#Chapter 403 – An Angry King

Ella “Oh, Ella,” Cora sighs, her shoulders slumping as she sees my reaction to her words. She strides over to me and wraps me in a big hug. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs into my hair, “I shouldn’t have said it like that.” “No,” I sniff, “you’re right – I should have listened –“ “It’s okay. You didso goodby her,” Cora says, loosening her grip and turning me towards the little girl asleep in her bed. “She wasn’t going to make it, Ella,” Cora whispers as we look down at the girl. “Not even a few more days – maybe not even through the night. And look at her now.” Tears are streaming freely down my cheeks now. “She’s perfect,” I murmur, and Cora nods. “So, you did a good thing,” she sighs, wiping at my tears in her own brusk way, “but we still haveworkto do. All right?” “Okay,” I say nodding and looking around the room. “Who’s next?” “A little boy,” she says, looking down at her clipboard. “Named Philip.” “A sweet little boy!” I gasp, and then I bury my face in my hands and start