CHAPTER 28

Kiara stared at her father, her hand still resting on the doorknob. "Dad?" She frowned, unable to believe that it was really him.

"Yes, sweetheart?" He gave a little smile, pocketing his hands in his dark blue suit pants.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, still stunned by her father's appearance. Last, she recalled, he told her he'd be gone for three days, but it had only been two.

"Oh, well, the hospital tried to reach you, but they said they couldn't." He scratched his head. "So, they phoned me as a reference and updated me on Clara's health condition."

Kiara moved closer, the rustle of the bags being the loudest sound in the room. "Oh, so how is she?" Kiara looked down at Clara on the hospital bed. Her lips were cracked, and her skin was becoming pale, though not much of a difference from the first time she was admitted to the hospital.

"Clara? How do you feel, sweetie?" Kiara asked, lightly sweeping her hair away from her eyes.

"I'm okay..." Clara croaked, with barely enough s