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CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE
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A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY
ELLA'S POVMy heart pounded as Trent and I approached the hospital building. After days of searching, we had finally tracked down the location where Mr. Stewart's ex-wife was being held. Swallowing hard, I tugged nervously at the blouse we had purchased for this mission."Are you sure this is going to work?" I whispered anxiously to Trent. "What if we get caught?"He gave my hand a squeeze. "Relax, Ella. This is going to work. Just follow my lead, okay?"I took a deep breath and smoothed the blouse, trying to project an air of confidence I didn't quite feel. We pushed through the hospital's front doors, the sterile smell of disinfectant assaulting my senses.Trent walked up to the nurse's station, flashing the woman behind the counter a charming smile. "Excuse me. I'm Tristan, and this is my colleague Eliza. We're social workers from the state service office. We have an appointment to see a patient - Lydia Stewart."The nurse eyed us as she took in our blouse, assessing whether we tr
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY ONE
ELLA'S POV"Oh no," I breathed, panic surging through me. I glanced at Trent, his expression mirroring the dread I felt."And who exactly are you people?" The nurse demanded, her eyes narrowing.Trent straightened his shoulders. "We're her family. We were just coming to check up on her." But the nurse wasn't having it. She reached for the phone on the wall. "Security, we have a situation here in room 315," she barked into the receiver. "Two individuals claiming to be social workers, but I believe they're imposters."Desperate, I surged forward and gripped her arm. "Please, you have to listen to us. But the nurse pulled away, her expression hardening. "Security is on their way. I suggest you two come quietly before this escalates further."Trent leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ella, we have to get out of here. Now."I hesitated, my gaze darting between the nurse and Lydia's prone form on the bed. But the sound of pounding footsteps in the hallway spurred me into action.
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY TWO
ELLA'S POV"I thought I said you shouldn't bother coming," I told Susan as she pulled me into a tight hug.She leaned back. "Yeah, like you really expect me to miss how Amelia's gonna look when she finally knows the truth?"I couldn't help but laugh at that, picturing the utter shock on her face. But as my gaze drifted past Susan, my amusement quickly changed into dread."Oh no..." I groaned, watching as more figures approached - Lucinda and her clique of friends. "Please tell me you didn't invite them.""What? of course not! why would I?" Susan looked just as bewildered as I felt.Soon, I spotted even more familiar faces - half the class, it seemed, were making their way towards us. "This is a disaster," I groaned. "I can't have everyone here for this."Lucinda came up to me, her ruby-red lips curled into a pout. "Oh, Ella, I'm just so hurt. Your mother is getting married and you couldn't even invite me, your best friend?" She placed a hand dramatically over her heart.I hissed in ir
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY THREE
ELLA'S POVThe security guards descended upon Mr. Stewart, their hands clamping down on his arms and hauling him back. He thrashed against their hold, spittle flying from his lips."You'll all pay for this!" Mr. Stewart bellowed, as he struggled to release himself. "I'll make you regret the day you crossed me!""It's over now, Mr. Stewart," Trent said firmly, stepping forward to stand by my side. "The truth has finally come to light, and there's nowhere left for you to hide."Mr. Stewart let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "You think this is over? I'll get out of this, you mark my words. And when I do, I'll make you both pay."And just then, the police arrived. "Mr. Stewart, you're under arrest for assault and battery, as well as the attempted cover-up of domestic abuse." one of them stated, stepping forward to cuff his wrists. "Anything you say will be used against you in a court of law."As the officers led the still-raging Mr. Stewart out of the sanctuary, I finally allowed myself to b
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY FOUR
ELLA'S POVTrent's car raced down the streets, the looming structure of the bridge coming into view. My heart pounded with each passing second, the fear of being too late clawing at my chest.As Trent pulled up, I flung the door open, my legs pumping as I sprinted towards the bridge.I scanned the area, my breath coming in gasps. And then I saw her - Amelia, standing close to the edge, her gaze fixed on the rushing waters below. "Amelia!" I cried. "Please, don't do this!"She stiffened at the sound of my voice, and for a agonizing moment, I thought she might jump. But then she slowly turned, her red-rimmed eyes widening as they landed on me."Ella?" she breathed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What are you doing here?"I slowed my pace as I neared her. "Amelia, please. You have to step away from the edge. This isn't the answer, I promise.I ached to move closer, to wrap my arms around her and pull her to safety. But the haunted look in her eyes gave me pause."Don't come any close
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY FIVE
EIGHT YEARS AGOIt was a sunny afternoon in the Donovan's expensive backyard. The sound of dribbling basketball and the laughter of two teenage boys filled the air. Trent, aged 10, his face a mirror image of his twin brother Tom, maneuvered the ball between his legs, dodging his best friend's attempts to steal it. With a well-timed jump shot, the ball arced through the net, and his friend groaned."Man, you're too good at this," Damien complained, swiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm about ready to call it quits."Trent grinned, tossing the ball back to him. "What, giving up already? And here I thought you were supposed to be the star player."Damien rolled his eyes, twirling the ball on his finger. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in. I'm only the star because you allow me to be, you know."Trent's smile faded slightly, his gaze drifting towards the house where the faint sounds of raised voices could be heard. "I don't know, Dames. Dad's been on my case about basketball lately. Says it's a wast
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY SIX
TRENT'S POVElla took off, bolting out of Lydia's room before I could even call out to her. I stood there, momentarily frozen, wondering what could have upset her so. After a few minutes passed with no sign of her return, I decided to go search for her myself.I found Ella a short distance away, standing in front of an open hospital room door, her gaze fixed intently on something inside. Without a word, she stepped through the doorway, and I quickened my pace to catch up to her.As I entered the room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the figure lying motionless on the bed. My breath caught in my throat, all the color draining from my face."Tom?" I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper. But there was no response - my twin brother looked far worse than when I had last seen him at the other hospital. His face was gaunt, his skin a sickly pallor, and he seemed so much more lifeless than before."Tom, can you hear me?" I tried again, my fingers trembling as I approached the bed. But
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER NINETY SEVEN
ELLA'S POVAfter dropping Amelia off - no, more like she dropped me off, since Trent had decided to leave with his car to God knows where - I entered our small apartment and heard the sound of Mom in the kitchen. I dropped my bag, already feeling exhausted."Ella, is that you?" Mom's voice called out as she emerged from the kitchen. To my surprise, she was looking happier than I'd seen her in a long time, a bright smile on her face.I raised my brows at her. "You look happy. Any occasion?"She just beamed and closed the distance between us. "Come here, I have a surprise for you," she said, covering my eyes with her hands."A surprise?" I echoed as she guided me further into the kitchen."Close your eyes," she instructed, and I felt her hands slip away. The tantalizing aroma of my favorite foods - crisp bacon and fluffy pancakes - immediately assaulted my senses.When she gave me the okay to open my eyes, I found the counter laden with my favorite dishes, steam still rising from the fr
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A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE PART TWO - THE END
ELLA'S POV "Remember when Connor tried to ask out Jessica by serenading her in the cafeteria?" Liam grinned. "He sang so off-key, the lunch ladies thought a cat was dying in the kitchen!"We all burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the luxurious ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over our little group huddled around one of the many round tables. Large flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls played a slideshow of our high school memories.Connor's face turned beet red as he playfully shoved Liam. "Oh yeah? What about the time you accidentally set off the fire alarm trying to impress Dolly with your 'mad science skills'?"Dolly giggled, leaning into Liam's side. "I thought it was cute! Even if we did have to stand outside in the rain for an hour."I couldn't help but smile, taking a sip of my champagne. "God, we were such disasters back then. Remember the great cafeteria food fight of senior year?"Amelia snorted, nearl
A deal with the playboy EPILOGUE : PART ONE
FIVE YEARS LATERELLA'S POV The spotlight blazed down on me as I twirled across the stage, my body moving in perfect harmony with the music. As I neared the climax of my performance, I could feel the energy of the audience pulsing through the air.With one final leap, I landed in my ending pose, chest heaving and sweat on my skin. For a moment, there was silence. Then, like a dam bursting, the applause erupted. The sound washed over me that left me breathless.I straightened up, a wide smile spreading across my face as I took in the sea of faces before me. There, in the front row, sat some of the most respected names in dance. Critics, choreographers, fellow dancers - all on their feet, clapping and cheering.As I made my way off stage, I was immediately surrounded by a swarm of people. Hands reached out, voices called my name, all clamoring for a piece of my attention."Ella! Ella! Can I get your autograph?""Ms. Thompson, that performance was breathtaking!""Ella, when's your ne
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 198
ELLA'S POV The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Before I knew it, we were all outside, the summer sun beating down on our black gowns. I stood apart from the crowd, watching as my classmates tossed their caps into the air, their laughter and cheers filling the courtyard.I looked down at my own cap, running my fingers over the tassel. Then, with a deep breath, I flung it skyward, watching as it spun through the air before disappearing into the sea of black and gold.As I searched the crowd for my cap, a familiar voice called out behind me. "Ella! We did it!"I turned to see Susan racing towards me, her gown billowing behind her like a superhero's cape. She crashed into me, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug that nearly knocked us both over."Can you believe it? We're officially high school graduates!" Susan squealed, jumping up and down while still clinging to me.I couldn't help but laugh, her excitement infectious. "I know, it's crazy!"Amelia appeared at our side, her perfe
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 197
ELLA'S POV The guest speaker's voice droned on, barely penetrating the fog of my thoughts. I shifted in my plastic chair, my graduation gown suddenly feeling too tight. My eyes wandered across the sea of black caps, finally landing on a familiar pair of figures.Ryan and Susan sat a few rows ahead, their heads tilted towards each other in quiet conversation. A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched Ryan's hand slip into Susan's, their fingers intertwining. Thank God they finally worked things out. As if sensing my gaze, Susan turned, her eyes meeting mine. Her face lit up with a warm smile, mouthing a silent "Thank you" in my direction.I nodded back, genuinely happy for them both. But as I turned away, a familiar discomfort bloomed in my stomach. It started as a dull ache, quickly escalating into a churning sensation that made me grip the edges of my seat. I swallowed hard, willing the nausea to subside.This wasn't the first time. For the past two weeks, these waves had becom
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 196
ELLA'S POVThe summer sun beat down on us as we streamed out of the auditorium, a sea of black gowns and square caps. I squinted against the brightness, my hand instinctively reaching for Tom's. His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and comforting, yet not quite right.I forced a smile, trying to ignore the hollowness in my chest. "It's so awkward, right? Us being together like this."Tommy's eyes met mine. "We'll make it work, Ella. We have to."And we did, in a way. The past few months had been a whirlwind of pretending, of plastering on smiles and playing the part of the perfect couple. It was easier than facing the truth - that Trent was gone, possibly forever. The pity in people's eyes when they thought about 'poor Ella' was too much to bear. At least this way, I could pretend everything was normal.I'd thrown myself into the charade with a desperation that surprised even me. Late-night study sessions with Tommy, learning every detail of Trent's life. Practicing his mannerism
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 195
ELLA'S POV I placed my trembling hand in his, still stunned by his sudden appearance. As he led me to the front, my mind raced with questions. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, their excited whispers creating a noise around us.We glided across the floor, and I couldn't help but stare at Trent. He moved with such grace, showing no signs of the injuries that had kept him hospitalized. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.As we stepped onto the stage, the spotlight bathed us in its warm glow. Trent's eyes sparkled with an intensity I'd never seen before. Just as we were about to begin our dance, he dropped his crutches. I gasped, instinctively reaching out to steady him.But he didn't falter. Instead, he swept me into his arms with a flourish, spinning me around as if he'd never been injured at all. The crowd erupted in cheers, but their excitement felt distant, muffled by the doubt growing in my mind.As we swayed to the music, I studied his face closely. T
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 194
ELLA'S POVI stood before the mirror, my reflection staring back at me.The dress hugged my curves perfectly, its deep purple fabric shimmering in the light of my bedroom. My fingers traced the beadwork along the bodice, memories flooding back of the day Trent had bought it at the store."You're beautiful," I whispered to my reflection, trying to summon the confidence I once had. I smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle, remembering the day Lucinda had "accidentally" spilled punch on it at the couple's dance. It had taken three trips to the dry cleaner to remove the stain completely, but I didn't care. This dress was more than just fabric and thread; it was a symbol of everything Trent and I had been through.Let them stare, I thought defiantly. Let them whisper about how I'm wearing the same dress. This isn't about them. This is for Trent.As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I caught sight of Mr. Matthews in the living room. He was pacing back and forth, his fingers drumming nervo
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 193
ELLA'S POV"Ella!" Susan's arms wrapped around me like a vice. "We've been worried sick about you!" Her voice cracked, and I felt her shoulders shake. "It's been like walking through a ghost town without you here."I hesitated for a moment before returning her embrace, burying my face in her shoulder. The warmth of human contact after so long in isolation nearly overwhelmed me.As Susan pulled back, I caught sight of Amelia hovering a few feet away. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked down, her fingers twisting the hem of her sweater. The pain across her face made my chest tighten.Susan followed my gaze, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's been like that for days now, Ella. Ever since... well, you know." She bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I think she blames herself for what her dad did. She won't talk about it, but I can see it eating her up inside."I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This wasn't going to be easy, but I couldn't bear t
A deal with the playboy CHAPTER 192
ELLA'S POVI opened my eyes to another gray morning, the sunlight struggling to penetrate the heavy curtains I'd drawn weeks ago. The silence in my room was deafening, broken only by the occasional ping of my phone - another message I'd ignore. Everything wasn't okay. It hadn't been for weeks.Trent was still in the hospital, and I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty. The worst part? I didn't even know how he was faring. Some ridiculous ban on visits had been imposed, cutting me off from the one person I desperately needed to see.I dragged myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. My reflection in the mirror was a stranger - hollow-eyed and pale. I barely recognized myself anymore.For the umpteenth time, I found myself outside the Donovan mansion, my fists pounding against the imposing iron gates. "Please!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from overuse. "I just need to know if he's okay!"My cries echoed in the empty driveway, met only by the rustling of leaves. As always, th
