"Hello Alaric, I hope you are recovering better." Lucien greeted him with a smile which didn't reach his eyes.
"I was better…" Alaric muttered under his breath… "Thanks for asking, I'm good."
"Elena," Lucien said, his tone smooth, almost warm. "I was just speaking with the doctors."
Elena finally turned her head towards him.
"They've advised that your treatment should continue back in New York," Lucien continued, stepping closer, his gaze briefly scanning her face before returning to something more neutral. "It's better if you travel back with me. I'll make all the arrangements."
The room fell silent.
Before Elena could respond… "She's not in the condition to travel," Clara cut in.
All eyes turned to her.
Clara stepped forward slightly, her voice steady, though there was a firmness in it now that hadn't been there before. "Her reports aren't even ready yet. The doctors haven't cleared her for discharge, let alone a long flight."
