Chapter 95
ELODIE’S POV~
After that day, Liora stopped calling.
Not completely though. It just… turned less. Now that she knew my ankle was healed, the daily check-ins disappeared.
She didn’t ask why I hadn’t come home last night. Didn’t seem to notice or care.
And Dante? He never asked about my movements at all. Never had.
So I just… went back to my apartment. Back to my routine.
Work. Sleep. And just… Repeat.
By Friday, Cole had signed two new projects, both big ones that brought in substantial revenue. Johnny was thrilled, and to celebrate, he organized a company-wide team-building event.
The team voted on the location and hot springs won.
When the message came through, I stared at my phone for a long moment, and then let out a bitter and quiet laugh.
Johnny looked up from his desk. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to go p>
“It’s not that p>
It was just… the last time I’d been to a hot spring, Dante and Liora had left me there. Abandoned me at the resort while they went off together.
Half a month ago.
It felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once.
“You sure?” Johnny pressed. “We can pick somewhere else if p>
“No. It’s fine.” I closed my laptop. “It’s my first company event since coming back. I should go p>
And I meant it.
This time would be different. This time I’d be with people who actually wanted me around.
The resort was nothing like the Wilson family’s private estate. This was a public, huge hotel, with multiple pools, and full entertainment facilities. It was busy and loud and completely different.
I changed into the provided bathrobe and headed to the hot spring area.
The women’s section was empty when I arrived. Most of the other female employees were still getting ready, I guessed.
I slipped into the pool. Let the hot water soak into my muscles and tried to relax.
I’d been there maybe a minute when I noticed her.
I mean a little girl. Maybe six or seven, around Liora’s age. She was crouching by the edge of the pool, reaching out to touch the water with her curious fingers.
The pool was deep here. At least 1.2 meters. And this kid was small. Definitely shorter than that.
Where were her parents?
I sat up straighter, watching her.
“Hey,” I called out. “Be careful p>
She leaned too far.
I saw it happen. Saw her lose her balance and saw her eyes go wide.
Then… splash.
She went under the water. I didn’t even think. I just moved and lunged across the pool, and grabbed her, and pulled her up and out of the water.
She clung to me immediately, her small arms wrapping around my neck in a death grip. Coughing. Crying. Her whole body was shaking.
“It’s okay,” I said, holding her tight. “You’re okay. I’ve got you p>
She coughed harder, more water coming up. Her face was red from the heat or the crying or both.
I patted her back gently, trying to help her breathe. “Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe p>
Her crying didn’t even stop, but the coughing eased.
I looked around and saw that there was no one else in the pool area.
Where the hell were this kid’s parents?
“Hey,” I said softly. “What’s your name p>
She hiccupped and didn’t answer.
“Can you tell me your mom’s name? Or your dad’s p>
Nothing. Just more crying.
Great.
I climbed out of the pool, still holding her and grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her shaking shoulders.
“Come on. Let’s find someone who can help, okay p>
I headed toward the staff area, the little girl still clinging to me like a koala.
I walked out of the staff area, still holding the little girl, when I saw Alpha Harry Becker. He was standing maybe twenty feet away, looking around like he was searching for something.
Before I could process that, the girl in my arms started reaching toward him. Crying harder now.
“Uncle! Uncle p>
Harry’s head snapped in our direction. He crossed the distance in seconds, and I found myself handing over the soaking wet child.
“Daisy,” he said, taking her from me. His hands were gentle but his face was tight with concern. He looked her over quickly, checking for injuries, probably, then his eyes landed on me. “What happened p>
Of all the people at this resort, of course this kid belonged to Harry Becker.
“She fell into the pool,” I explained. “I saw her go under and pulled her out p>
His jaw tightened. “Thank you p>
“Don’t mention it.” Then, I gestured toward Daisy, who was still shivering. “Just get her into dry clothes before she catches cold p>
He nodded and then looked at me for another second like he wanted to say something else.
But Daisy was crying again, clinging to him, clearly scared and overwhelmed.
“Right,” he said and gave me a brief nod. “Thank you p>
Then he was gone, heading toward the elevators with Daisy in his arms.
I stood there for a moment, dripping and alone.
Then I went back to the hot springs.
After soaking for another half hour, I changed into regular clothes and headed to the buffet.
I was almost done eating when I saw them again.
Harry. And Daisy, now dressed in dry clothes, her hair still damp but neatly combed.
He was scanning the room, looking for somewhere to sit, probably.
His eyes landed on my table.
Great. Ugh!
He walked over. “Mind if we sit here p>
I did mind, actually. I didn’t particularly want to spend more time around Harry Becker than absolutely necessary.
But he’d already asked. And his niece was right there, looking small and tired.
“Go ahead,” I said.
He pulled out a chair for Daisy. “Sit here and don’t move, okay? I’m going to get you some food p>
Daisy looked at me nervously, then back at Harry and then nodded. “Okay p>
Harry turned to me. “Can you watch her? Just for a minute p>
I really didn’t want to.
But what was I supposed to say? No, I can’t keep an eye on a six-year-old for five minutes while you get her dinner?
“Sure,” I said.
He left.
And then it was just me and Daisy.
She sat across from me, her hands folded in her lap, looking everywhere except at me.
She was shy or scared. Maybe both.
I didn’t want to startle her by talking too much, but the silence felt heavy either way.
And I had no idea what to give her from my plate. I didn’t know if she had allergies or dietary restrictions or if she was one of those kids who only ate chicken nuggets.
“Your uncle will be back soon,” I said gently.
She looked up at me with those dark eyes, still a little red from crying.
She nodded and silence fell again.
I tried again. “Does your nose still hurt? From the water earlier p>
She shook her head.
“That’s good p>
More silence ensued.
God, this was awkward.
She kept staring at me, though. Not saying anything. Just… watching.
“What?” I asked, keeping my voice soft.
She bit her lip. Then, very quietly, “You saved me p>
My chest tightened.
“Yeah. I guess I did p>
“Thank you p>
Her voice was so small. So sincere.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart p>
She smiled. Just a little, tentatively.