EllaIt's nine in the morning as I stand outside the extravagant entrance of the family mansion and my mom pulls up in a custom-paint-job metallic red Rolls-Royce. "Baby, what are you wearing? I told you we were going somewhere special today." I laugh as my mother complains, all in good nature. Apparently designer clothing isn't enough and she was expecting more than jeans, boots, and a cashmere sweater. Mom's always been like that. She's fond of big gestures and extravagant things, and it's not like our family doesn't have the money for it. For her it's a travesty that her daughter doesn't even have an expensive piece of jewelry or let alone a bag that's worth someone's monthly salary. She was particularly horrified to learn that George never spoiled me with presents. "Mom, you also said it was a family affair today, relax. I promise I'll bust out the gowns for a special occasion." "I'll hold you to that, Ella. Your birthday's coming up after all, and I want it to be pe
EllaI awaken to the bright light streaming into my room. I groan quietly as I sit up, rubbing at my eyes as my mind comes back into focus. It's not just morning, but the party my mother's been planning.I haven't necessarily been looking forward to this, but I know my mother is. After years of silence between us, the idea of throwing together a party for her daughter must bring her incredible joy. And it makes me feel... good.I bring myself out of bed and walk slowly to the mirror on the opposite wall. Do I look another year older? Because I don't feel it. I don't see the age change either. I take a deep breath as I watch my reflection copy me. I let the air out and nod."Let's get this day going," I tell myself in the mirror.I quickly dress, putting on a simple pair of jeans, a light blue cotton t-shirt and a pair of sneakers. Nothing fancy. Just Ella looking back at me."Are you awake, darling?" I hear January call out. She knocks on the door. "I have a surprise for you do
EllaTaylor and I get everything situated, and we return to the banquet hall together. Jessica and her mother are still whispering to one another about who I could possibly be, but I continue to ignore them. Taylor, however, gives me a perplexed look as if to ask me what the hell is going on.I give Taylor a shrug while she quickly steals a glance at the other two. I raise an eyebrow at her, but neither of us says anything. I'm honestly incredibly curious to see how Jessica will attempt to ask for my contact information later. It'll only take her so long to figure out I'm the woman who just divorced her brother, after all.Not only that, but the fact they don't even recognize me just proves they never gave a damn about me in the first place, just like she proved at the club. Good riddance to those terrible, pathetic women.As we're about to walk through to the banquet room again, I hear another voice call out."Ella!" I turn on my heels to see my best friend approaching me w
Ella"Kingston Reina," someone murmurs near me. "The financial tycoon?" another person asks quietly.The room is split on what exactly is going on, and I turn my head to follow the trail of conversation. However, it's quickly stifled by my father's voice again."I'm only going to ask one more time," Kingston Reina demands of the crowd that has formed, silencing those around us. "Who the fuck is spreading lies about my family during my daughter's goddamn birthday?"It is unlike my father to swear, so I know he must be furious.Jessica, who has since been released by the security guard, marches straight up to my father without any shame. She must seriously have a death wish if she's approaching him with this much gusto."That WOMAN," she sneers, jabbing a finger in my direction, "has stolen from the Wickham family! She isn't even clever in hiding her crimes! I should have known she'd do something this pathetic and vindictive; obviously, she's a fake and has been hiding the trut
JessicaI'm seething in rage as I leave the room, my mother following me all quiet. And why wouldn't she be when we were publicly embarrassed because of that–that woman! The only good thing is that most people are in the banquet hall instead of hanging around one of the dressing rooms but too many still saw what went down. That is MY mother's necklace, I know it! George had that custom made for her and she wouldn't sell it. Especially not to that haughty thing!I don't know who she is but she is obviously someone if Kingston Reina of all people defended her. She looks like George's ex, but there is no way some orphan trash like her would ever be able to afford to step into that store let alone look at it!That woman... no, she couldn't be Ella, I refuse to believe it! It was just a look-alike, an irritating, smug bitch of a look-alike sharing her name, but just a look-alike. Nothing–nothing more than that.Besides, take me to court?! Ha! My brother is the best in the busine
EllaInheriting the company and everything that belongs to the Reina name is a big responsibility, one that our parents have been talking about our whole lives. Vinny and I are technically the only heirs to the family fortune and family company, so we have come to expect something like this, but it is a lot of responsibility. Back then, we were both more focused on doing our own thing and living our own lives, and our parents had been fine with that. Vinny had his mechanical engineering business and his movie studio, and I had my doctorate. Now that our parents are getting older, they're looking to retire, to have someone they trust to hand everything over to, so we all talked about it as a family. Me inheriting everything was the culmination of a talk that went on for almost a month. Vinny has his own accounts and his own salary that won't run dry anytime soon, and if he ever needs more all we have to do is call the bank to facilitate the transfer. As for me, while I'm go
GeorgeMy eyes are wide as I look at the woman who spoke. It feels like the hospital all over again, because how is this Ella, my ex-wife? When she'd been there at the hospital, coming out of the OR after performing a surgery of all things, I found out she's not just a practicing doctor but a surgeon.At the hospital, confronting me, she looked confident and composed, as if nothing could affect her, proud in the way someone could only be when they knew they were good at what they did. She has that same look now. She is still confident, but now it isn't because of her work or her degrees. She stands in the banquet hall as the center of attention effortlessly, dressed to the nines, gems glittering around her throat and highlighting the bright color of her eyes. She looks gorgeous; she also looks angry and it takes a moment for me to register her words. "Don't forget, the reason we got a divorce isn't because of being incompatible as lovers let alone partners, but because of y
EllaAs I go through the house to put together my bag for the day, Entertainment Daily rambles on in the background. I grab the breakfast that had been made for me and take another bite, wondering where I left my laptop."And, in other news, ED received a link to a video posted on social media. We've been given permission to play it here, but viewer discretion is advised."I'm barely listening to the news source, but that changes when I hear a new voice coming from the TV."That WOMAN has stolen from the Wickham family! She isn't even clever in hiding her crimes! I should have known she'd do something this pathetic and vindictive; obviously, she's a fake and has been hiding the truth the whole time."I whirl around and face the screen, Jessica's outburst from my birthday filling up the room. My eyebrows rise as my eyes move around the screen. I see that the cellphone footage was filmed from behind a few people, meaning whoever made the video was well hidden during the entire eve
Ella I scowl down at my phone, silently scoffing. I'm not George's any longer and he has no say about what I do nor a right to my time.So what if things didn't work out with his secretary? I'm not some rebound for him and I'm not with him.I don't understand what I have to do for George to actually come to terms with that, seeing as he still won't leave me alone despite how clear I made my feelings.Maybe it's time for a restraining order."Ella—Ella!"I sigh heavily, going to hang up before the phone is gently pulled from my hands, and I look up in surprise to see Vinny who gives me a smirk before bringing the phone up to his ear."Mr. Wickham! Hello, I'd say it's a pleasure but judging from my dear sister's expression, it hasn't been."Damn. Right for the throat immediately, his cheerful tone doing nothing to hide the venom inside of it."Who is this?""Oh, right, we've never been formally introduced. Vinny Reina, Ella's older brother. I've heard your conversation a bit
EllaWith Rachel by my side, we walk in sync around the shopping mall. We're laughing about a joke she's just told. It feels right being here with my best friend."So, which dress are you considering for the banquet?" Rachel questions, pointing down at the bags in my hands."Haven't decided yet. There's still one boutique I'm interested in going to," I explain, nodding in the direction of the store."Ahh, is this to impress Mr. Martins?" she asks in a knowing way. Rachel's face dances with mischief. I know she only wishes to extract the information from me, and I laugh again."No need to impress him." I toss my hair to the side, my newly manicured red nails flashing in the corner of my eyes. "He's already smitten.""Is that good or bad?" Rachel taunts."Honestly? I don't know."We arrive at the boutique I mentioned, a small store in the middle of the shopping mall that caters to those with a higher caliber of wallet. Rachel immediately beelines for a group of black dresses near
GeorgeArriving at the hospital, I get directions to where Charlotte resides. Not only do I feel several pairs of eyes on my person, but I also hear the whispers."Mr. Wickham is here," one person murmurs."Are the rumors true then?" another asks.God, do these people have nothing better to do other than gossip? I don't wish to be here, and now I must hear the things people speak under their breath.Charlotte truly doesn't seem to understand the situation she's compromised herself into.I find her room with ease, seeing her messing around with her phone."Charlotte."I keep my voice even, though a bitter bite does slip its way through. I narrow my eyes at the woman who continues to spread false information about me.For her part, Charlotte whips her head around to see me, looking almost surprised at my appearance. Why, though, would she be surprised when she's the one who called upon me?"I didn't actually expect you to show," she says quietly."Yet here I stand," I deadpan.
GeorgeAs I let my gaze fall on Ella, I notice she wears her evening dress confidently. It's strange, seeing as I cannot fathom the life she hid from me in our marriage. But as she stands there, hands on her hips, I can't help myself from making a smart remark."Finally going on that date with Elijah, then?" I quip, a sharp bite in my words. I let my arms cross over my chest as I watch her.Ella merely rolls her eyes at me, seemingly dismissing me altogether."I rushed here to see YOUR grandmother, seeing as she's grown ill. There was no time to change out of my outfit."As cruel as my words intended to be, she somehow one-ups me with ease. My mind swims with possible retorts, wanting to make my intentions clear but not appear desperate for her eyes to remain on mine.A mixed bag of emotions seeps into my skin, prickling as it moves across my body so fast, I don't have a moment to breathe. "You took Ella for granted during your marriage," a voice sneers in the back of my head.
GeorgeWatching Grandmother practically have a fit over Charlotte's presence is not how I want to spend my afternoon, but it's not like I can just leave when someone has to be responsible. "Grandmother, please. Charlotte is here as just a friend, nothing more," I sigh and she scoffs loudly, pointing a bony finger judgingly at Charlotte. "You are BLIND! When will you learn?!" "Grandma Anna, I know we haven't always gotten along but George is telling the truth. As his friend I should at least give you my well wishes, shouldn't I? You've been in and out of the hospital so much recently!" "I want none of your wishes, well or not! I could be dying and I wouldn't want you here!" "Grandmother!" Jessica gasps. "Don't say something like that!" "And you! Have you no shame, Jessica? Befriending that gold digger and pushing your brother towards her?" "Mrs. Wickham, please, your heart," one of the nurses says helplessly but finally, grandmother huffs and gives in, leaning back agai
GeorgeAnother late night turns into an early morning. Ever since the divorce my work hours have been... tumultuous. Sometimes I end up staying late into the evening to finish my work or try to at least. Then I wake up early and return to the office early to attempt to finish that work. Unfortunately, I am off my game. It isn't as easy as it used to be and I know why. I'm distracted. Usually I wouldn't be stuck in my head like this, but there is a lot to think about. I'm sitting in my office, having gotten in early, finishing up some casework and looking through the morning news when a new article is posted. It's really just gossip and drivel from the news companies but the photo catches my eye. Ella is standing next to Elijah, the pair looking nothing short of perfect together. All smiles and warm gazes, the photo perfectly captures how well they go together. They truly do seem like a perfect couple, and the article gushes about it too, how Ms. Reina and Mr. Martins are
EllaThe staff party is going to be held off site, with the staff given the week off afterwards as a gift to them. As much as they told me they enjoyed their job, having a party at their place of work just meant that THEY would have to set everything up and clean everything up which was counterintuitive to celebrating them. I chose a lovely location at a private venue at the Rosalin Hotel. Their banquet area is exquisite and they offer five course meals to large parties, which will be a true treat for everyone. Or, well, it would be, once we decide on the menu. I am currently in the test kitchen of the Rosalin Hotel. Normally people aren't allowed back there, but they made an exception since I am such a high profile client. "And I'm telling you that the foie gras appetizer will be served on a crostini with caramelized apple confit and balsamic reduction! We have given you options for the menu already!" Head Chef John argues.I sigh, looking at the dish. The dish itself is
Ella"Uncle Conrad," I say plainly, remaining polite to the older man. "How are you?"I watch my uncle, a few years younger than my father, waffle in uncertainty at my entrance. He clearly wasn't expecting to be met with kindness. That much is obvious. I revel in his reaction. "Uh, uh," Conrad stutters. His son stands up, his head swinging wildly between all of us. He becomes slack-jawed, and I let myself laugh, but only inwardly."I would love to discuss some things with you if that's all right. You are, after all, in my home without me." Conrad's spine straightens, and he knows he's been caught with his tail between his legs.Kingston's eyes brighten, and I can tell he's doing his best to keep his snickers to himself."I want to make it exceedingly clear: there are valid reasons behind my decision to fire certain hospital staff members. I assure you there were no hastily made choices. Each time I did what I did, I did it for the good of the hospital. I want it to be very clear
EllaI can't help it. I begin to chuckle into my hand, and Rachel quickly follows. We snicker like schoolgirls as my best friend recounts to me what happened before she arrived."Real police officers, Ella! They passed right by me while I was wearing this fake uniform!" she says between her laughter. "That is incredibly ironic," I counter. "Can you imagine if they'd asked for your identification or even if you were answering a call?"She shakes her head, carefully wiping away a stray tear under her dark blue eyes so as not to ruin her perfect makeup. "Well, if one of them had asked me out, then maybe I'd have kept the charade going."I scrunch my face into a tighter smile, amused. "Oh? Man or woman?""Either one is fine with me," she shrugs. "The blonde female definitely had me turning my head."I allow myself to laugh harder, grateful for the best friend I have in Rachel. "Besides," Rachel states, flipping her hair away from her, "I look perfect.""Yes, but the problem was