Chapter 311 – Cora at Home

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

myself, sick, again, of being jealous of

happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize how unhappy

for my phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages. I sigh and click open my message

did the baptism go? Dinner

You okay?

2

Hey, send me a text when you get up – I know

from you.

and click through the rest of my phone, trying, determinedly,

all from Roger. Not a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message

I mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let me

your apartment door…

a little bit when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being

doesn’t even want – despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And there’s a man standing outside my door with mooshoo pork, dying to love me.

me? Quickly, I jump out of my bed

I

large bag of Chinese on the little mail table I

just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should

warm smile. “I get

frame and gesturing towards my little apartment. “I

up a bit at the corner. “That sounds great, Cora.”

right out of the containers with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both work at, seeing both prospective mothers as well as general ailments from humans and wolves who currently don’t have access

his story, my eyes flicking over

feel something twist in my stomach as I watch him, something that makes me…well, makes- me

he asks, making me blink and focus on him. “Did

words. Then, I grimace a little. I’m sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts a little bit. Forgive

okay,” he responds, giving me a little wink and reaching out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just curious if you think Ella would want to be

think she’d be dying to be more involved in the clinic,” I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would she

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