Eric nodded, gently brushing his fingers through Ella's hair before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. His voice was soothing and filled with tenderness. "I know you don't want to see him, so I'll call and turn him down."
Ella secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though a heavy feeling remained lodged in her heart, leaving her uneasy.
Her mother's greatest love was downstairs. Her mother would have wanted her to reconnect with her biological father, but for now, Ella couldn't bring herself to face him.
Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the dining table. Once they were seated, he ordered breakfast and called Lucas.
"Ella isn't feeling well, so she won't be coming down," Eric informed him.
Lucas's voice immediately turned concerned. "What's wrong? Does she need to see a doctor? I know some highly experienced doctors who've been practicing for decades…"
