ELLAS POV
My fingers fumbled across my phone screen as I knelt beside him.
Think, Ella, think.
I searched for my phone, fingers trembling as I unlocked it. I opened my contacts—but I didn't have Alina's number. Of course I didn't. I barely had anyone's number besides—
Mrs. Karen.
I scrolled, tapped her name, and was about to hit call when the door burst open.
"What did you do?"
Alina's heels clicked sharply against the floor as she strode in, eyes darting from me to Darius on the ground.
"I—nothing! He just—he fainted. I brought the folder, and he collapsed." My voice cracked, words tumbling over each other. "I was about to call for help—"
Alina dropped to her knees beside him. Two fingers pressed to his neck, her jaw tight. A faint curse slipped from her lips, barely louder than a breath.
Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and turned away slightly. "Mitch," she said, voice low but urgent. "Bring the car to the back now, its Darius we need to go to the hospital "
She hung up and turned to me. Her eyes pinned me in place.
"You're coming."
I blinked. "What? Why?"
"I need the details," she said, voice cool as glass. "And I need to make sure word doesn't get out about this "
Then she stood, already moving.
"Let's go."
My legs moved before my mind could catch up, following her out the door.
I sat stiffly in a chair at the reception area of the hospital , my hands curled around the fraying strap of my bag like it was the only thing tethering me to reality. Every few minutes, a nurse passed by or a phone rang behind the desk, but none of it felt real. The only thing I could focus on was the sound of Alina's heels pacing just down the corridor.
She was on the phone again — the third call in ten minutes.
"No, he won't be delivering the speech. No, I don't know for how long. Just prep someone else. Someone competent," she snapped, her back to me. "Tell PR to hold the press briefing and not say a word."
I sank deeper into the chair.
So this was my first day.
A man nearly died. And now I was sitting in a hospital, waiting to find out if he'd even wake up.
Alina finally hung up and turned toward me. She walked over and sat beside me, not looking directly at me.
"This must not get out," she said. "Do you understand?"
I nodded quickly. "Yes. I swear. I won't say anything to anyone."
She glanced at me then, as if trying to gauge whether she could trust me. Whatever she saw must've been enough, because she gave a curt nod and looked away.
Before I could ask how he was doing, the automatic doors whooshed open behind us.
A woman stormed into the clinic, heels clacking across the tile, her designer bag swinging behind her. Darius's driver followed close behind, looking as rattled as I felt.
"Where is he?" the woman demanded.
Alina stood instantly, smoothing her clothe. "Mrs. Vale."
I blinked. Mrs. Vale?
As in—his mother?
"He's stable, ma'am. The doctors are with him now. This way, please." Alina said
I watched as the woman swept past, tall and elegant even in her panic. Alina led her down the corridor without another glance in my direction.
I stayed glued to the chair.
-----
Now all I had to do was sit here.
My phone vibrated in my hand, and I glanced down at the screen. Luke had texted again.
I've been trying to call you. It's late. Why aren't you back home?
A fresh wave of exhaustion rolled over me. I rubbed my eyes and typed back a quick reply, I'll tell you everything when I get back. Just don't worry — I'm okay.
The moment I hit send, I sensed movement nearby. I looked up to see Alina striding toward me, her expression unreadable, but the tension in her shoulders had softened just slightly.
She stopped in front of me. "It's late," she said, glancing at her watch. "You should go home."
I checked my phone again.
2:03 a.m.
My body suddenly remembered how tired it was.
"I'll tell Karen you won't be in tomorrow," she added, as if it were already decided. "You need the day."
"I—thank you," I said quietly.
"I'll have a car take you home," Alina replied, already reaching for her phone.
"I can just get a cab," I offered.
Alina gave me a look. "You're not riding with a stranger at this hour. The company car will be here in ten."
Fifteen minutes later, I slid into the backseat of a black town car. The leather was cold against the backs of my legs, and the city outside the window blurred into soft ribbons of light and shadow. My head rested against the glass, eyes tracing the glittering skyline.
Everything felt distant — like I was watching someone else's life through a pane of glass.
The car pulled up in front of our building, headlights cutting across the familiar stoop. The driver got out to open the door for me, and I whispered a tired "thanks" before stepping onto the sidewalk.
Inside, our apartment was dim, except for the warm spill of light from the living room.
Luke was curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, hair sticking up slightly on one side like he'd run his hands through it too many times. He shot up the moment I walked in, eyes wide.
"Ella?" He rushed toward me, blanket falling off his shoulders. "It's almost three. Where have you been?"
His gaze swept over me, taking in the wrinkled coat, the way my blouse didn't quite match what I'd left in.
"Why are you in a different dress ? This isn't what you wore earlier. Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened?"
I shook my head, lifting a hand. "I'm fine."
"You're sure? Because you look—"
"I'm just tired," I cut in gently. "Really tired."
His mouth opened, but I reached for his arm and gave it a squeeze.
"I'll tell you everything in the morning," I said, voice soft. "All I can say right now is… today was insane."
He studied me for another second, then nodded slowly.
"Okay."
I managed a faint smile and slipped off my shoes, leaving them by the door. The hallway to my bedroom had never looked so long.
"I'm fine," I repeated, mostly to myself this time.
Then I disappeared into the quiet, heavy hush of my room, and let the door click softly shut behind me.