Page 16 of Claws and Controllers

The hospital corridors were a maze of antiseptic smells and fluorescent lights. Ellie found her family clustered outside a room in the cardiac unit. Her mother enveloped her in a tight hug the moment she arrived.

“How is she?” Ellie asked, peering over her mother’s shoulder into the room where her grandmother lay, looking small and fragile amidst a tangle of wires and monitors.

“Stable for now,” her father, Jack, answered. His usually commanding presence seemed diminished in the sterile hospital environment. “They’re running tests.”

The next few hours passed in a blur of doctor’s visits, hushed conversations, and anxious waiting. Ellie’s phone buzzed periodically with updates from Noa about the convention, but they felt distant and unimportant compared to the rhythmic beeping of her grandmother’s heart monitor.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon after Abuela Elena was resting comfortably and the immediate crisis had passed that Ellie remembered her commitment to Zy. She’d promised to meet with him to work on the character development for Infinite Odyssey. With everything happening, it had completely slipped her mind.

Guilt gnawed at her as she pulled out her phone. Professional obligations shouldn’t matter at a time like this, but Ellie couldn’t shake the feeling that she owed Zy an explanation. Their rivalry aside, he had been unexpectedly kind during their last encounter.

She typed out a message, hoping to strike a balance between professionalism and honesty:

“Zy, I apologize for the short notice, but I won’t be able to make our meeting today. Family emergency. My grandmother is in the hospital. Perhaps we could reschedule for later this week?”

Ellie hit send before she could overthink it. She was surprised when a reply came almost immediately:

“I’m so sorry to hear that, Ellie. Of course, family comes first. Please don’t worry about our meeting. Is there anything I can do to help?”

The genuine concern in his message caught Ellie off guard. She found herself smiling despite the circumstances.

“Thank you for understanding. We’re okay for now, but I appreciate the offer.”

She hesitated for a moment, then added:

“How about we meet at my office in a few days? Once things settle down here.”

Zy’s response was prompt and warm:

“Absolutely. Just let me know when you’re ready. Sending positive thoughts to you and your grandmother.”

Ellie set her phone down, a strange mix of emotions swirling in her chest. Gratitude for Zy’s understanding, surprise at his kindness, and a lingering wariness born from their competitive history. It was all too much to process right now.

She turned her attention back to her family, pushing thoughts of work and rivalries aside. Right now, all that mattered was being here for Abuela Elena.

The day wore on, a parade of doctors and nurses coming and going. Ellie’s siblings arrived, filling the small hospital room with whispered conversations and the rustle of get-well cards. As evening approached, Ellie found herself alone with her grandmother while the rest of the family went in search of coffee and somewhat edible hospital food.

Abuela Elena stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “Elliot?” she murmured, using Ellie’s full name as she always had.

“I’m here, Abuela,” Ellie said, taking her grandmother’s hand gently.

“My brave girl,” Elena said, her voice weak but filled with warmth. “Always working so hard. You should be at your big event, not stuck here with an old woman.”

Ellie shook her head fiercely. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. The convention doesn’t matter.”

Elena clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Everything matters,mi amor. Especially the things we pour our hearts into.” She studied Ellie’s face for a moment. “Something’s troubling you. Beyond my little tumble.”

Ellie opened her mouth to deny it, but the knowing look in her grandmother’s eyes stopped her. Even lying in a hospital bed, Abuela Elena could read her like a book.

“It’s... complicated,” Ellie began hesitantly. “There’s this guy–”

“Ah,” Elena interrupted with a knowing smile. “There’s always a guy.”

Ellie couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not like that, Abuela. He’s a competitor. The CEO of Ashford Entertainment.”

“The company that bought your ex-husband’s stolen game?” Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Ellie nodded. “But he’s... not what I expected. He’s been kind and understanding. He even offered to help me with some issues I’ve been having with my game.”

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