Chapter 54
A brEAKDOWN
DUNCAN
Eloise’s words wounded me. I didn’t understand her cruelty. She’d gone from my greatest supporter to downright awful. I probably deserved some of her ire, but couldn’t comprehend why I deserved so much hate.
I tried so hard to make matters worth it for her. What had I done to make it go south so fast?
As I scrolled through the last few messages on my phone, I saw why I elicited this reaction.
Nessa’s texts were damning. I needed to explain but lacked time to give context.
Fuck!
She said nothing more, holding it together by a fucking thread. I didn’t understand how she did it. Eloise could give the best poker face even when her world melted down. Given her recent confession, it pained me to know I gave her another reason to just fake it.
I took the podium and looked for Eloise. Somehow, I hoped to telegraph my feelings to her in my expression alone. Unfortunately, that seemed a stretch. She refused to look at me.
“It’s an honor to join you here today,” I managed to begin. “Talking to doctors, patients, and nurses, I can tell that this new ward means so much to so many. The healing arts are truly just that—an art. It’s about healing the whole person—”
Without warning, a shudder rang. The crowd gasped. For a moment, I feared a security threat. Then, I looked to see John holding Eloise in his arms. She looked like a ragdoll—gone.
Without a second thought, I hopped off the small podium alongside the cafeteria.
“Ella! Ella!” I shouted, heart racing.