Chapter 28: Get used to it
The black SUV rolled quietly through the winding private driveway. High trees flanked both sides, the rustling of leaves barely audible behind the soft hum of the engine. Ella stared out the window, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. Nicholas hadn’t said much since they left the cabin—he was giving her space. But his silence wasn’t distant. It was calming. Steady.
She glanced at him briefly. His hand was on the steering wheel, his other resting casually on the armrest, a picture of composure. But his eyes... she could see the glances he kept stealing toward her. Protective. Watchful.
The facility came into view slowly—modern architecture set against a backdrop of landscaped gardens, fountains, and walking paths. It didn’t look like a hospital. It looked like a retreat.
Ella’s breath caught in her throat.
"This is it?" she asked softly.
Nicholas gave a single nod. "Yes. Your mom was transferred last night. I had them set up a private suite for her, with 24-hour care and constant monitoring. The staff here—only the best."
Ella couldn’t speak. She could only stare.
A security guard opened the gate as soon as they approached, waving Nicholas through with practiced ease. The car stopped beneath a covered entrance, and before Ella could even unbuckle her seatbelt, Nicholas was already stepping out and opening the door for her.
He offered her his hand.
She took it.
Her knees felt a little weak as she stepped out and took in the full grandeur of the place. It wasn’t cold or sterile like the city hospitals. It was warm. Peaceful. As if healing wasn’t just for the body here—but for the soul.