Passed away?

Perhaps it was the weather, but the hospital's pediatric ward felt unusually empty that day. Only Griseo and Cui Ji's footsteps echoed softly along the white-tiled corridor, and even the smell of disinfectant felt oppressive.

The nurse on duty at the nurses' station looked up. Seeing them, she set down her pen and asked, "May I ask... who are you looking for?"

Holding Griseo's hand, Cui Ji approached the station and asked politely, "Hello, we're looking for little Claire. She's the patient in room 509."

509... Claire?

Hadn't that little girl...?

The nurse quickly pulled out the logbook and flipped through it. When she reached a certain page, her expression changed slightly.

"You're her..." The nurse looked up, her gaze moving between them as her voice grew hesitant.

"Friends," Griseo supplied, watching the nurse quietly with her purple eyes.

Looking into those eyes, the nurse suddenly found it hard to speak—in her eyes, Griseo was far too young to have to endure the grief of losing a friend.

But after a sigh, the nurse still said, "I'm sorry, girls. Little Claire in room 509... developed a sudden illness. The surgery failed, and she has passed away."

!!!

As the nurse's words fell, the air in the corridor seemed to freeze for an instant. Griseo and Cui Ji both stared at her in shock.

How was that possible?

The nurse's face was reflected in Griseo's purple eyes as she tried to determine whether the woman was lying—but unfortunately, the fluctuations in her colors showed that she was telling the truth.

Seeing Griseo's reaction, Cui Ji gathered herself and continued asking, "Miss, what about little Claire's father?"

The nurse shook her head, looking apologetic.

"I'm sorry, we don't know the details either. Mr. Morel left very suddenly... He said he was going