Haisley took a deep breath, trying to choose her words carefully. "I was just... curious. That doctor earlier—who was he? It felt like he knew you really well."
Lucas turned his gaze forward again, pausing for a moment before answering."That was Brian. He's the son of our family's private doctor. He's two years older than me. We used to play together a lot when we were kids."
He let out a soft sigh and gave a slight shrug—a small gesture that hinted at deeper memories."If I got hurt, he wouldn't pity me. He'd scold me first. It kind of became a routine."
Haisley gave a faint smile, catching the subtle sarcasm in Lucas's tone.
"The funny thing is," Lucas continued, his voice dropping lower, more reflective, "the one who checks on me the most isn't my own mother. It's Brian's mom. She's warm. She calls me, sends Brian over if she hears I haven't eaten or if I look pale. My own mother... she's too busy to even ask how I'm doing."
