Chapter 15

In order not to worry their parents, Cyrus quietly tucked the medical report away without showing it to anyone. He had already passed along the doctor's instructions to the helpers. By the time they returned home, the dining table was filled with Elise's favorite dishes that she was allowed to eat at the moment. Lucy wiped her tears as she looked at Elise, the girl she had watched grow up. "Ms. Cullen, it's so good to have you back," she said. Her eyes were filled with deep, unspoken worry. Elise's eyes turned red with emotion. She stepped forward, gently took Lucy's hand, and forced a smile. "Lucy, I really missed your cooking," she said softly. Lucy immediately pulled her to sit at the table. The moment she felt the rough calluses on Elise's once-soft hands, her heart ached even more. "Come now, eat up. How did you lose so much weight? Ms. Cullen, you have to eat more. If there's anything else you want, just tell me," Lucy added with concern. The others gathered around the ta