Chapter 4
894 Words
“And you think he had a choice?” Eleanor asked.
“I don’t care. After all, I’m here to stand on the front line of the war,” Kaysen said.
“What do you mean? You’re getting the wrong idea,” Eleanor said, wiping her tears with her palm.
“Wrong idea?” Kaysen let out a bitter laugh.
“Why do you think I was trained? To eat free food? Spend free money? Sleep in a free mansion? Drive free luxurious cars? What a joke!”
“That’s not true,” Eleanor said softly.
“Isn’t it obvious enough? A stray living in luxury… isn’t that funny?” Kaysen’s voice grew colder.
“Not everything needs to be said out loud to be understood.”
“Please… stop thinking like that,” Eleanor pleaded.
“I’m disappointed in you,” Kaysen said quietly. “From now on, I just need to know my boundaries.”
He turned and walked out of the room without looking back.
Next Morning – Airport
The airport buzzed with activity as passengers rushed toward their gates.
Sarah walked quickly through the terminal with her children, Brenna and Franklin, their luggage rolling behind them.
Sarah was Eleanor’s nanny. Franklin, her eldest child, was eighteen, while Brenna, his younger sister, was sixteen.
“We shouldn’t have come back so soon,” Brenna said, clearly disappointed.
“I know, sweetie, but we had to,” Sarah replied, worry evident in her voice. “Eleanor is in the hospital. We need to be there for her.”
“Is Eleanor going to be okay, Mom?” Franklin asked quietly.
Sarah forced a small smile.
“The hospital said she’s stable… but we need to get there quickly. Let’s find a taxi.”
As they approached the taxi stand, Brenna spoke again. “Do you think Kaysen is with her?”
Sarah nodded thoughtfully. “I’m sure he is. He’s always been protective of Eleanor.”
Before Sarah could call a taxi, a sleek black SUV pulled up beside them.
The window rolled down, revealing one of the Sawyer family’s bodyguards.
“Mrs. Sarah, Mr. Franklin, Miss Brenna,” he greeted with a nod. “Mr. Sawyer sent me to pick you up.”
Sarah blinked in surprise. “Oh… thank you. We weren’t expecting...”
“Please get in. Mr. Sawyer is waiting at the hospital.”
They quickly loaded their luggage and got into the SUV.
As the car pulled away, Brenna asked again,
“Is Eleanor really okay?”
“She’s stable,” the bodyguard replied. “But Mr. Sawyer is worried. He’ll explain everything when you arrive.”
The rest of the ride passed in silence, each of them lost in anxious thoughts.
Same Morning – Hospital
Brenna rushed into the room, her eyes already filled with tears.
“Elle!” she cried.
“My baby is so big now,” Eleanor said happily as Brenna wrapped her in a careful hug.
“I had to come,” Brenna said, smiling through her tears.
“Where is Frank?” Eleanor asked as they pulled apart.
“Right here,” Franklin said as he walked in with Sarah.
“Acting cold? Don’t you miss me?” Eleanor teased.
“I don’t,” Franklin replied flatly.
“That can’t be,” Eleanor smirked.
“Of course I missed you,” he said, ruffling her hair.
“Just like you,” Eleanor laughed.
“Nanny!” Eleanor called happily as soon as she saw Sarah.
“Yes, my daughter,” Sarah replied warmly, pulling her into a hug.
“I missed you so much.”
“Me too,” Eleanor smiled. “I missed your cooking, your kind words… everything.”
Sarah kissed her hair gently.
“Where is Kay?” Franklin suddenly asked.
“That’s true. It’s unlike him not to be here,” Brenna added.
“We had a disagreement,” Eleanor said casually.
“You two are always so close,” Sarah said.
“Yeah… but things happen,” Eleanor replied.
“I’m sure you caused it,” Franklin teased.
“He just didn’t understand me,” Eleanor said.
“And you think you understand him?” Brenna asked.
“I do.”
“I doubt that,” Franklin muttered.
“You two are always so close people might think you’re dating,” Brenna teased.
“Your sibling bond is truly special,” Sarah added.
“Maybe he left because I’m back,” Franklin joked.
“You wish.” Kaysen’s voice suddenly cut in as he walked into the room with Joseph.
“Mr. Sawyer,” Sarah greeted with a slight bow.
Franklin and Brenna immediately hugged Joseph.
“Sarah, welcome,” Joseph said with a smile. “I know Eleanor means a lot to you. That’s why you came back so quickly.”
“More than that. I raised her… she’s like my daughter,” Sarah replied warmly.
“Dad!” Franklin and Brenna called together.
Joseph opened his arms.
“My darlings, I missed you both.”
“We missed you too,” Brenna replied.
Joseph squinted at her.
“Wait… Brenna, did you gain weight?”
“Of course. That place suits me,” she said proudly. “Look at my cheeks. They’re round and cute now.”
“Just go back,” Franklin teased.
- Writer
