Chapter 83

Chapter 83
Elise's POV

It's been three days since I left the hospital.
Three days, and my body still hasn't quite caught up with me. The sharp pain is gone, but the dull ache lingers, sitting low and constant. The doctors said that was normal. Everything about this is normal, apparently. That word doesn't sit right with me anymore.

My phone vibrates beside me on the bed. There is a message from Jordan. "I'm here."

I stand by the door for a moment before opening it. When I pull the door open, he is exactly where I expected him to be, his shoulders hunched, hands shoved deep into his pockets like he is trying to hold himself together by force.

His eyes lift when he sees me. For a second, neither of us speaks. Looking at him, I feel it all over again-- how unfair this is. He should be with Kaelen right now. Not here. Not outside a hotel room, waiting like this. But Kaelen's father has made sure that he is completely isolated.

No visitors, no exceptions. Not even me, unless I'm being watched. I have tried finding ways around it, but one phone call is as far as I have been able to get them.

"Hey, Jordan," I say softly.

"Hey, Elise," he replies, his voice just as quiet. I step aside to let him in, but he shakes his head almost immediately. "I don't want to stay long," he says. "I just needed to see you?"

I nod, understanding what he is not saying. I am the closest he can get to feeling him.
"Give me a second," I tell him, reaching for my purse. "Let's go out for a bit."

He frowns slightly. "Out? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I think I have rested enough. This place is beginning to suffocate me."

That part is true. It was my choice to stay at one of the hotels my parents partner with Kaelen's father instead of going home. It's closer to school, closer to Kaelen and Jordan. My mom however has been hovering too much and I need to get out for a moment.

The elevator ride down is quiet at first. I can feel him beside me, restless without moving. It's in the way he is standing and breathing. I lean back lightly against the wall, conserving energy without making it obvious.

"How is he today?" he asks after a moment.

"Better," I say. "But he won't talk to his parents and they still don't want to change their minds."

Jordan nods slowly. His jaw tightens, and he looks away.

"He really wants to see you, you know?" I add quietly. "But his dad..." I sigh because it's the same thing over and over. So instead, I squeeze his hand and he looks at me again. "We will find a way, Jordan."

He nods but he doesn't look entirely convinced. The doors slide open, and we step out into the lobby. As we walk toward the exit, he asks, "And you? How are you doing?"

I hesitate just long enough for it to matter, then shrug lightly. "I'm getting better every day."

He looks at me like he is trying to look for the lie but he doesn't push. "Did you tell him?" he asks instead.

My steps falter for half a second before I recover. "No, not yet," I say. "It doesn't really feel like the right time."

"I get it. I mean... not "get it" get it because--"

"Jordan," I stop him and smile. "It's really okay."

We are almost at the doors when a voice cuts in behind me. "Elise Thompson?"

I turn, startled and freeze. "Lucas?"

The disbelief spills out as I stare at him. Lucas Ashford. It's like looking at a person you believed to be dead but they suddenly come back, looking more alive than ever.

He grins instantly, stepping toward me. "Look at you! How have you grown so big, tiny Lise?"

I laugh despite everything, the sound coming easily as he pulls me into a hug. It's warm and familiar, like no time has passed at all.

"Oh my God, where did you come from?" I pull back to look at him properly. "You just disappeared!"

"You know I had to," he says lightly. "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye though."

I shake my head, still smiling, then remember. "Oh, this is Jordan. My best friend."

The words come out naturally, without hesitation.
Jordan looks slightly surprised, but I don't think about it. We have gone through too much together to not be best friends.

"And Jordan, this is Lucas. Kaelen's older brother."

"It's nice to meet you," Jordan says politely.

Lucas glances between us, curiosity flickering in his expression before he looks back at me.

"You look..."

"Great?" He laughs. "That's because I don't stress myself out with rich people problems."

"But you are still as annoying as ever," I add.

"I missed you too, Tiny Lise," he grins. "Where are you guys headed? I was hoping to get intel on how tight my little bro's security is at the hospital?"

"How did you know? No one knew how to contact you."

"Let's just say... someone found a way," he says.

I don't believe it's as easy as he is trying to make it sound. "We were just going to get something for him from the gift shop. You can come with us. Unless you are planning to disappear again?"

"Not before I see Kaelen and that depends on how difficult Mr William Ashford makes it."

We walk slowly, not really in a rush to get anywhere specific. There is a small shopping strip just down the road, a few stores still open. For a moment, it almost feels normal, which is strange, considering everything.

Lucas walks beside me like no time has passed, hands in his pockets, glancing around, taking the city in. Suddenly, I'm pulled back in time.

The Ashford estate, during the many business trips my parents went to overseas. I practically grew up with the Ashford brothers. I remember running around behind the two of them, always trying to keep up. Lucas loud and reckless, Kaelen quieter but never left out. And her-- the housekeeper’s daughter, Marielle.

We were inseparable. It felt like something that would last forever, until the truth came out. Lucas was in love with the housekeeper's daughter. His father lost it, but Lucas never gave him a chance to control anything like he is doing with Kaelen.

"Hey," I nudge him lightly. "Is Mari still around?"

He doesn't even have to say anything. I know that smile that curls up his lips. It was there four years ago before he disappeared with her.

"How is she?" I add before he can answer.

"She is good. Really good." He huffs a laugh. "She is heavily pregnant with our firstborns."

I blink. "Firstborns?"

"Twins," he says proudly.

For a second, everything inside me goes still. My breath catches just slightly, barely noticeable. My hand curls faintly at my side before I force it to relax. I feel Jordan glance at me but I don't look at him.

Instead, I smile. "Of course you couldn't just do things normally," I tease. "You disappear for years and come back with twins?"

Lucas laughs, "I had to make an entrance."

"Unbelievable."

I keep talking, keeping it light like his news didn't just remind me of what could have been. We step into a small gift shop, just a short distance from the hospital.

"Okay," I say, scanning the shelves. "What do we get someone who has been shot and is currently being held hostage by his father?"

"A stress ball?"Jordan says immediately.

"He might throw it at someone," I point out.

"If we are lucky, it might be his Dad," Jordan says, a little annoyed. Then he seems to think about it immediately and turns to Lucas. "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean--"

"I like you," Lucas grins. "But let's go hard if we really want that man taken out."

I shake my head, but I'm smiling and Jordan eases up. Lucas glances between us again and this time, he doesn't look away.

"So," he says casually, watching both of us. "Is Kae still pretending to like girls?"

My jaw drops instantly. "You knew?"

He snorts, "Please. I knew him better than he knew himself." Then his expression shifts because we are not laughing with him. "What?" he asks more seriously. "What's going on?" A beat passes before either of us answers. "Don't
tell me his accident had something to do with that."

I exhale quietly. "I think you should let him tell you himself when you see him."