IHM-XIX

NIKOLAI SMITH

"B-But why will you buy me a house?" She asked, her voice trembling as her gaze remained fixed on the house before her, its presence a profound mystery. I gently wiped away the tears that clung to the corners of her eyes, my touch tender and reassuring.

"I realized you were going to have a panic attack from going back to the old place, and as it turns out, I was right. You almost had one on our way here because you kept counting," I explained softly, my concern evident in my tone. "But there's more to this house than just preventing another panic attack. The reasons run deeper and I will tell you when the time is right."

She continued to shake her head in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the significance of what I'd done. "Y-You noticed?" Her voice quivered with vulnerability.