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
EllaThe dim lights of the police station buzz in my ears as I sit across from two detectives. I shiver from the cool air wafting into the room while my head rattles with countless thoughts."Mrs. Wickham, did you hear my question?" the female detective asks, returning me to the present situation. "Sorry, no," I admit."What caused the accident? Did someone walk in front of the car? Did Miss Deluca miss something? Or were you perhaps the distraction?"I've done nothing wrong, yet these two detectives continue to question me as though I'm the culprit and criminal. I was in the back seat of the car when the accident happened. "No. I don't know what happened."The two make eye contact with one another, and I can see a conversation pass between them in silence. The male detective sighs, and the two stand. "We're going to keep you here overnight."I sit up straight. "But I did nothing wrong!" I insist, hating myself for raising my voice. "You should be going to ask Miss Deluca
Ella"Why didn't you answer your phone?" I ask. Maybe it's the stress that has pushed my body to this point, or I feel uncomfortable, but whatever it is, I just rip his hand away from me. Maybe it's from the cold at the police station or something, but my head is really hurting. "What?" he asks arrogantly.I try to speak up but my throat is scratchy and dry. "I called you multiple times."He furrows his thin brows at me, turning his head to the side. "I was unaware of your calls, Ella. And anyway, I don't have to explain myself to you," he snaps back.I struggle to speak, unable to shake myself of the words he'd spat into the phone while at the hospital: "You should be ashamed of yourself. You're an adult. Act like it."I hold back a little moan at the cool touch of his palm, trying not to lean into it. Despite everything, even though George cheated on me with Charlotte, even after three years of neglect I still love him. It's stupid. It's a bit pathetic how hopeless I
EllaDisoriented and groggy, I sit up in my bed from the nightmare I've been having. I take a few deep breaths, looking around the guest room as I take in my surroundings. I calm myself slowly, memories of the previous days blurring together.I'm at Rachel's house. George has chosen another woman over his bride. Charlotte is... pregnant.Those words shoot through my veins like an ice storm. A chill shivers down my spine, and I find myself shaking. "Bastard."It's the word that gets me up, but a piercing headache and sudden sweats knock me back.I feel my forehead. God, is that a fever? Maybe that's why I feel so shitty.It takes me another ten minutes to stand. I wrap a light blanket around my shoulders as I head for the kitchen to see my best friend. "Morning, Ella. You still look like shit." Rachel is perfectly coiffed this morning, like always. Her ponytail is already tied up tight, and those signature black heels boost her up to give her the perfect shape. It's a wo
EllaAs I stand in George's office, I reflect on the beginning of our marriage. I remember times when I used to bring in lunches for my husband due to his picky tastes. I've never been a genius in the kitchen, but I learned to cook for him. It's a valuable skill that I am still quite happy to have discovered. I remember dressing modestly and being kind to Mrs. Cates.Honestly, I wanted her to like me back then. But the more I came to the office, the more I watched the woman's demeanor change. She started out smiling at me, and as time went on, she became as distant and uncaring as the man in my life.I scoff to myself as I cross my arms in front of my chest. This woman is no longer someone I'm afraid of. I'm not a maid. I'm not just a housewife. I'm Ella Wickham.No. I'm Ella Reina. That's who I was before this marriage. And that's who I'll be once more."Wait a minute, Ma'am, there's no appointment in the books for you; you can't be here without one."I turn sideways t
EllaI open my eyes, wincing at the bright light shining into the room. It's been a long time since I've been in this place, and the luxurious room brings back memories.My mother, January Reina, sits down on the bed before I've really woken up, throwing her arms around me and bursting into tears. "Oh, my girl! My beautiful baby girl!"Memories of last night are slowly starting to return to me. As powerful and life-changing as my meeting with George was yesterday, my fever just got worse. Thankfully, I called my mom before I collapsed in the lobby of the building.She brought me back to my childhood home in New York. She put me to bed and gave me medicine. Now, I can tell my fever broke through the night. Mother sometimes really does know best."How are you feeling? Are you okay?" she coos, pulling away as she takes in the sight of me. She pushes strands of my brown hair behind my ears as though I'm a child once again. It doesn't feel wrong or bad to hear her speak like this. I'
EllaI arrive early at the courthouse on the day of our divorce proceedings. Dressed in a business suit, I am prepared to have an air of importance about myself. The time spent with my family has allowed me to feel better and look better. I have better posture and I'm more confident. Heads turn toward me as I walk down the street, my bold outfit and red fingernails attracting attention.As I sit waiting for our lawyers, I notice that the usually punctual George is running late.Fifteen minutes after the hour, George finally shows up looking disgruntled. I find it intriguing to see George out of his element and clearly frustrated. "Ella." He says it like there's punctuation in the air. "George." I return the energy, straightening my shoulders to appear taller and more in control. The truth is, I AM in control here. I'm the one who finally took the plunge. I'm the one who made my feelings, emotions, pain, all of it visible."George and Ella?" a voice calls into the lobby. We
George"Make sure she receives it, will you?" Those are the last words Ella utters to me as she hails a taxi. I watch her walk away, a new confidence in her I've never witnessed. How is she so different yet very much the woman I married? Her shiny brown hair cascades perfectly around her figure, and she moves purposefully. I reach out for her and try to open my mouth to speak her name. Where is she going? How is she going to manage without my money or influence?But that's the problem, isn't it? Clearly, those weren't nearly enough for Ella.My eyes open slowly to the dark apartment I now live in alone. As I wake, my expression and my body start to grow cold. It was but a dream, yet I'm still living the nightmare of being alone.I furrow my brow as I slowly sit up, aches stiffening my back as I do. Tension in the shoulders once again. It's been happening more frequently this past week, even though I've always struggled not to hold every piece of stress between my shoulders.