As she stepped into the room, her father looked up and greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes brighter than she'd seen in weeks. "Helen, you're here," he said, his tone gentle.
"I am," she replied, glancing between him and Magnar. "Looks like you two are getting along well."
Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "This young man knows how to make me laugh," he said, surprising Helen with the softness in his voice.
Magnar turned to Helen, his expression calm but full of understanding. "I was just keeping him company."
Helen smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you," she said softly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than usual.
"But why are you here?" she asked.
"Nothing much. One of my friend's kids is sick. I came to visit her. And I decided to visit Dad too," he replied. Magnar was scared that she would be angry, so he made up a lie and revealed the truth to her.
