<b>Chapter </b>23


    Elissa headed toward the gate and immediately spotted Cliff.


    Dressed casually yet sharp, Cliff stood tall and striking, effortlessly handsome.


    He seemed to be searching for her as well–their eyes met across the crowd.


    Even after all these years, Cliff still looked genuinely taken aback by Elissa’s bare–faced beauty. He crossed the distance between them in a few quick strides and took her backpack from her shoulder.


    He nced over her delicate face, and his professional instincts kicked in. “You haven’t been sleeping well at the hospital these past couple days, have you?”


    “A little,” she admitted.


    Just two nights ago, a new patient had arrived on her ward–a lovely older woman with an impressively loud snore.


    When Elissa boarded the ne, she was surprised to find her seat had been upgraded to


    first ss.


    Cliff caught the confusion in her eyes and arched a brow. “It’s so you can actually get some rest. This trip’s on your own time, after all. The least I can do is make sure you’refortable.”


    He handed her a small sachet filled withvender and chamomile–something to help her


    rx<i>. </i>


    ???? ?


    Elissa epted it with a smile. “Is your expense ount going to cover all this, Professor?”


    “Don’t worry, I can afford a little luxury.”


    “Well then… Thanks, Cliff.”


    Elissa didn’t bother with false modesty. The truth was, Cliff’s family owned one of the most prominent pharmaceuticalpanies in the country. Running his own holistic medicine center was more of a passion project than a business.


    Neither of them had expected that the herbal remedy they’d developed together would put the clinic on the map. Ever since, patients had been lining up out the door.


    There was a six–hour time difference between Vistapeak City and Germany.


    When theynded, the sun was shining in Berlin, the weather warm and bright.


    The research institute had sent a driver to pick them up and take them to the hotel.


    13:32


    Cliff walked Elissa to her room and, as she fished for her key, he noticed her bare left hand. “You usually never take off your wedding ring. Where is it?”


    “Lost it,” Elissa said with a shrug. “Cliff, I’m getting a divorce.”


    Cliff blinked, then a slow, delighted smile spread across his face. “<i>So </i>the old man was right–Frank never deserved you.”


    Elissa caught the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Should I take that as you gloating?”


    “You wound me. I’m genuinely happy for you.”


    He grinned, carrying her luggage inside. “Get some rest. I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight.”


    “Okay.”


    Once alone, Elissa freshened up and finally dug her phone out of her bag.


    As soon as she turned it on, a stream of notifications poured in.


    Frank’s messages stood out.


    [Elissa, something came upst minute. I can’t pick you up from the hospital and take you home.]


    [Don’t worry, I’ll be home tonight to open presents with you.]


    A faint, mocking smile tugged at Elissa’s lips.


    Was it really him who was busy–or Marcia?


    She didn’t bother replying. Instead, she opened her chat with Tanya Foster to let her know she’d arrived safely.


    With plenty of time to spare and having caught up on sleep during the flight, Elissa decided to go for a walk.


    Tanya was in a meeting when the message came through. Relieved to know Elissa was okay<i>, </i><i>she </i>didn’t respond right away.


    Later, after workingte, Tanya called, getting straight to the point. “Did Frank see the divorce papers? Has he given you an answer?”


    By now, it was the middle of the night back home.


    If Frank hadn’t ked again, he should have found the divorce agreement with the gift by


    now.


    Maybe he’d just gotten used to her quietly waiting for him in that big, empty house–night after night.


    213


    13:32


    Elissa had no interest in specting.


    She was standing inside Berlin Cathedral, gazing up at the sculptures overhead, answering at her own pace. “No idea. Not yet.”


    She kept it brief.


    She wasn’t in a hurry, but Tanya was. “Elissa, aren’t you even a little anxious?”


    “No matter how it ys out, the result won’t change.” Elissa’s tone was light. “<i>So </i>why


    rush?”


    “…Fine,” Tanya sighed. “If every one of my clients and bosses were as zen as you, my life would be a lot easier.”


    “That’s impossible,” Elissa teased. “Half your sry is hazard pay for dealing with people’s


    stress.”


    By the time Elissa left the cathedral, dusk had fallen.


    Seeing it was nearly time, she took a cab back to the hotel and ran into Cliff in the


    elevator.


    They headed to the restaurant reserved by the institute–a wee dinner in their honor.


    Their mentor, after all, was a renowned figure in holistic medicine. Representing him, they


    were treated as VIPs.


    The institute’s local representative greeted them with a warm handshake. “Mr. Riley, Ms. Drummond, thank you foring such a long way. Please, have a seat.”