Awhile later she heard footsteps.
Nico’s voice, shouting at someone.
And finally, she heard footsteps outside the door.
Ella knelt bowed her head, arms locked behind her back, every muscle stretched to its limit.
She wasn’t strong, but she thought of her daughters.
Of Madison getting on a plane on a whim to follow her dream and how Annie got past her fears of performing in public the way her mom never could and chased her dream, both of them like their father.
She wasn’t as strong as them and had long been okay with it, but she channeled their strength, the edge of the rock cutting into her hand.The door creaked open.
She lunged herself across at Nico, the tip of the rock pointed out and she stabbed him, dragged it across his face and kept going.
He tried to push her away, but her first strike landed on his cheek, blood pouring from the cut, making him scream and stumble
Ella unleashed all her pent up angst and fury and past hurts and anger at him and didn’t stop until she heard the commotion outside.
Nico must have heard it because he charged past her but she stood there shouting.
Until she was in Zee’s arms, safe.
“Ella, don’t blame yourself.Ever.Do you hear me?”The command in his tone snapped her back to the present moment.
“Yes, Sir.”
She squeezed his hand and bit her lip, her gaze locking with the hollow look in Zee’s eyes
He blamed himself, she knew that and the weight of that twisted in her gut.
The door opened and the doctor rushed in, scanning the chart.
“Good morning, Ella, how are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been thrown around and shaken up.But I’m okay, I want to get out of here.”
“Your vitals look—“
“She should stay another night for observation,” Zee said.
The doctor raised an eyebrow over the rims of her glasses.
“Mr.Ridell, I was speaking to your wife.”
“Sorry doctor.”Zee rubbed a hand over his face.
“As I was saying, your vitals are stable and your labs are clean.There’s no sign of lingering toxicity.
Your liver and kidney function are all normal.Physically, you need plenty of fluids and rest.I’d like you to follow up with your physician in a week so we can review the final toxicology report once the full results come in.I strongly recommend making sure you have emotional support in place, whether that’s family, friends, or even a counselor.”
“She has all the support she needs,” Zee snapped out the words.
“I do have lots of support,” Ella agreed.“So, I can leave?”
“Yes, you are free to go.”
“I want her to stay.She was thrown in a van,” Zee said stonily.
