Ella’s POV:
The antiseptic sll of the hospital lingered in the air, and I wrinkled my nose as I walked through the familiar halls. Hospitals always made feel uneasy, but seeing Kate awake and smiling was a balm against the anxiety I carried. I clutched the small bouquet of white lilies I’d picked up, their soft petals brushing against my fingers as I turned the corner to her room.
It had been over a week since the fire incident, and the fear that had choked every night in Arec’s penthouse was starting to fade, if only slightly. Arec hadn’t let out since that night, insisting that I stay safe inside his private sanctuary. I had protested at first, wanting to go back to my normal life, but after everything that had happened, I knew he was right. Besides, my mother had nearly flown in herself until Arec stepped in, speaking to her in that calm, reassuring way that seed to convince everyone that things were under control. It had taken all of his charm to persuade her to stay put.
Now, as I entered Kate’s room, the sight of her upright in bed, her eyes bright with mischief, was like a ray of sunlight piercing through the gloom of the past week. She looked surprisingly well, her hair pulled back in a ssy bun, wearing a soft pink hospital gown that made her look almost serene. But that serenity was quickly shattered as she caught sight of .
"Well, if it isn’t my attempted assassin!" Kate declared, her voice full of exaggerated accusation.
I rolled my eyes, unable to keep a smile from tugging at my lips. "Co on, Kate. I didn’t an to nearly poison you," I said, moving to sit in the chair beside her bed. "I must’ve apologized a hundred tis by now."
She just smirked, reaching out to take the bouquet from my hands. "Apologies won’t bring back to life, Ella. But maybe you can make it up to by naming your child after . Kate, the Angel of Death-Cake."
"Oh, stop it!" I laughed, swatting her hand away. "I’ll call her Angel of Death-Cake, but only as a middle na. And only if she grows up with your ridiculous sense of humor."
Kate’s laughter was infectious, filling the small, sterile room with warmth. "Well, nothing is going to stop from being your chief bridesmaid and that ’angel aunt,’" she said, her eyes twinkling as she glanced down at my stomach.
I placed a hand protectively over the slight bump under my soft green sweater, feeling a strange mix of warmth and vulnerability. My stomach wasn’t that big yet, but it was enough to make everything feel so real. This tiny life was growing inside , despite everything I’d gone through, and it terrified and excited all at once.
"Seriously, Ella, this kid’s going to need my guidance to survive you as a mother," Kate said with a grin, resting back against her pillows. "I an, it’s only fair. Look how you tried to kill your best friend."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’re impossible, Kate. I’m just happy you’re feeling better." I leaned forward, taking her hand. "But really... I am so sorry. I can’t shake the thought that if I hadn’t..."
"Enough," she interrupted, giving my hand a squeeze. "You’re here now, and that’s what matters. Besides, maybe next ti, get so poison-free treats, hmm?"
Before I could retort, a soft knock ca from the door, and we both turned our heads in unison. Standing there, frad by the doorway, was Joanne, a bouquet of roses in her hand, her smile almost too perfect. Her hair was neatly curled, cascading over her shoulder, and her fitted navy dress looked almost too formal for a hospital visit. The sight of her standing there, poised and polished, made my stomach twist with unease.
"Ella," she greeted, flashing a bright, all-too-friendly smile, her gaze darting to Kate. "Arec told what happened to your friend." She stepped inside, placing the bouquet of roses on Kate’s bedside table, her heels clicking on the floor with a practiced elegance that felt out of place.
I exchanged a quick look with Kate, and I knew she was as taken aback as I was. Joanne had never shown any interest in my friends before. The last ti we’d interacted, she had made it clear she wasn’t exactly thrilled about being in Arec’s life. And now, here she was, bringing flowers, smiling like she hadn’t spent months subtly undermining .
"Joanne," I replied, forcing a polite smile. "I didn’t know you’d be stopping by."
"Well, when I heard what happened, I just had to co by," she said, her eyes flicking between Kate and . "I can’t imagine what you went through, Kate."
Kate, who had no patience for social gas, raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and mild amusent. "Oh, you know, just the usual brush with death. Keeps life interesting," she quipped, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Joanne laughed, though it sounded slightly forced. "Yes, well, I’m just glad you’re okay." She turned her attention back to , and sothing in her gaze sent a chill down my spine. "Arec was so concerned. He was telling all about it over dinner the other night."
I froze, my mind racing. Dinner? Arec hadn’t ntioned anything about seeing Joanne recently, and he was usually so transparent with . I kept my face neutral, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing rattle, but inside, a pang of unease settled like a stone in my chest.
"Oh?" I managed, keeping my tone light. "I didn’t know you two had caught up."
Joanne smiled, her lips stretching into sothing a little too sharp, a little too knowing. "Well, we go way back, you know. He was just telling about how worried he’s been for you. Said he hasn’t let you out of his sight since the fire."
There was an edge to her voice that set my nerves on end, as though she were asuring my reaction. I forced myself to et her gaze, unflinching. "Yes, he’s been protective. But it’s nice to know he has good friends to confide in."
Kate cleared her throat, her eyes flicking between Joanne and with a smirk that said she wasn’t missing a thing. "So, Joanne," she said, her tone casual but pointed. "How long have you been friends with Arec?"
"Oh, since childhood," Joanne replied, her smile widening as she glanced at . "I know him better than anyone, really."
I bit back the retort bubbling in my throat, unwilling to let her bait . This wasn’t the ti or place to get into whatever twisted competition she thought she was in. But Kate, bless her, wasn’t one to hold back.
"Well, that’s lovely," Kate said, her tone dripping with false cheerfulness. "It’s always great when people can stay close even when they...should be moving on." She looked pointedly at Joanne, then back at , and I could practically feel the smirk she was holding back.
Joanne’s smile faltered for the briefest second, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. "Yes, well," she said, her voice a little tighter, "it’s always good to support each other. That’s what friends are for."
I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the tension radiate from Joanne even as she tried to mask it with that polished, too-bright smile. She didn’t fool . Not anymore. Every word, every gesture was calculated. She wasn’t here to support anyone; she was here to remind of her place in Arec’s life, to stake her claim in a space she felt entitled to.
"Well," I said, forcing a polite smile, "thank you for stopping by. I’m sure Kate appreciates the flowers."
Joanne glanced at , her smile sharpening. "Of course. Anything for Arec’s... close ones."
The emphasis didn’t go unnoticed, and I held her gaze, refusing to back down. After a long mont, she finally looked away, smoothing a hand over her dress.
"Well," she said, her tone sickly sweet, "I should get going. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright." She gave Kate a polite nod and a tight smile before turning and walking toward the door.
As she left, I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Kate raised an eyebrow, a knowing grin spreading across her face.
"Now that was entertaining," she said, leaning back against her pillows with a satisfied look. "She’s as subtle as a brick, isn’t she?"
I rolled my eyes, finally letting the tension lt away. "You have no idea."
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