Page 84 of Shadows of Recovery

Kay frowned. She knew she was breaking HIPAA. “She’s very emotionally ill, and, physically, she’s still healing.”

“Does she remember how she was harmed?” Eli asked.

“Yes—in pieces,” Kay admitted and then wanted to take it back.

“And she’s at the Blackwell Institute?”

She looked at Eli carefully. “Yes.”

They exited the building and walked toward a cluster of cottages nestled near the edge of the compound. The homes were modest but well-maintained, surrounded by lush greenery that contrasted with the austere surroundings of the Eldon Sect.

"This will be your new home." Eli opened the door to one of the cottages. Inside, the space was sparsely furnished but clean and functional. "The clinic is just a short walk away. You'll find everything you need there."

Kay nodded, trying to steady her nerves. "It's lovely. Thank you."

Eli released her arm and turned to face her, his expression softening slightly. "We want you to feel welcome here, Dr. Kay. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We take care of our own."

Before she could respond, a group of men and women approached the cottage. Eli introduced them, explaining that they would accompany her to the residential hotel she was staying at since she was forced to leave the Blackwell Institute and pack the little she had there. They would also empty the storage unit she rented to keep her belongings.

At her rented locations and her new home, the men immediately set to work, their strength and efficiency impressive. The women, on the other hand, moved with a quiet grace, their eyes downcast as they followed Eli's instructions.

Kay felt a contradictory mix of relief and trepidation as she watched the scene unfold. Everything was happening so quickly, the sense of control she had always prized slipping away. But she reminded herself that this was a fresh start, a chance to rebuild her career and her life.

As the day wore on, the men unloaded her belongings from the trucks while the women carefully unpacked her personal items. Eli remained close by, overseeing the process and ensuring everything was done to his exacting standards. Despite his polite demeanor, Kay couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and evaluated.

By the time night fell, Kay was settled into her new home. The cottage was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of the past few weeks. She arranged her belongings to create a sense of familiarity in the unfamiliar space.

Exhausted but determined, Kay sat down on the edge of her bed, trying to process the day's events. She thought about Tristan, the Blackwell Institute, and Sophie. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of anger, regret, and a desperate desire to prove herself.

A knock on the door startled her. She opened it to find Eli standing there, a faint smile on his lips. "Just checking to see if you need anything," he asked. "Settling in alright?"

Kay nodded, her voice steady. "Yes, thank you. I'm just getting used to everything."

Eli's smile widened. "Good. Remember, we're here to support you. If you need anything, just let us know."

With that, he turned and left, leaving Kay alone in her new home. She closed the door, leaning against it as a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Tomorrow would be a new day, and she had to be ready to face it. As she lay down to sleep, she thought about the Eldon Sect and the role she had agreed to play in their community.

* * *

At sunrise,a knock on the door jolted Kay from her sleep. She groggily wrapped a robe around herself and shuffled to the door. Opening it, she was greeted by an elderly woman who appeared to be in her seventies, accompanied by six younger women in their late twenties or early thirties.

The older woman smiled warmly and stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, the others following suit. Each woman carried a basket or a casserole dish, filling the small cottage with the aroma of home-cooked food.

"Good morning, dear," the elderly woman said. "I'm Noreen, Trace Whitlock's wife. We've come to welcome you properly."

The younger women introduced themselves one by one. "I'm Belinda, married to Eli," said the first. "Rebecca, Nathan's wife," said the second. "I'm Anna, married to John," said the third. "Hannah, Caleb's wife," said the fourth. "Lydia, David's wife," said the fifth.

The last to speak was a very pregnant woman who smiled warmly. "I'm Emma, and my husband is Damon."

Kay's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Damon's name. The memories of Sophie's trauma surged back, and she struggled to keep her composure. She forced a smile and nodded, trying to hide her discomfort.

"We've brought some food to welcome you." Noreen set down her basket on the small kitchen table. "We thought you'd appreciate a warm meal."

"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Kay replied, her voice tight with unease.

As they bustled around the small cottage, setting out the food and chatting amicably, Kay's mind raced. She hadn't delivered a baby since her residency, and the thought of Emma's impending labor filled her with anxiety. She needed to brush up on her obstetrics skills, and quickly. She made a mental note to talk to Nathan about getting access to the internet.

The women each took turns telling her a little about themselves and their families. Belinda talked about Eli's responsibilities, while Rebecca mentioned Nathan's leadership role in the community. Anna and Hannah shared stories about their children, and Lydia spoke about the close-knit nature of their families.

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