was light but steady, his voice a low cadence that lulled her as he worked. Her eyelids grew heavy, her body loosened, tension ebbing away despite the chill in the air.

  He finished quickly, draped the new gown, and eased her arms through the sleeves with care. Then he disappeared again to replace the water.

  When he returned, he cleaned her limbs with the same measured care, then changed her dressings without fuss. Finally, he lifted her back into his arms, carried her to her bed, and tucked the blanket snugly around her.

  “All done,” he said softly. “Hope you enjoyed your sponge bath.”

  Silence answered him.

  He glanced down and found her fast asleep, her face serene. A quiet laugh slipped from his lips.

  No wonder you stopped talking, he murmured to himself. You fell asleep on me. A pause, then softer still, Well, you've had a rough day.