The morning light stretched softly through the hospital blinds. The air was cool, scented faintly of antiseptic and the flowers on the windowsill. I had been counting the hours since dawn, wanting to feel time move again
Maya was fussing with my overnight bag, checking and rechecking that I hadn't forgotten anything. "You've got your medication, right? And the doctor's note?" she asked firmly.
"Yes, Maya," I said with a smile. "I think that's the fifth time I have said it."
She exhaled, pressing her lips together. "You would forget your own name if it weren't on your ID badge."
Before I could respond, the door creaked open. Leo stepped in quietly. He was not wearing his usual suit today, just a dark sweater and jeans, yet somehow he still looked like he belonged in charge.
As soon as Maya mentioned that she had overheard two nurses saying Mr. Thorne was the one who brought me to the hospital, I confronted him, and after some persuasion, he admitted it.
I was glad he was alright, but, strangely, I felt a spark of excitement when I learned he was coming to the hospital to take me home.
"Ready to go?" he asked, meeting my eyes.
I hesitated, glancing back at the bed. The sheets were still creased where I had been sitting. "Yes, I'm ready to go."
"I will drive," Leo said as he led me out of the ward and then out of the hospital."
The ride home was mostly silent. Outside the window, I watched the road unwind and breathed in the cool air. Leo's hand was steady on the wheel beside me.
When the car stopped at a red light, he finally spoke. His tone was gentle but firm. "You don't have to go in today."
"I wasn't planning to rest forever, Leo. The team still needs me—"
"The team has been fine," he interrupted, his tone steady but not unkind. "Maya is handling client updates, Julian's covering strategy. You just need to focus on recovering."
Oh, so he knows the roles of my team members. What doesn't he know?
I turned to face him. "You're seriously going to tell me I can't go to my own office?"
I saw his jaw tightened. "I'm not saying you can't, but not today. You're still healing, Elara."
"I can think and type, Leo. I'm not in a coma," I said, feeling a flicker of irritation.
"That's not the point." His fingers tapped the steering wheel once before he looked at me again. "You almost died two days ago, Elara. Maybe just… breathe before running back into the fire."
I looked away, watching the light turn green. "You sound just like Maya."
He chuckled faintly. "That's because she actually cares about you."
When we reached my apartment, the place felt foreign. Too quiet and too neat. Leo carried my bag inside, setting it gently by the couch. I stood there, feeling like a guest in my own home.
"Do you want me to make you tea or something?" he asked.
I shook my head. "You don't have to babysit me."
He leaned against the counter, studying me for a moment. "That's not what this is."
"Then what is it?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"It's making sure you don't overwork yourself."
For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The hum of the refrigerator filled the silence.
Finally, I breathed. "Fine. I will work from home. Just emails and client reviews."His eyes were fixed on me. Something I noticed he does more than often.
Later that evening, when he left, I sat by the window and realized how long it had been since I took a break.
Maybe Leo was right. Maybe rest wasn't weakness. Maybe it was survival.