Heart on Fire | Noah Sebastian

Chapter 37

Noah's POV.

Patrick and I spent the night cleaning Belle's house and preparing to bring her home. Contact with Belle was limited for the days after her parents first visit because she was transferred to a different ward and I missed her sorely, but I'm excited to bring her home. I brought her new pyjamas, a new fluffy pillow for her bed and a cute little teddy bear I spotted at the mall that reminded me of her. Patrick brought all of her favourite foods and snacks, decorated her kitchen with a bunch of fresh flowers and placed a new photo on her mantle. The photo was of Belle and Lucas sitting by a fire roasting a marshmallow together, wearing matching beanies and sharing the exact same smile. Belle didn't know the photo existed. We had everything set up ready to welcome her home.

I had Nicholas, Jolly and Nick wait by her house to surprise her as well. She was very mentally drained and down in her spirits since the visit and so I thought having a few of her friends around would help lift her up, remind her that she's not alone and that she's safe with us all. I want her to feel special and remind her that no matter what she thinks, she is not a burden on anyone. She's the star in everyone's solar system, always giving warmth and brightness to anyone who's life she touches. I asked Eric and Toby to come as well, and Eric said he and Connor will call by after his shift. Toby never responded. Having my friends around really helped me when I was in dark places, so I'm hoping it'll help her too.

But when we drove down to the hospital to pick her up she wasn't there. Her room was empty and already remade ready for the next patient. A nearby nurse informed us that Belle was discharged last night and left with her legal guardians.

She was gone.

I immediately tried calling her phone but the number was disconnected. I called out for Belle throughout the hospital, running up and down the halls just praying I'd entered the wrong room and the nurses had her confused with someone else. I begged the nurses to stop playing games and tell me where she was but looked at me with saddened eyes. I demanded to speak with the last doctor who authorised her discharge.

"I'm sorry Mr Sebastian but I can't give you those details. Once deemed medically unfit, her parents thought it would be best for Isabella to return back to her home country to receive treatment and care. I'm sorry I can't give you anymore information. I've already said too much," a doctor told me. I didn't catch his name but he had the word 'psychiatric' stitched on his jacket, so I guessed they based this off some bullshit psychiatric review.

I blew up, "what do you mean medically unfit? She is the Captain of Fire and Rescue. She's probably the most fit out of all of us!" The doctor tried to stop me but I kept going. "She's 27, she doesn't need a legal guardian!" My heart was shattering into a million pieces. This wasn't fair.

The doctor shook his head and put a hand to my face before turning around and leaving me with unanswered questions. I kept hurling anger fuelled abuse at the doctor as he walked away but he never responded. I turned to Patrick in disbelief. Tears were brimming his eyes and I applauded him for holding it all together better than I. "Maybe we can catch them at the airport!"

I began to run down the hallway leaving Patrick to trail behind me, smashing the elevator keys to make the doors open faster. Patrick called out to me as he ran down the hall too but I wasn't listening. I had to go save her. I needed her back in the safety of my arms. I kicked the door in fury and growled when it stopped at the floor below me.

"Noah she's not going to be there!" He yelled down the hall before he caught me. Patrick gripped my shoulder and tried to turn me around to face him but I didn't want to believe what he said was true. If i didn't face him it meant he was lying. The doorbell clicked open and a bunch of people walked out.