Chapter 18: The hug
The next morning, Ella stirred awake to the muted light seeping through the heavy curtains. Her body still ached, but the pounding in her head had dulled, and she no longer felt feverish. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she slowly sat up, surprised to find herself alone. The room was still and quiet, save for the faint sounds of birds chirping outside the window.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, testing her balance. A little shaky, but manageable.
The door creaked open, and Nicholas stepped inside, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and a glass of water.
"You’re awake," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"I feel better," Ella said quickly, eager to assert herself before he could fuss over her again. "Thank you for everything, but... I need to go home."
Nicholas’s smile faded, replaced by a frown. "No. You’re not ready."
"I am," she insisted, standing on unsteady feet. "I can’t stay here forever. Ryan will notice I’m gone."
Nicholas set the tray down and crossed his arms, studying her. "You’re still pale."
"I’ll survive," she said stubbornly, grabbing the back of a chair to steady herself.