Chapter 96 Unexpected Encounters
CHAPTER NINTEY SIX
Valenticia’s POV~
The day I picked up Nana from Willow Creek Elderly Home started with a buzz of excitement. I woke early, made coffee, and packed a bag with her favorite things—chamomile tea, a soft sweater, and a photo album of us with Mom. Knowing she’d finally live with me felt like a weight lifted. Her pneumonia had scared me, and having her close meant I could keep her safe. I drove to the home with my mind full of plans. Her room was ready, with a cozy bed and a small table for her tea. At the office, I’d cleared my afternoon to focus on her move, balancing work and family as best I could.
I arrived at Willow Creek by ten, the building quiet with soft sunlight streaming through the windows. Nurse Clara met me at the front desk, her clipboard in hand. “Rosanna’s ready,” she said, smiling. “She’s excited to go home with you.”
“Thanks for everything,” I said, signing the discharge papers. “Any last tips for her care?”
“Keep her warm, make sure she takes her meds,” Clara said. “We’ve packed her antibiotics and a schedule. Call if you need us.”
I nodded, grateful for their help. “Will do.” She led me to Nana’s room, where she sat in her armchair, dressed in a blue cardigan, her small suitcase packed. Her face lit up when she saw me.
“Val, you’re here,” she said, her voice still weak but happy. “Ready to get me out of this place?”
“More than ready,” I said, hugging her gently. “Your room’s all set. Even got your tea waiting.”
She chuckled, then coughed, making me wince. “You’re fussing too much,” she said. “I’m tougher than I look.”
I grabbed her suitcase and helped her stand, keeping my arm around her as we walked to the hallway. “We’ll take it slow,” I said. “No rush.”
We moved toward the lobby, chatting about small things like her favorite shows, the garden she’d miss. I felt lighter with every step, knowing she’d be with me now. But as we reached the lobby, I stopped short. Dimitri stood there, my ex-husband, holding a suitcase and talking to a nurse. He wore a gray jacket, his dark hair a bit longer than I remembered. My stomach dropped. I hadn’t seen him in years, not since our marriage ended after the Galden chaos.
He turned and saw me, his eyes widening. “Val? Didn’t expect you here,” he said, stepping closer. “Dad’s moving in today.”
I froze, gripping Nana’s arm a little tighter. “Nana’s coming home with me,” I said, my voice stiffer than I meant. The air felt thick, like the past had walked right back in. Our marriage had been short, tied to survival during Gregor’s schemes, but it fell apart when trust broke. Seeing him now stirred old memories.
“That’s great,” Dimitri said, nodding at Nana. “Good to see you, Rosanna. You look well.”
Nana smiled politely. “Thank you, Dimitri. You’re here for your father?”
“Yeah,” he said, glancing at the suitcase. “He needs more care now. This place is good, from what I hear.”
“It is,” I said, keeping it short. “Nana’s been here a while, but she’s ready for home.”
He nodded, shifting his weight. “How’s life? Still running Clawford?”
“Yep,” I said, not wanting to dive in. “Busy as ever. You?”
“New job,” he said. “Logistics firm downtown. Keeps me on my toes.” He paused, like he wanted to say more, but the silence grew heavy. Nana coughed softly, and I used it as an excuse.
“We should get going,” I said. “Good luck with your dad.”
“Thanks,” he said, his eyes lingering. “Take care, Val. Rosanna.”
“You too,” I said, guiding Nana toward the exit. My heart raced as we stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face. That moment with Dimitri felt awkward, like stepping on a crack you didn’t see. I remembered our old fights, how we tried to make it work but couldn’t. It left a bitter taste, but I pushed it away, focusing on Nana as we reached the car.
“Old flames, huh?” Nana said, settling into the passenger seat with a small grin.
I laughed, buckling her in. “Old news, Nana. Let’s get you home.”
The drive was quiet, and I helped Nana into my apartment, carrying her suitcase to the spare room. It had a soft bed, a lamp, and a shelf with her books. “This is yours,” I said, setting her tea tin on the table. “Comfy?”
“Perfect,” she said, sitting on the bed. “You’re good to me, Val.”
I smiled, helping her unpack. “You’re family. It’s what we do.” We spent the afternoon settling in—hanging her sweater, setting up her meds. She rested while I cooked dinner, a simple soup and bread. Over the meal, we talked about her first night home.
“Feels good to be here,” she said, sipping soup. “Missed your cooking.”
“Missed having you around,” I said. “No more hospital beds.”
She laughed, then coughed, and I handed her water. “I’m okay,” she said. “Just need time.”
I nodded, but worry stayed in my chest. Her health was fragile, and I’d watch her closely. After dinner, I handled work calls from the living room, keeping my voice low so she could rest. Lena checked in over the phone. “Nana settled?” she asked.
“Yeah, she’s good,” I said. “Room’s all set. Thanks for covering my meetings today.”
“No problem,” she said. “You need anything, just call.”
Her kindness grounded me, and I hung up feeling grateful. My routine was steady now, with mornings at Clawford, afternoons with emails or meetings, evenings with Nana. Work kept me busy, with the new sensor deal rolling out and reports piling up. But having Nana home made it all feel worth it. She was my anchor, the family I’d fight for.
That night, I sat with her in the living room, watching a game show she liked. She dozed off halfway through, her blanket tucked around her. I thought about Dimitri again, his face in the lobby, the awkwardness of seeing him after so long. Our marriage had been a mistake, born from necessity, and not from love.
It ended clean, but running into him brought back the sting of failure. I wondered how he was doing, if he was happy. Then I looked at Nana, sleeping peacefully, and let it go. She was here, and that’s what mattered.
My phone buzzed with a work email, pulling me back to Clawford. The sensor deal with Helix was moving fast, and I’d see Stefan tomorrow at a follow-up meeting. The thought of him and Natasha, now engaged, twisted in my gut. I pushed it down, focusing on the TV.