Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Ella
The morning mist wrapped around Manhattan as I stood outside the Pearson Test Center, checking the documents in my clear plastic bag—everything I needed for my nursing license exam.
"You got your passport? Your ATT authorization?" Lucas hovered at the entrance like an overanxious parent. "And are you sure you don't want to review those materials one more time? Those med school professors I know predicted a bunch of questions. They're all on your tablet..."
"Lucas." I turned around, amused.
"Ella..." He said my name like a plea.
"Stop fussing." I couldn't help smiling. "Trust me. I've been ready for a long time."
My fingers tightened around the plastic bag as I waited for the proctor's signal.
"This nursing license isn't just a piece of paper.
It's been my dream since I was a kid. I want to help patients with real knowledge and skill when they need me, not just write checks as Mrs. Rockefeller.
Sure, donations matter, but that's not my personal value.
Only by truly understanding the medical system can I make sure our family's money goes where it needs to—helping the people who actually need it. "
Lucas went still. He bent down until his nose almost touched my forehead. Morning light carved out his sharp features, and those eyes that usually ran cold now held enough warmth to drown in.
"You're an angel, Ella," his voice dropped low, that dangerous proximity making my heart skip. "Go on. I'll be right here when you come out."
I rose on my toes and brushed my lips against his cheek, trying to steady the flutter in my chest. If I failed this exam, Lucas scrambling my emotions would definitely be a contributing factor.
I carried the ghost of his warmth into the testing room.
The atmosphere inside was suffocating. Electronic lockers slamming shut, security asking cold questions—every step reminded me how serious this was. I sat at the computer. The NCLEX-RN splash screen appeared.
When the first question loaded, the world went silent. A question about medication priorities for acute MI. All those late nights studying, all those skills I'd learned caring for Maya—now they became weapons at my fingertips.
I gripped the mouse. My hand trembled slightly, but my mind was razor-sharp.
The computerized adaptive test was a torturous beast—the better I did, the harder the questions became.
Complex case studies piled up. Multi-trauma triage.
Psychiatric emergency interventions. My stylus flew across the plastic writing board, calculating IV drip rates. I gave every question everything I had.
Time slipped past with each blinking cursor. Five hours felt both endless and fleeting. I lost count of how many questions I'd answered, only knew I'd fought for every single one.
Then, on a complex postpartum hemorrhage case, the screen flickered and went black. My heart stopped.
No, no, no.
I raised my hand. The proctor came over.
"Screen went out," I said, forcing my voice steady.
She looked at the computer, tapped a few keys. "System glitch. Hold on."
Those five minutes felt like five hours. I sat there, palms soaking, nearly dizzy, every worst-case scenario sawing through my brain on repeat.
What if my answers weren't saved?
What if the system crashed?
Finally, the screen came back to life.
Thank God. Auto-save had my back. Everything was still there.
I nearly cried with relief, answering the remaining questions even faster. When I submitted that final answer and "Test Complete" flashed on screen, I was done.
I stood. My legs felt weak, but I steadied myself and walked toward the exit.
Stepping outside, sunlight broke through the clouds and hit me square in the face. I stood on the steps, letting my eyes adjust to the glare.
Behind me, a cluster of young women whispered, voices buzzing with excitement.
"Oh my God, look at that guy down there. He's gorgeous."
"Go get his number. Guys like that don't grow on trees."
Then a familiar gaze locked onto me, hot as a brand. I followed the feeling and saw Lucas taking the stairs two at a time toward me.
He moved like wind, his charcoal trench coat flaring behind him, showing off those broad shoulders and long legs. Backlit, his profile was sharp and striking, like some movie star radiating light.
"Is he an actor?"
"Quick, take a picture!"
I heard gasps rippling around me, and a secret satisfaction bloomed in my chest. Yeah, that's my man. And I'm the only one he sees. All those whispers, all that envy—he doesn't hear any of it. He's here for me.
"How'd it go?" Lucas reached me and grabbed my hand, threading our fingers together and squeezing tight, palm to palm.
The chattering girls went dead silent. I could feel their jealous stares like needles in my back, but being chosen like this felt too damn good.
His voice dropped. "Listen, Ella, if you didn't pass, it's okay."
I looked down, hiding a smile, realizing Lucas thought I was upset when really I was trying not to laugh out loud.
"If you didn't pass, we'll try again next year. I'll hire the top professors in the country to tutor you at home. Materials, practice tests—whatever you need. I'll buy out the entire medical education system if I have to. Don't be sad, okay?"
Lucas kept talking, and I watched his face—those butterfly-wing lashes casting pretty shadows on his cheeks. He was still Lucas, still reflexively throwing money and power at every problem. This man, who dominated the business world, was actually failing the test when it came to feelings.
I used to misunderstand, thinking he was using money to humiliate me. But now I got it. He was just trying to solve my problems in the most direct way he knew. His heart was in the right place. He just didn't know how to show he cared without signing a check.
I cut off his grand promises, my face breaking into a wide smile.
"I'm going to pass, Lucas." I met his eyes, my voice more certain than it had ever been. "I answered almost everything, even those evil multiple-choice questions. The official results aren't out yet, but I'm confident."
Lucas froze. Then he let out a low laugh, suddenly swept me up in his arms, and spun me around.
"Ella, you're amazing! I knew you were a genius!"
"Put me down! Everyone's watching!" I yelped, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and excitement. Passing test-takers stared. A few bold guys even whistled at Lucas.
He set me back on the ground but kept his arms locked around my waist, refusing to let go. His heat bled through our clothes, and I didn't know what to do except let him walk me to that flashy car.
Forty-eight hours later, Lucas paid for expedited online results to end the torture of waiting. We huddled in front of the computer screen like desperate gamblers. When the page loaded and the results were about to appear, I slapped my hand over the screen, palm sweating, unable to look.
Lucas laughed and tried to pry my hand away. "Hey, Ella, who was it standing outside that test center two days ago all confident?"
"I-I'm just really nervous..."
I braced against his chest, feeling the firmness there.
He pulled me into his lap and nuzzled my ear, using my distraction to pull my hand away.
"Lucas! That's cheating!"
"Hey, baby, I can see your score."
I covered my eyes.
"You passed." His voice was quiet, tinged with pride. "High score too, baby."
I froze for a second, then turned. The screen clearly showed PASS.
Blood rushed to my head. I jumped up screaming.
"I passed!" I bounced around the room, dropping my study guide and not caring. "I really passed! Lucas, I can finally be a licensed nurse! I can interview at real hospitals, wear that uniform! This has been my dream my whole life!"
Lucas stood, watching me sideways, his eyes burning with intensity.
I stopped, unnerved, and touched my face. "Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have ink on my face or something?"
He shook his head, his long fingers brushing my cheek. "You're really not like those other women."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you bragging about sleeping around?"
"That's not what I meant." He looked exasperated.
"Then what did you mean?" I teased him. "What were Mr. Rockefeller's ex-girlfriends like?"
"They stared at my checkbook." He sounded tired. "Always thinking about next season's designer collections, society galas, Manhattan penthouses. But you're different."
"How am I different?"
"You have unlimited wealth, but you don't think about pleasure," he said, his gaze serious. "You think about using your own abilities to help more people."
Warmth flooded my chest. But I stayed stubborn. "Did you love any of them?"
"No." He didn't hesitate. "No woman has ever made me love deeper, except you."
"Sweet talk," I said, grinning so wide it hurt.
In that moment, Lucas became the husband I'd dreamed of. Generous, kind, and most importantly, starting to understand my soul.
That afternoon, we brought Theodore home from the hospital.
When the nurse lifted him out of the incubator, my hands shook. He'd gained two whole pounds since birth, his little face much rounder. When he opened his eyes and looked at me, his mouth curved into a real smile—pure and perfect, the way only newborns can smile.
"He's smiling," I whispered, as thrilled as if I'd discovered treasure.
Lucas pulled me close. "He's happy you passed, too."
On the drive back to the manor, Theodore lay peacefully in his carrier, pacifier in his mouth. Those gray-blue eyes—identical to Lucas's—studied this new world with curiosity.
The car rolled through the manor gates. Everything looked renewed. The lawn was perfectly trimmed, roses bloomed in full force, and even the ancient oaks seemed more alive. All the staff waited at the entrance, genuine smiles on every face.
Mr. Rockefeller sat in his wheelchair at the front of the crowd.
The moment he saw Theodore, it was like time had reversed ten years. His wrinkled face glowed. Light sparkled in those cloudy eyes. He reached out with trembling hands and carefully took his great-grandson.
"Welcome home, Theodore." His voice was rough but firm.
I stood to the side, watching this place that had once been so cold and full of pain. Because of this tiny life, everything was slowly healing.
Like a broken bone—with proper alignment and enough time, it grows back stronger than before.
Life became vibrant again. With my encouragement, Lucas finally agreed to share company operations with professional managers.
Maya was right—he shouldn't waste that incredible business talent, but he didn't need to sell his soul to work anymore either.
Now he kept regular hours, always home by evening, bringing leftover work to his study.
I reorganized my life. Mornings devoted to Theodore, afternoons at Saint Heart Sanatorium fulfilling my nursing duties. Evenings home just as Lucas walked through the door. While he handled emails in his study, I sat at the desk beside him with my books.
I pulled out my iPad and started searching for new materials. When the screen lit up, Lucas emerged from his office.
"What's my star nurse studying now?"
He came up behind me and saw what I was looking at, eyebrow raised.
"Driver's Theory Test Guide?"
"Yes. I want to be able to drive myself."
Lucas bent down and wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my neck. "You don't have to push yourself so hard, Ella. You're already taking care of Theodore, working afternoons—you're exhausted. We can have the driver handle this."
"I don't want to hand my future to anyone else," I turned my face slightly and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"This isn't about duty. It's about being a person who relies on herself first. Like if it's pouring rain and the driver's not available, I can get myself home.
But if I can't drive, I'm stuck hoping someone else will help. "
I paused, my fingers lightly touching his handsome face. "And I want to be someone you can depend on, not just the burden hiding behind you."
Lucas stared at me for several seconds. Something complicated flickered in his eyes—fear of losing control, maybe, mixed with something like awe. Then he bent down and kissed me back.
Through ragged breathing, he sighed in surrender. "Okay, Ella. From now on, whatever you say. But—"
He switched gears. "I'm teaching you to drive."
His tone was dead serious, making me laugh. "You have time for that?"
"I'll make time. I don't want some instructor alone with you."
I couldn't help laughing. "Are you jealous?"
"Maybe." He pulled me tight against him, voice dropping low. "I don't want anyone near you. You're mine. Always."
I leaned against his chest, listening to that strong heartbeat. Outside the window, the manor lights blazed bright.
Six months ago, I would've done anything to escape this place. Now I was back.
Nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
This time, Rockefeller Manor had finally become my real home.
I'd earned my nursing license and gained independence. I'd get my driver's license and never be trapped in the rain again.
I'd be there for my child, for my husband. This happiness I thought I'd never touch was finally, truly in my hands.