Ellie POV


    It waste afternoon as I walked down the sidewalk toward the Royal Hospital to start my evening shift. I''d be in time to serve dinner, give evening medication to my patients, and then help them settle in for the night.


    It always surprised me how many elderly people were night owls. I guess it was just a stereotype that old people went to bed early. (1


    So I was expecting to be up prettyte ying card games and chatting. I held my cell phone to my ear as I walked, feeling a bittersweet sensation when I heard Rae''s voice on the line.


    "You need to send me more pictures," she said with a slight whine in her tone. "They''re so cute. It''s not fair that I haven''t gotten to hold them yet."


    "I know. But you will soon. We''ll find a way for you toe visit without raising any more suspicion from Nn."


    “Honestly, it''ll probably be okay for me toe soon. Not that Nn has stopped searching for you, but he''s a bit distractedtely," Rae said thoughtfully.


    "What do you mean, distracted? Is something going on at the packhouse?" I asked with concern.


    "Sort of," she responded. "It''s Felicity, ying h public image and deal with her." usual games. Nn''s beside himself, trying to maintain the


    "And what is she doing now?" I asked automatically, irritation rising just at the mention of Felicity.


    “She''s been doing those silly interviews for the lifestyle magazines again—unting her expensive clothes and fancy jewelry. It''s started the rumors up all over again, people talking about Nn doting on her, if they''re going to get married, all of that," Rae exined.


    "I don''t see how that''s a big deal," I replied. "Those rumors were going around well before I left. Why would Nn be upset about it now?"


    "Well, that''s exactly why-because you''re gone. You have to remember, Ellie, everyone here in Silver Fang thinks you were kidnapped or something. It''s not like you just moved away. So the fact that Nn''s mistress is unting her expensive jewelry and acting like they''re engaged-it''s rubbing people the wrong way," Rae exined gently. 1


    I frowned deeply as I considered her words. "I hadn''t thought about that," I confessed.


    "That''s just one more reason it''s been so difficult without you here," Rae sighed dramatically. "I can''t talk to anyone about how much I miss you, because then they start acting like I''m grieving and it gets all awkward and ufortable. I mean, it''s nice knowing that people care that you''re gone. Some people at least seem to feel bad about the way they treated you while you were here."


    "You know, that doesn''t really make me feel better,” I replied.


    "Nn certainly feels bad," Rae added. "Even after so many months, he''s still a wreck."


    "Lance told me the same thing, and I just can''t picture it. I mean, he didn''t like me-let alone love me. And it''s been what, eight months since I left? Why would he still be upset? He was nning to leave me anyway.''


    “Because he thinks you''re dead, Ellie,” Rae said matter-of-factly. "He thinks someone murdered you, probably to get to him. He feels guilty, I''m sure."


    "I just can''t picture him like that," I repeated. "Not that he didn''t have his moments- especially toward the end


    +25 Bonus


    there, when Felicity was gone-but Nn was so cold and in control all the time. I can''t picture him walking around the packhouse pouting."


    "I don''t know if pouting is the right word," Raeughed. “But you''re going to have to


    take my word for it. He hasn''t been the same since you left, and everyone can tell." 日