Outside the hospital room, Clyde paused, his hand hovered for a moment on the doorknob before he turned to Emile. His eyes softened just enough to mask the turmoil underneath. "Go back home for now. Let the kitchen prepare a porridge for tomorrow morning."
Emile tilted his head slightly and cautiously checked Clyde's expression. "Alright," he said after noticing his uncle looked calm.
Clyde's only response was a small nod.
Emile glanced once at the hospital door before turning away. His figure disappeared down the long corridor in seconds.
Clyde walked a few steps down and sank onto a bench in the hallway. He rested his elbows on his knees, fingers lacing together until his knuckles blanched. His eyes never wavered from Micah's door as if the panel was the only thread tying him to the boy inside.
Micah was throwing a tantrum, Clyde thought with dismay. Throwing him out of the room, not letting him touch or get close, not speaking with him…
