Page 76 of Tangled Trust

Afraid of what? I don’t understand. Talk to me, Ella.

I’m drawing on all my powers of persuasion and compassion now. If I’m going to get her back, I have to convince Ella that she's safe with me. I have to let her know how much I want her. I can’t drop the ball now.

Things can’t be the same when I come back. We can’t be the same.

I have no idea what she means. I’ve never treated anyone as well as I treated Ella. I love this woman with all my heart. What more does she want? I’m not going to grovel! I’d rather hunt her down like a dog and drag her back by the hair before I humiliate myself like that. This woman is pushing her luck.

I love you, Ella. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you, and I’ll always love you. Please, tell me where you are. I’ll come and meet you wherever you are. You’ll see. We belong together. There will never be anyone like me in your life. There will never be a better us. Come home to me, my love. I forgive you for hurting me by running away. We’ll put it all behind us and start over. I promise.

Come on, bitch. I’m not going to sweet-talk you any more than this. You’d better tell me where you are.

Let me sleep on it. I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Ella must have done a number on this guy. He sounds so pathetic, I almost feel sorry for him. I dare not give in too quickly, though. I’ll string him along for a day or two and then tell him where to find his precious Ella.

What I wouldn’t do to see the look on her face when she opens the door and finds the man she ran away from standing there. Oh, the delicious payback.

You thought you’d simply swoop in and steal my man out from under my nose, did you? You’ve underestimated me, Ella Parker. You’ll get what’s coming to you. A reckoning is coming, bitch, and I can’t wait to give you what you deserve.

Let’s see what Carter thinks of you when he finds out you’ve been lying to him. But don’t worry. I’ll be there to pick up the pieces of his broken heart. I made him love me once, and I can do it again. You and your baby can go back to England, where you belong.

I’ll take care of my Carter. He’ll see that there’s no one who loves him more than I do. We’ll be a family again, and this time I won't ruin it by allowing my childhood fears to conquer me.

It’s all your fault, Mother. You made me weak. You made me give up on the one person who has always loved me. Ella’s affections may temporarily blind Carter, but he’ll see that I’m the one who deserves his love. Look at what I’ve done for him. If that’s not love, then what is?

22

ELLA

I’m on top of the world! My morning sickness has subsided and my energy levels have returned, so it’s back to chasing after Jagger at home and being chased around the bedroom by Carter. What can I say? Life is good.

Carter and I have told family and friends about our relationship and the pregnancy. The cat was pretty much out of the bag, as it were, once Amanda found out, so there is no point in hiding it any longer. I’ll start showing soon, in any event.

My conversation with Aunt Sue went like this.

"Hi, Ella. How are you, my darling?"

"Hi, there. Very well, thanks. How have you been? I’m sure you must be relieved that summer is on its way."

"And how. The old bones creek a little more with each passing year, and my bum knee pops and crackles when it's cold. How’s California? I bet they know nothing of the cold."

"It’s all sunshine and palm trees over here," I chuckled.

"How’s work?"

"Good."

"Still living the dream?"

"And then some. I’m calling with some news."

"Oh?"

"Yup. Guess who has a steady boyfriend now?"

"Oh, so you’ve made it official, have you?"

"And how," I’d said, wondering how Sue would react.

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