Ella's POV:
When I finally stepped out of the penthouse and into the elevator, my mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, feelings, and guilt. As the floors descended, I wondered how this hospital visit would go. Would it be tense? Awkward? Would Kate and Joanne find some way to get along for my sake, or would they end up making this whole day even harder?
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped into the lobby, spotting Joanne waiting by the reception desk. She was dressed to perfection, as usual, looking completely at ease as she scrolled through her phone. When she saw me, her face lit up, her smile genuine and bright.
"Ella!" she exclaimed, pocketing her phone. "There you are. I was starting to think they'd locked me out for good."
"Sorry about that," I said, forcing a smile. "They're pretty strict about who they let up to the penthouse."
"Oh, it's fine," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "Shall we?"
