The change in her tone was so obvious that Charlotte noticed it at once. She glanced at her daughter before turning to look at Xavier.
Like her, Xavier had noticed the shift in the way Clara addressed him.
However, he didn't comment on it.
His brows only furrowed for a different reason as he walked in, heading straight to Clara's side.
His gaze dropped to her hand —where the IV needle had almost been pulled out, blood slowly seeping from the wound.
"You need to be careful when moving with the needle attached," he said gently, concern evident in his tone. "You made yourself bleed."
Clara glanced at her hand before looking up at him with a faint smile —one that no longer carried the same ease as before.
"It's fine," she said softly. "It doesn't hurt that much."
Xavier frowned, his expression darkening slightly at her words. He looked at her as though trying to see through everything she wasn't saying.
