Chapter 18.
1169 Words
"Congratulations. You're officially free," Jade laughed.
The automatic glass doors slid open.
Warm sunlight spilled across the hospital entrance as Elysia stepped outside for the first time in days.
She paused for a moment, inhaling deeply before slowly letting the breath leave her lungs.
For the first time in five years, she felt free.
She felt genuinely happy to be exactly where she was, with the people beside her.
Almost absentmindedly, her hand drifted to her stomach.
It was still flat, but touching it had already become a habit.
"Careful now," her mother reminded gently.
She had arrived a few minutes after the news bulletin announcing that the Windsors had offered a reward for information leading to Elysia's whereabouts.
"I'm fine, Mom..." Elysia groaned, unable to hide the amusement in her voice.
Ever since she'd told her mother about the pregnancy, she'd been treated like she might shatter if someone looked at her too hard.
Then again...
Compared to what her grandmother would have done if she'd been here, her mother was practically showing remarkable restraint.
"Nicole is actually being gentle because Grandma isn't here," Jade said with a grin.
"Trust me," Nicole laughed, "if Grandma were here, she'd have you wrapped in bubble wrap before you even made it out of the hospital."
Elysia couldn't help laughing.
"She's not that bad."
Three pairs of eyes turned to look at her.
"What?" she asked innocently.
Jade snorted.
"You say that because you're her favourite grandchild."
Kai, who had been quietly walking a step behind them with their bags, glanced toward the parking lot.
"I'll bring the car around," he said.
Without waiting for an answer, he picked up his pace and headed toward the parking area.
Elysia watched him go, a small smile lingering on her lips before she turned back to the others.
“Quel garçon attentionné. Bien mieux que ton mari.” Nicole said, her French accent as thick as ever.
What a thoughtful young man. Much better than your husband.
“S'il te plaît, maman, pas maintenant.” Elysia sighed, shaking her head.
"Please, Mom. Not right now."
Nicole only smiled to herself.
Meanwhile...
Bene adjusted the bouquet in one hand and the fruit basket in the other as he stepped out of his car.
His sister had been complaining since morning that if he didn't come to see her and the baby today, she'd never forgive him.
He headed toward the hospital entrance, glancing briefly at his watch.
Work had been exhausting lately.
Ever since the boss's wife had gone missing in the fire, the entire company seemed to be walking on eggshells. Everyone had been tense, and Declan himself had become even more difficult to approach.
Bene couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his boss smile.
He pushed through the hospital's automatic doors just as a small group stepped out.
He instinctively shifted to one side, allowing them to pass.
His attention was elsewhere.
His sister would skin him alive if he showed up empty-handed after making him stop for flowers on the way.
He adjusted the bouquet under his arm and continued toward the entrance.
Behind him...
“I'm fine, mom…"
The familiar voice drifted across the parking area.
He paused.
Something about it tugged at the back of his mind.
Slowly, he looked over his shoulder.
Three women stood near the hospital entrance, talking while they waited.
One of them...
His brows knitted together.
Long black hair. The same slight frame.
The woman turned slightly as she laughed at something the other had said.
Bene froze. His brows rose slightly.
"...Mrs. Windsor?" He muttered.
He turned fully and watched from the hospital entrance as a car rolled to a stop in front of them.
His brows drew together.
Without thinking, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and unlocked it.
He tapped the camera. He needed proof.
If he was going to tell Declan what he'd just stumbled upon, he couldn't go to him with nothing but his word.
Just then, a man stepped out of the driver's seat and walked around to open the passenger door for Elysia.
Click. He took a picture.
The stranger rested a protective hand against the roof of the car as Elysia climbed in.
He took another picture. Elysia climbed into the car with the support of the two women beside her. Although he couldn't see their faces clearly, something about them felt awfully familiar. Even from behind.
Bene frowned. He had never seen the man before.
But judging from the ease between them...
They weren't strangers.
Elysia reached for the car door Kai was already holding open for her. But suddenly paused.
A strange feeling settled over her. Not fear exactly.
Just...
The unmistakable sensation that someone was watching her.
She slowly turned her head. People moved in and out of the hospital entrance.
A young father struggled with an oversized diaper bag while carrying balloons.
An elderly couple shuffled toward the pharmacy.
A nurse laughed at something her colleague had said.
Everything looked perfectly normal, yet the feeling refused to disappear.
"What's wrong?"
Kai's voice broke through her thoughts.
Elysia blinked.
"...Nothing."
She looked toward the hospital one last time.
The glass entrance reflected the afternoon sun so brightly she couldn't make out anyone standing beyond it.
Maybe she was imagining things.
Maybe the news broadcast had simply gotten into her head.
A reward.
Someone out there could be looking for her. Someone could sell her location for the reward.
The thought made her stomach tighten instinctively.
Her hand drifted to her belly again.
Kai noticed it.
"You don't have to force yourself."
"I'm okay." She shook her head slightly.
"You don't look okay."
She gave him a small smile.
"I think..." She hesitated. "I think I'm just being paranoid."
Nicole overheard immediately.
"After what happened, I'd be more worried if you weren't."
Jade nodded. "Exactly."
Then she looked around dramatically.
“If anyone looks suspicious, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to throw my shoes at them.”
Nicole laughed.
"I raised you better than that." She joked.
"No you didn't."
"I didn't raise you. I know." Nicole grinned.
"Exactly."
Elysia laughed despite herself.
The heaviness in her chest eased just enough.
Kai waited patiently, holding the passenger door open for her.
"Come on."
This time she climbed inside.
As Kai closed the door, she glanced toward the hospital entrance one last time.
The uneasy feeling still lingered.
She just couldn't explain why.
Bene remained where he was until the car pulled out of the parking lot.
Only after it disappeared through the hospital gates did he lower his phone.
He looked at the photographs one by one.
Mrs. Windsor. She was still alive.
He drew a slow breath before opening his contacts.
His thumb hovered over Declan's name...
After a long moment, he slowly pulled his thumb away.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket and adjusted the bouquet under his arm.
"...Not yet.”
- Writer
