Chapter 21 - Flight to Baltimore
The private Gulfstream jet cut through the crisp autumn clouds at thirty-five thousand feet, cruising smoothly toward the East Coast.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the sterile tension of the Chicago boardroom. The interior was outfitted with plush cream-leather seating, polished walnut cabinetry, and soft amber lighting that cast a warm glow across the interior.
Ellie sat by the window, staring out at the endless ocean of white clouds below, holding a cup of hot chamomile tea.
Across the aisle, Damien was reviewing a digital tablet containing medical updates from Dr. Sterling in Baltimore. Every few minutes, his dark eyes would flick up to check on her, ensuring she was eating, resting, or simply breathing without the weight of the world pressing down on her chest.
“Dr. Sterling sent another update ten minutes ago,” Damien said softly, breaking the quiet hum of the jet engines. He set the tablet down on the small center table. “Leo is fully conscious. His neurological responses are normal, and he’s currently demanding to know why he’s eating hospital gelatin instead of real food.”
A genuine, radiant smile broke across Ellie’s face—the kind of smile that made her look ten years younger, free of the exhaustion and terror that had defined her existence for the past twenty-four months.
“That’s definitely my brother,” Ellie laughed, setting her teacup down and leaning back against the plush seat. “He could survive a major neurosurgical tumor resection and still complain about the menu.”
Damien smiled, a rare, soft expression that belonged entirely to her. He unbuckled his seatbelt, stood up, and slid into the empty seat directly across from her, taking her small hand in his large, warm palm.
“You’ve carried him for a long time, Ellie,” Damien said, his voice deep and steady. “You played mother, guardian, nurse, and provider while the rest of the world looked the other way. You don’t have to carry him alone anymore.”
Ellie squeezed his hand tightly, her throat tightening with a sudden wave of emotion. “When I met you three weeks ago, I thought you were just another ruthless businessman wrapped up in Chicago’s underworld. I thought my life was just a series of survival tactics.”
“And now?” Damien asked gently, his dark eyes searching hers.
May you like
“Now, I realize survival was just the prologue,” she whispered, leaning forward and resting her forehead against his shoulder. “You gave me a sanctuary when I had nowhere else to turn, Damien. You saved Leo’s life just as much as Dr. Sterling did.”
Damien wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as the jet soared steadily through the stratosphere toward the hospital where her brother was waiting.
