Chapter 349: Unable to Reach Him
Ella sat in silence for a moment before quietly dialing Amelia’s number to confide in her about what had just happened.
Amelia, with a clearer perspective as an outsider, listened patiently.
"It’s hard to say who’s right or wrong here. Your intentions were good; you just wanted Henry to recover faster and bringing him home would have been convenient, sparing you the back-and-forth travel. But that kind of arrangement can, of course, stir up gossip," Amelia said gently. "You shouldn’t be too insistent, though. If Eric doesn’t agree, forcing Henry into the house might only worsen things between you two. So I’d suggest sticking with the hospital for now. It may mean more trips, but ultimately... who matters more to you, Henry or Eric?"
Ella bit her lip. "Of course, my husband."
"Exactly. You know Eric is the most important, so let’s keep it that way. Your brother-in-law can stay at the hospital, and remember, this kind of recovery takes time. Moving him into your home or spending extra time with him won’t necessarily speed it up."
Amelia’s words had a calming effect on Ella, slowly settling her heart. Amelia’s perspective, detached and rational, was exactly what she needed to hear. She realized she’d been too impulsive, thinking that if Henry recovered, she could finally put the whole situation behind her and avoid further rumors.
"Also, Eric’s a man, and he says you haven’t been attentive to him. Think about it: these past few weeks, you’ve been so focused on Henry’s condition, worried he might stay a vegetable and leave you with a permanent sense of debt. It’s natural to overlook Eric’s feelings under that stress. But from his side, it’s also natural for him to feel unsettled. No man would want the son of an affair living in his own home. Despite Grace’s downfall, she left him with a lasting scar he can’t easily erase."
Amelia’s patient, gentle analysis slowly gave Ella clarity. "Give him a call, apologize sincerely, and let’s avoid letting this argument fester. If you reach out with understanding, I’m sure things will go back to how they were."
Ella nodded. "Thank you, Amelia. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I didn’t expect you to be so insightful about relationships."
Amelia laughed lightly. "Hey, it’s just that I’m an outsider. As a friend on the sidelines, I can see things clearly. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably lose my temper too. People easily say things they don’t mean when they’re angry. So next time you’re upset, or if he is, just stay quiet."
Ella paused, feeling deeply grateful. Amelia had much more relationship experience than her other friends like Chloe, and her maturity was exactly what Ella needed.