Our Accidental Forever
Chapter 77: Ella Got it Covered

Chapter 77: Ella Got it Covered

Ella’s POV:

When I finally stepped out of the penthouse and into the elevator, my mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, feelings, and guilt. As the floors descended, I wondered how this hospital visit would go. Would it be tense? Awkward? Would Kate and Joanne find some way to get along for my sake, or would they end up making this whole day even harder?

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped into the lobby, spotting Joanne waiting by the reception desk. She was dressed to perfection, as usual, looking completely at ease as she scrolled through her phone. When she saw me, her face lit up, her smile genuine and bright.

"Ella!" she exclaimed, pocketing her phone. "There you are. I was starting to think they’d locked me out for good."

"Sorry about that," I said, forcing a smile. "They’re pretty strict about who they let up to the penthouse."

"Oh, it’s fine," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "Shall we?"

As we walked out of the building, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Joanne’s enthusiasm was almost too much, too eager. I glanced at her, trying to gauge her intentions, but her expression was open and friendly. Maybe I was overthinking things. Maybe she really did just want to help.

We hailed a cab, and as soon as we climbed in, Joanne filled the silence with small talk, her voice a cheerful, steady stream.

She chatted about her latest projects, plans, and ambitions, detailing her schedule with a liveliness that bordered on performance.

I nodded along, but my mind kept drifting back to Kate. How would she feel seeing Joanne with me? A silent hope lodged itself in my chest that they’d somehow find a way to get along, at least for today.

When we arrived at the hospital, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. Joanne followed me inside, her steps light and confident as if she were visiting a friend’s new apartment rather than a hospital room. As we reached Kate’s door, I hesitated, knocking softly before pushing it open.

Kate looked up from her bed, and I saw her eyes widen just a bit as she caught sight of Joanne behind me. Her expression shifted, her gaze flicking between us in a way that made my heart tighten with nerves.

"Hey, Kate," I said, trying to sound upbeat, casual. "Joanne wanted to come along... to help with the discharge." I tried to convey a silent plea in my eyes, hoping Kate would bear with it for today.

Kate’s gaze was unreadable, but I could sense a flicker of something guarded in her expression. "Hi, Joanne," she said at last, her voice cool and polite.

"Hi, Kate! How are you feeling?" Joanne asked, her smile unwavering.

"Better, thanks," Kate replied, her tone still detached, her eyes betraying nothing but the faintest hint of guardedness.

Joanne, undeterred, leaned in a bit, clasping her hands together in a gesture that was probably meant to look warm. "I just thought it’d be nice to lend a hand, you know? For getting you settled in back at home, carrying things, whatever you need."

Kate’s face remained impassive, and her silence filled the room, a palpable quiet that grew heavier with each second. Kate’s silence was very uncomfortable.

The Kate I knew always had something to say, even if it was sharp or blunt. But this silence... it was almost scarier than words. My stomach twisted as I realized just how hurt she might actually be.

"It’s alright," she said finally, her tone clipped. "Ella’s got it covered."

There was a stiffness in her voice that stung, making me feel guilty. Joanne, apparently oblivious to the tension, gave a small, slightly strained laugh, smoothing down her skirt. "Oh, of course, of course. But, you know, an extra set of hands never hurts. And besides..." She shot me a pointed look, her voice dipping into something almost chiding. "Ella’s pregnant. She shouldn’t be lifting things."

Kate’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and her lips pressed together. "I said," she repeated, her voice sharper this time, "Ella’s got it covered." She pulled her jacket closer, giving Joanne a look that could cut through steel. It was as if she saw Joanne as nothing more than an unwelcome nuisance, a buzzing insect she was tired of swatting away.

A pang of guilt shot through me. I hadn’t wanted to make Kate uncomfortable or stir up any bad feelings, especially not after everything she’d gone through. But here we were, and the awkwardness hung thick in the air, each of Joanne’s attempts at friendliness only seeming to drive Kate further into her shell.

The discharge process itself was thankfully brief, but the atmosphere remained tense. Joanne attempted small talk, tossing out light comments about the hospital décor, or remarking on how efficient the staff was, but Kate barely responded, her face a mask of polite disinterest. I could see her growing colder with each passing moment, her discomfort morphing into something closer to anger, her eyes darkening every time Joanne spoke.

When Joanne reached for Kate’s things to carry them, Kate quickly intercepted her, gripping the bag firmly. "Thanks, but I’ve got it," she said, her voice like ice. She turned to me, softening only slightly. "Ella, let’s get going."

As we neared the exit, Kate turned to me. "Did you bring your car?" she asked.

I was about to answer when Joanne beat me to it, her voice bright and cheerful. "We took a cab together!"

Kate’s gaze shifted to her, her eyes sharp as knives. "I wasn’t asking you."

Joanne blinked, visibly taken aback, her expression faltering for a moment. "Oh, I... I’m sorry," she murmured, her voice dropping as she smoothed down her skirt, her fingers fidgeting at the hem. The small apology seemed only to irritate Kate further, her expression tightening.

Kate took a deep breath, clearly holding back what she actually wanted to say. She looked directly at Joanne, her tone calm but unmistakably firm. "Ella and I are heading to my place. I hope you don’t mind riding back on your own."

For a moment, Joanne looked like she didn’t quite understand, her brows pulling together in a look of quiet confusion. "Oh," she said, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice. "I wouldn’t mind coming along with you two. I mean, if it’s okay?"

Kate threw me a glance that was nothing short of exasperated, as though she couldn’t believe the audacity. "Ella," she said, her tone smooth, but her expression anything but, "do you mind? I’d rather keep things simple today."

Her words were polite, but the look she gave Joanne was pointed and cutting. It left no room for interpretation, but Joanne either didn’t see it or chose to ignore it.

Joanne faltered visibly, her cheerful expression cracking just slightly as she processed Kate’s words.

Her shoulders slumped, and she gave me a quick, tight hug, her fingers lingering on my arms for a beat too long. "I just want you to know I’m here to help, whenever. Really," she murmured, her tone dipping into something almost pleading.

I gave her a small, half-hearted smile, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. "Thanks, Joanne. I... I appreciate it."

She lingered for a moment longer, as though hoping Kate might change her mind, but when it became clear she wouldn’t, she finally turned to go, her steps hesitant as she walked toward the exit.

Kate’s eyes followed her out, her gaze intense and unyielding, the silence between us settling like a heavy weight.