章 78: Nick Tried His Best

"Amelia?" Nick called out for the third time, his voice gentle but growing more concerned with each repetition. She didn't respond, lost in her own thoughts, her eyes staring blankly ahead. When he gently shook her shoulder, she blinked, startled, as if waking from a deep sleep.

"Nick?" she asked, her voice unsure, as though she'd forgotten he was even there.

He smiled softly, trying to bring her back to the present. "I made steak. You've gotta try it. You'll love it." He motioned to the plate in front of her, but Amelia's expression didn't change. She looked down at the steak with confusion, not admiration, as if it was the first time she'd ever seen food at all.

Nick, ever patient, didn't push. Instead, he sat beside her, pulling her plate closer to him. Carefully, he sliced the steak into small, bite-sized pieces and speared one with the fork. Bringing it to her lips, he smiled. "C'mon, open up, babe."