Milo’s protectiveness, however, only intensified. He began positioning himself between Lily and anyone who approached her too suddenly. Nurses learned to speak softly and move more slowly. It became routine, almost, until the day a technician dropped a metal tray beside the bed.
The crash startled everyone. Milo lunged with a snarl that froze the room. It lasted only a second. His teeth never touched anyone, but the sound, raw and wild, silenced the entire ward. It was the first time Maya felt real fear around him.