Child of a King

Chapter forty-four - Breaking news + Characters

The waiting room was quiet this early in the morning. Only a few people were scattered around—a tired-looking elderly man, two women quietly chatting, and a boy slightly older than me. None of them stood out or did anything unusual. They all looked...normal. I wondered what I had been expecting. It was strange to think that you could feel so different on the inside, like something was wrong, but on the outside, you looked just like everyone else. That thought weighed heavily on my mind as I stared down at my shoes, second-guessing if therapy was really a good idea.

I had blurted it out when I was practically half-asleep, after a mentally exhausting day. Now, sitting here with the weight of my decision, I wasn't so sure. I glanced over at Marc, who was beside me, nursing a cup of coffee. He had given up sleep—again—to be here with me. Though he hid it well, I could see the tiredness etched around his eyes. He and Dad shared a love for coffee, which seemed to be the only thing keeping him awake.

Nate, seated on my other side, gently rubbed circles on the back of my hand, instantly soothing the nervous tension in my chest. He'd always been my rock, the brother I leaned on even before Dad arrived. I hadn't even needed to ask him to come with me today—he'd insisted as soon as Dad arranged the appointment last night. Nate had been there since day one, and having him here now, when I felt so unsure, meant everything.

"Estella?" A soft voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see a tall woman standing in the doorway. She had kind eyes and a gentle smile that immediately put me a little more at ease.

"That's us," Dad said, his voice calm as he stood from his seat. He offered me a reassuring smile as he extended his hand to the woman.

"Hello, I'm Lillian Crawford," she introduced herself, shaking Dad's hand and nodding at Marc and Nate. Then, she crouched down to my level, offering her hand. "You must be Estella."

"Yes," I mumbled, shyly shaking her hand. Her touch was soft, but firm, and somehow, it made me feel a bit more grounded.

"It's lovely to meet you," she said, her smile not wavering. There was something about her eyes that twinkled with understanding, as if she could see the nerves bubbling up inside me. "Come right this way."

Dad gave my hand a gentle squeeze as we followed her down the hallway and into a room. I felt a nervous knot form in my stomach. My eyes darted around the space, taking in the room's calming décor. It was warm, welcoming. The smell of fresh flowers filled the air, making the space feel a little less intimidating. Plants were placed in every corner, and there were a few framed paintings hanging on the walls, splashes of color that helped to ease my nerves a bit. In one corner, there was a small table with toys neatly arranged. The couch looked incredibly soft, almost like it was inviting me to sit down and relax.

"It's nice in here, isn't it?" Lillian's voice was soothing as she watched me survey the room. "I try to make it feel like a safe space."

I nodded, squeezing Dad's hand a little tighter. I wasn't sure what to say, so I just stood there, taking it all in.

Lillian motioned to the couch. "Why don't we all sit down? We'll take it slow, okay?"

I exchanged a glance with Dad before we both sat on the couch. It felt as soft as it looked, and that helped, even just a little bit. Marc and Nate stayed nearby, their presence reassuring.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, Estella," Lillian said softly as she sat across from us. "We can just talk about anything you're comfortable with. This is your time, and we're here for you."

I nodded again, but my voice still wouldn't come. My gaze wandered around the room, my mind too restless to settle. That's when my eyes landed on a painting—a field of sunflowers stretching toward a bright, endless sky. The vibrant colors pulled me in, making me squint as I tried to place where I'd seen it before.