After each visit, Lily’s color improved, her breathing steadied, and her monitor lines evened out. Maya began writing it down: “Milo—protective. Won’t leave this patient.” Soon the question spread through the ward, whispered by nurses, parents, even doctors: Why was Milo attached to her, among so many other patients?
Over the next few days, Milo’s protectiveness deepened. He began to growl softly whenever anyone reached near Lily’s chest—never at her, but at the hands hovering too close to her healing incision. His low warning hum was enough to make even seasoned nurses hesitate.