Right then, Barry entered the room, balancing multiple carrier bags, the aroma of dinner wafting through the air. Natasha, momentarily undone by Seven’s gaze, felt as if her soul had been ripped from her, only to realize the many eyes pinned on her.

  Nathan, ever observant, caught the awkward tension. “Their dinner’s here, Nat. We should probably get going,” he suggested, lightly patting her shoulder.

  Natasha hesitated, stealing one last glance at Seven before nodding. Just as Nathan began to steer her toward the door, she turned back, summoning her courage.

  “Seven, I was wondering... would you like to have dinner with me?” Her voice was soft but laden with vulnerability. The room seemed to pause for a heartbeat.

  Seven turned toward her, his expression calm but firm. “Some other time, Natasha. I’m on the clock right now.”

  Natasha’s heart sank. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she forced a smile, trying to mask the sting of his rejection.

  Why did I even ask him? She chided herself inwardly. “Of course, I understand,” she managed, keeping her composure.

  Reluctantly, she followed Nathan out. The door clicked shut behind them, and silence filled the hallway. Natasha’s usual confidence faltered, and Nathan didn’t miss it. “Don’t take it personally, Nat,” he said gently.

  Natasha let out a sharp breath. “We haven’t seen each other for so many years, yet he wasn’t even willing to step out for a little while.” The frustration in her tone barely hid her disappointment.

  Nathan’s voice was even, “Hey, Nat, to be a colonel at his age, he must be very disciplined, not to mention responsible. Seven must have been focused on his work back there.”

  Nathan paused, carefully choosing his words. He didn’t want to upset her, but the truth felt necessary. “In any case, I don’t think he’s... I don’t think he’s into you like that.”

  Natasha froze mid-stride, determination set in her bones. “I don’t care. I’m not giving up that easily. Maybe, it was inconvenient; after all, he was in a room full of people…”

  Nathan sighed, recognizing that familiar stubborn streak in her. He admired her tenacity, but it also worried him. “Nat, I’m just looking out for you. It’s one thing to go after someone hard to get, it’s another to chase someone who doesn’t want to be caught.”

  She crossed her arms, her chin tilting upward. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge before. Why should I start now?”

  Nathan gave her a look, weary but candid. “I just think that, in all these years, he hadn’t stayed in touch. That’s saying something, don’t you think? Sometimes, it’s not about pushing harder. It’s about knowing when to let go.”

  Natasha flashed a wobbly grin. “We’ll see.” The image of her father sprang to mind—her trump card. If it came to that, she wouldn’t hesitate to use it.

  ……

  Back in the ward, the mood lightened after Nathan and Natasha’s exit.

  “Alright, let’s eat before dinner gets cold,” Kasra said, gesturing toward the food.

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  “Let me feed Sana first. You guys go ahead,” Seven murmured, searching through the packages for her order.

  Ami arched a brow, finding what he said unsettling. “Young man, Sana can feed herself. Don’t spoil her.”

  Seven looked up, his tone calm but firm. “Mrs. Shahi, there’s a catheter inside the cannula—kinda like a soft needle. It’s flexible but still sharp enough to cause injury if tugged. Sana ignored my instructions this morning and hurt her hand while brushing her teeth. The nurse had to move it to her forearm while I was in surgery. I’m not spoiling her; I’m making sure she stays safe.”

  Ami’s frown softened into reluctant approval. “Alright then. And please, call me Aunt Ami like Little Kate does.”

  Seven’s lips curved slightly. “Okay, Aunt Ami.”

  He opened a container, scooped out a spoonful of broth, and blew softly on it before offering it to Sana. His movements were careful and tender as he fed her.

  Sana’s eyes sparkled with delight, her heart dancing despite the earlier appearance of a certain rival. Whatever Natasha had hoped for, Seven had turned her down and that was enough for now.

  Ami, however, didn’t miss the way Seven watched her daughter's every expression. Her maternal instincts blared like warning bells.

  “Seven, I can see you’re taking very good care of Sana, but don’t indulge her too much,” she said lightly, gaze sharp. “If you keep this up, she’ll have you wrapped around her little pinky.”

  Sana’s mouth fell open, incredulous. “Mom, am I that slick?”

  Ami smirked. “Well, am I wrong?”

  Sensing that his wife and daughter were about to cross swords, Sadra stepped in, his pulse quickening. “Come on now, please don’t argue with each other.”

  Then, he tugged gently at Ami’s waist. “Darling, Princess is injured.”

  Kian seized the moment to stir the pot. “Mom, you’re the last person who should talk about spoiling her. Everyone knows you’re the worst offender!”

  Laughter erupted from the brothers, confirming his jab.

  Ami shot them a glare, feigning indignation. “What a pack of rascals! Princess, once you’re better, let’s ditch your stinky brothers and travel the world, just the two of us!”

  Her remark triggered another round of chuckles, but Sana tactfully reasoned, “Mom, who’s going to take charge of Data Dynamics if both of us skedaddled at the same time? Kas is already juggling Dynamics Group and TITAN. He’s so busy, he’s still single.”

  Kasra’s chest warmed at his sister’s defense. “Princess, I didn’t dote on you for nothing. I’m your favorite brother, right?”

  Oops! World War Three incoming!

  Sana glanced at her other brothers, spotting the scowls forming on their faces. A headache loomed.

  Thankfully, her mother came to her rescue. “Don’t make things difficult for Princess! She’s injured, and you still want to put her in a tough spot? Besides, if we’re talking favorites, none of you can outrank me; I’m her mother!”

  Another burst of laughter rippled through the room.

  Finally, Sana declared she was full. Satisfied that she’d eaten enough, Seven reached for her leftovers.

  She blinked. “W–Why are you eating my leftovers?”

  Seven's hand froze mid-scoop, confused. “Didn’t you say you were done? What’s the matter?”

  Her words tumbled out, awkward and rushed. “Well… they’re leftovers and you’re even using my spoon. T–There’s... my saliva on it.”

  Seven smirked as realization dawned. “It’s not good to waste food. Besides, your spoon has been in the soup countless times; what difference does it make now?”

  Sana bit her lip. Was she suddenly a germaphobe? “D–Do you usually eat other people’s leftovers?”

  Seven almost choked on a laugh. “No. Just yours. Besides, you have my blood coursing through your veins. A tiny bit of your saliva hardly compares, don’t you think?”

  Heat flared in her cheeks, unintentionally giving him a come-hither look.

  Seven was entirely captivated; it felt as if she had claimed a piece of him without even knowing it. The urge to kiss her right then and there surged within him. However, he had to suppress his desire. They weren't even an item and were in a room full of people! Instead, he reached for a tissue, his touch feather-light as he wiped away a stray soup stain from the corner of her lips.

  A/N:

  Can you guess what was stolen... and by whom?