Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 67: Angel of Death-Cake

Chapter 67: Angel of Death-Cake

Ella’s POV:

The antiseptic smell of the hospital lingered in the air, and I wrinkled my nose as I walked through the familiar halls. Hospitals always made me feel uneasy, but seeing Kate awake and smiling was a balm against the anxiety I carried. I clutched the small bouquet of white lilies I’d picked up, their soft petals brushing against my fingers as I turned the corner to her room.

It had been over a week since the fire incident, and the fear that had choked me every night in Arec’s penthouse was starting to fade, if only slightly. Arec hadn’t let me out since that night, insisting that I stay safe inside his private sanctuary. I had protested at first, wanting to go back to my normal life, but after everything that had happened, I knew he was right. Besides, my mother had nearly flown in herself until Arec stepped in, speaking to her in that calm, reassuring way that seemed to convince everyone that things were under control. It had taken all of his charm to persuade her to stay put.

Now, as I entered Kate’s room, the sight of her upright in bed, her eyes bright with mischief, was like a ray of sunlight piercing through the gloom of the past week. She looked surprisingly well, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, wearing a soft pink hospital gown that made her look almost serene. But that serenity was quickly shattered as she caught sight of me.

"Well, if it isn’t my attempted assassin!" Kate declared, her voice full of exaggerated accusation.

I rolled my eyes, unable to keep a smile from tugging at my lips. "Come on, Kate. I didn’t mean to nearly poison you," I said, moving to sit in the chair beside her bed. "I must’ve apologized a hundred times by now."

She just smirked, reaching out to take the bouquet from my hands. "Apologies won’t bring me back to life, Ella. But maybe you can make it up to me by naming your child after me. Kate, the Angel of Death-Cake."

"Oh, stop it!" I laughed, swatting her hand away. "I’ll call her Angel of Death-Cake, but only as a middle name. And only if she grows up with your ridiculous sense of humor."

Kate’s laughter was infectious, filling the small, sterile room with warmth. "Well, nothing is going to stop me from being your chief bridesmaid and that ’angel aunt,’" she said, her eyes twinkling as she glanced down at my stomach.

I placed a hand protectively over the slight bump under my soft green sweater, feeling a strange mix of warmth and vulnerability. My stomach wasn’t that big yet, but it was enough to make everything feel so real. This tiny life was growing inside me, despite everything I’d gone through, and it terrified and excited me all at once.

"Seriously, Ella, this kid’s going to need my guidance to survive you as a mother," Kate said with a grin, resting back against her pillows. "I mean, it’s only fair. Look how you tried to kill your best friend."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’re impossible, Kate. I’m just happy you’re feeling better." I leaned forward, taking her hand. "But really... I am so sorry. I can’t shake the thought that if I hadn’t..."

"Enough," she interrupted, giving my hand a squeeze. "You’re here now, and that’s what matters. Besides, maybe next time, get some poison-free treats, hmm?"

Before I could retort, a soft knock came from the door, and we both turned our heads in unison. Standing there, framed by the doorway, was Joanne, a bouquet of roses in her hand, her smile almost too perfect. Her hair was neatly curled, cascading over her shoulder, and her fitted navy dress looked almost too formal for a hospital visit. The sight of her standing there, poised and polished, made my stomach twist with unease.

"Ella," she greeted, flashing a bright, all-too-friendly smile, her gaze darting to Kate. "Arec told me what happened to your friend." She stepped inside, placing the bouquet of roses on Kate’s bedside table, her heels clicking on the floor with a practiced elegance that felt out of place.

I exchanged a quick look with Kate, and I knew she was as taken aback as I was. Joanne had never shown any interest in my friends before. The last time we’d interacted, she had made it clear she wasn’t exactly thrilled about me being in Arec’s life. And now, here she was, bringing flowers, smiling like she hadn’t spent months subtly undermining me.

"Joanne," I replied, forcing a polite smile. "I didn’t know you’d be stopping by."

"Well, when I heard what happened, I just had to come by," she said, her eyes flicking between Kate and me. "I can’t imagine what you went through, Kate."

Kate, who had no patience for social games, raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and mild amusement. "Oh, you know, just the usual brush with death. Keeps life interesting," she quipped, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Joanne laughed, though it sounded slightly forced. "Yes, well, I’m just glad you’re okay." She turned her attention back to me, and something in her gaze sent a chill down my spine. "Arec was so concerned. He was telling me all about it over dinner the other night."

I froze, my mind racing. Dinner? Arec hadn’t mentioned anything about seeing Joanne recently, and he was usually so transparent with me. I kept my face neutral, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattle, but inside, a pang of unease settled like a stone in my chest.

"Oh?" I managed, keeping my tone light. "I didn’t know you two had caught up."

Joanne smiled, her lips stretching into something a little too sharp, a little too knowing. "Well, we go way back, you know. He was just telling me about how worried he’s been for you. Said he hasn’t let you out of his sight since the fire."

There was an edge to her voice that set my nerves on end, as though she were measuring my reaction. I forced myself to meet her gaze, unflinching. "Yes, he’s been protective. But it’s nice to know he has good friends to confide in."

Kate cleared her throat, her eyes flicking between Joanne and me with a smirk that said she wasn’t missing a thing. "So, Joanne," she said, her tone casual but pointed. "How long have you been friends with Arec?"

"Oh, since childhood," Joanne replied, her smile widening as she glanced at me. "I know him better than anyone, really."

I bit back the retort bubbling in my throat, unwilling to let her bait me. This wasn’t the time or place to get into whatever twisted competition she thought she was in. But Kate, bless her, wasn’t one to hold back.

"Well, that’s lovely," Kate said, her tone dripping with false cheerfulness. "It’s always great when people can stay close even when they...should be moving on." She looked pointedly at Joanne, then back at me, and I could practically feel the smirk she was holding back.

Joanne’s smile faltered for the briefest second, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. "Yes, well," she said, her voice a little tighter, "it’s always good to support each other. That’s what friends are for."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the tension radiate from Joanne even as she tried to mask it with that polished, too-bright smile. She didn’t fool me. Not anymore. Every word, every gesture was calculated. She wasn’t here to support anyone; she was here to remind me of her place in Arec’s life, to stake her claim in a space she felt entitled to.

"Well," I said, forcing a polite smile, "thank you for stopping by. I’m sure Kate appreciates the flowers."

Joanne glanced at me, her smile sharpening. "Of course. Anything for Arec’s... close ones."

The emphasis didn’t go unnoticed, and I held her gaze, refusing to back down. After a long moment, she finally looked away, smoothing a hand over her dress.

"Well," she said, her tone sickly sweet, "I should get going. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright." She gave Kate a polite nod and me a tight smile before turning and walking toward the door.

As she left, I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Kate raised an eyebrow, a knowing grin spreading across her face.

"Now that was entertaining," she said, leaning back against her pillows with a satisfied look. "She’s as subtle as a brick, isn’t she?"

I rolled my eyes, finally letting the tension melt away. "You have no idea."