Grandpa shot Zia a long, knowing look. She immediately shut her mouth, flashed a small guilty grin, and hurried over to sit beside him.
Elara's gaze lingered on her grandfather's face for a moment before she walked over and stopped in front of him. "Is he the man?" she asked, even though she had already made a quiet guess.
He did not answer immediately.
Elara sat down beside him and waited patiently. Zia opened her mouth as if to speak, then quickly pressed her lips together again.
After a short while, he nodded. "He is."
"He is…" Elara repeated, letting out a short laugh. She don't even know what to say.
What should we call this? Kindness? Or pity… or something else?
Then her eyes sharpened and she looked up at him again. "But why is he still coming here? I thought he only helped with your hospital bills. Is there something you're hiding from me?"
"Come on, girl," Grandpa sighed. "How can I hide things from you?"
