"That is not what I meant, Mr. Wildblood," Leo interrupted, his voice dropping into a lower register, carefully tuned to sound wounded.
Leo paused, looking down for a moment with an expression shadowed by deep sorrow. "My wife is also being treated in this hospital. In fact, even my mother-in-law is fighting an illness in this very same building."
Leo looked up, meeting Henry's gaze with a weary, practiced look designed to fish for empathy. "So, when I heard your daughter was also a patient here, I felt we shared a common fate. I simply thought we could share some sympathy as two men looking after those we love."
Henry seemed taken aback. His tightly knit brows rose slightly. "So, you are married?"
"That is correct, Sir," Leo answered with a convincing, weak nod.
"My apologies," Henry said, his voice beginning to soften.
The tension radiating from his body gradually eased. "I truly had no idea your wife was also ill. I suppose I was far too quick to assume the worst."
