429 The Past

Seb's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected acknowledgment. He took a tentative step forward, and stood near her. She extended her hand and he quickly took it as he greeted," Mrs B. I'm here."

Mrs. Brown beckoned Seb closer, and he knelt down on the floor beside her bed. She looked at him with hopeful eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you here, young master?"

Before Seb could respond, Olivia interjected, concern etched on her face. "Mom, you need to rest. You can talk later..."

Mrs. B weakly waved away her daughter and turned her attention back to Seb, her eyes pleading for an answer. Seb hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Olivia and I were together when she received the message about you. We came here together. How could I not have come to see my favourite old woman?"

A faint smile tugged at the older woman's face as she held his hand tighter, "You're still as incorrigible as ever, little Seb."