Ernest found himself torn. “Maybe you could wait until this afternoon?” He had missed work the previous day, and now a meeting demanded his attention that morning.

He had hoped to bring Elissa along to his office.

“I’m not interested in going to your office.” A frown settled on Elissa’s face as she refused, making her stance clear. “If you’re really that worried, then send more bodyguards. Make sure they’re women who won’t leave my side, even when I have to use the bathroom. Do you honestly think I could disappear if there were ten more people glued to me?”

Her reply caught Ernest off guard. “That isn’t necessary.”

After a moment of thought, he settled on a new plan. “I’ll have someone drive you to the hospital, check in with your grandfather, and then take you over to my office.”

“Whatever you want.” Elissa shrugged, seeing no point in arguing.

In Srixby, Addy was the only one who truly cared about her. Now, Addy was lying in a hospital bed because of her.

A memory of her past conversation with her mother surfaced. Elissa recalled how Savannah had tried to keep her from coming to Srixby.

Savannah had said, “Elissa, you’re going to Srixby all alone. Without me there, it’ll hit you—when things get tough, you’ll feel lost and alone.”

That warning finally made sense to her. Only now did Elissa grasp the weight of Savannah’s words.

At the hospital.

Addy looked far better than he had two days ago. His spirits had lifted.

“Easy now…” Elissa steadied him as she helped him into the wheelchair.

A knock sounded. A nurse stepped in. “Good morning, Miss Holland. Mr. Holland, it’s time for your check-up.”

Addy frowned and gripped Elissa’s hand, clearly unwilling.

She smiled, already knowing what that look meant. “No skipping today, Grandpa. You need that check-up.”

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Addy sighed through pursed lips and gave her an exasperated glare.

Elissa laughed.

It felt good—seeing him well enough to glare and pout like always.

“Come on. Let’s head over.”

“Right away, Miss Holland.”

Inside the examination room, they completed two tests.

The results came in—and they weren’t bad.

The doctor explained that Addy’s condition had been severe, but he had pulled through.

Elissa’s eyes filled with emotion. Just like when she was a little girl, she reached up and gently ran her hand over his hair. “You did amazing, Grandpa. I’m so proud of you.”

Addy gave her a faint smile and nodded.

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