What's Wrong With Being An Omega Nanny?-Chapter 76: Lila?

Chapter 76: Lila?
The campus parking lot was alive with students unloading their bags, their voices were a mix of laughter and exhaustion as they said their goodbyes.
Dr Harris clapped her hands to quiet the group, her clipboard tucked under her arm.
"Alright, everyone," she said, her voice carrying over the chatter. "The scholarship winners will be announced next week at the university’s largest event hall. Tomorrow’s Saturday, so go home, rest, and prepare for classes on Monday. You’ve earned it."
The students cheered, their tired faces lighting up with hope. Elias felt a spark of anticipation, but it was tempered by the nagging suspicion that had lingered since the scholarship announcement.
’Why now?’
he thought again, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag.
As the group began to disperse, students heading to their dorms or waiting for rides, Jace approached Elias.
"Hey, don’t take off yet," he said, his voice low. "The car’s coming to pick us up."
Elias nodded, adjusting his bag.
"Okay," he said, his tone neutral. He caught Jace staring at him, his gaze intense, and frowned. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
Jace shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Nah, I just thought you’d say no and bolt. You know, like when you left early the other day without me."
Elias laughed, the sound lighter than he felt. "Seriously? You’re that childish?" He shook his head, amused despite himself. "I left early because I had stuff to do, Jace. It’s not like I’m mad at you or anything. I’m an adult... I can leave whenever I want."
Jace’s smile faltered, but he nodded, forcing a grin.
"Yeah, of course. You’re an adult. You make your own choices." He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Speaking of choices... what’s your plan for dealing with your heat? You’ve been dodging it, but you can’t keep doing that forever."
Elias’s brows furrowed, his guard going up.
"Why should I tell you?" he asked, his tone sharp. "That’s my business."
Jace held up his hands, his expression softening. "I’m just trying to help, Elias. You’re an adult, sure, but you don’t have to hide stuff from me. I’m here for you."
Elias’s jaw tightened, his frustration bubbling up. "I don’t need you worrying about me, Jace," he said, his voice firm. "I’ll figure it out myself." He glanced past Jace, spotting a sleek black car pulling into the lot. "Look, the car’s here. Let’s go."
Before Jace could respond, Elias started toward the car, his steps quick. Jace followed, his expression a mix of concern and irritation, but he didn’t push further. They slid into the backseat together, the leather seats cool against Elias’s skin. Jace leaned forward to tell the driver,
"Head to the house," and the car pulled out of the lot, leaving the campus behind.
.
.
Meanwhile, at the matching centre’s private hospital wing, Nathan Caldwell lounged on his bed, a new phone in his hand, its screen glowing as he set it up.
The sterile room smelled of antiseptics, but Nathan’s spirits were high; his recovery was faster than expected. The doctor, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanour, checked his chart, her expression approving.
*Whoever stitched you up did a solid job," she said, adjusting her glasses. "Even if it wasn’t professional, it was good enough to keep you from bleeding out. And you’re tougher than you look, young master. Most people would’ve needed more than painkillers and sleeping pills to endure that kind of pain."
Nathan grinned, unboxing his phone with a flourish.
"I’m a survivor," he said, his tone light. "Can I get out of here soon? I’m going stir-crazy."
The doctor shook her head, but before she could answer, Dr Patel entered, his clipboard in hand. "Not yet," he said, his voice firm but kind. "We need to run your matching test first. I’ve been informed that it’s scheduled for tomorrow. The omega we’re pairing you with is already in town."
Nathan’s grin faded, his brows furrowing. "Matching test? Come on, doc, can’t I skip it? I’m not interested in anyone right now."
"Seems like you’ve forgotten that’s the reason you’re in town," Dr Patel sighed, pulling out his phone and pretending to dial. "Should I call your father, then? I’m sure the president would love to hear you’re dodging protocol."
Nathan’s eyes widened, and he held up a hand. "Alright, alright, I’ll do it," he said, his tone grudging. "No need to get Dad involved."
Dr Patel smiled, satisfied.
"Good. Be ready tomorrow." He left the room, leaving Nathan alone with his thoughts.
Nathan leaned back, muttering to himself as he inserted his SIM card.
"Matching test, my ass. I’m not ready for that." His mind wandered to Elias... his
"saviour,"
as he would call him. He wondered how he was doing especially after Nathan left without saying a word to him.
He opened his messaging app, failed Elias’s number as he stored it in his head and then saved it as "My Saviour."
’Might as well let him know I’m alive,’
he thought, typing out a quick text.
N:
Hey, Saviour. I’m currently getting treated at a fancy hospital. I’ll be out soon... or I’m gonna come find you. Stay out of trouble till then.
He hit send, a grin spreading across his face. He leaned back, his thoughts drifting to the way Elias had patched him up, his hands steady despite the chaos.
’That kid’s got guts,’
he thought, his grin softening.
’And he’s cute when he’s annoyed. I really want to see him again. Maybe if I run away from the test tomorrow, I could see him again,’
Nathan’s phone buzzed with another notification, and he switched to a different chat, texting his father.
N:
Father... I heard you caught the guys who jumped me. What’s the deal? Tell me what happened.
He didn’t expect a reply right away... his father was a busy man, and Nathan wasn’t sure he wanted to know what had happened to the culprits. He was already sure that if the police were involved, they’d be arrested, but knowing his father, Nathan doubted they were still breathing. The thought didn’t bother him as much as it should have. They were the ones who made the mistake of kidnapping him, or maybe it was Nathan who made the mistake of entering a kidnapper’s car.
He touched his stomach, the bandage rough under his fingers.
"Well, I wouldn’t mind getting stabbed again if it means those small warm hands on me," he muttered, chuckling to himself.
The idea of seeing Elias again, of teasing him until that annoyed flush crept up his cheeks, was enough to keep Nathan’s mood light despite the hospital’s sterile gloom.
.
.
Back at the Voss house, Elias and Jace stepped out of the car, the familiar driveway stretching before them. Elias thanked the driver, his voice polite but distant, and headed inside, his bag slung over his shoulder. Jace followed close behind, his eyes flicking to Elias’s phone as it buzzed in his hand. Elias glanced at the screen, a small smile tugging at his lips when he saw Nathan’s text, but he quickly turned it off when he noticed Jace watching.
"Who was that?" Jace asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "Rowan? He’s got you smiling like that?"
Elias rolled his eyes, pocketing his phone.
"It’s not Rowan," he said, his voice clipped. "And it’s none of your business, Jace," He pushed open the front door, the familiar smell of polished wood and lavender hitting him. The Voss house was just as he left it before going for the field trip, but it felt more like a cage than a home.
’I can’t wait for Lila to get better so we can leave,’
he thought, his chest tightening.
Jace lingered in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"You don’t have to hide stuff from me, Elias," he said, his voice softer now. "I’m just trying to look out for you."
Elias turned, his frustration flaring.
"I don’t need you looking out for me, Jace," he said, his tone sharp. "I can handle myself. You saw what I did to that doctor." He softened his voice, not wanting to fight. "Just... let me do this my way, okay?"
Jace nodded, but his eyes were still searching, like he was trying to read Elias’s thoughts.
"Fine," he said, his voice tight. "But I’m here if you change your mind."
Elias didn’t respond, heading to Lila’s room. His heart was racing, the weight of Jace’s concern and Nathan’s text mixing with his own exhaustion.
"Seeing Lila could get rid of these mixed feelings,"
He pushed open the door to Lila’s room, expecting to see her lying in bed, pale and weak as she’d been for years. Instead, his bag slipped from his shoulder, hitting the floor with a thud. Lila was sitting up, a bowl of porridge in her hands, her face brighter than he’d seen in months. She looked up, her eyes lighting up when she saw him.
"Brother!" she said, her voice was weak but warm. "You’re back!"
Elias’s throat tightened, a tear rolling down his cheek as he mumbled her name.
"Li... Lila," he whispered, stepping forward, as his heart swelled with relief and joy.