Page 85 of Tangled Trust

"Hell, no. Wait, scratch that. Yes, I am. But not at you. I’m mad at the man who made your life hell. If I ever had the displeasure of meeting him in the street, I’d be compelled to kick the snot out of him. Who is he? If you don’t mind me asking, of course."

A lone tear rolls down my cheek. I’ve been so terribly worried that my secret would destroy my relationship with Carter that the relief of it all pours out of me.

"Oh, my love. Don’t cry. It’s going to be alright. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I promise," Carter whispers, holding me in his strong arms. "We don't have to talk about him if you don’t want to."

"Thank you, Carter. I love you. I’m sorry I lied to you."

"I understand, Ella. You did what you had to to be safe. We’ll talk about him another day. Tonight we’ll celebrate our love," he says tenderly before he kisses me.

"I love you, Ella," Carter whispers in my ear while he unbuttons my shirt.

"I love you, too, Carter. So much."

"We’re starting our own family soon. Our love will heal all your heartache. Just like your love for me has healed mine."

I’m so blessed to have met this man. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to tell him the truth. I melt into his arms as we make love. I’m finally in the place I’ve always dreamed of being. A man who loves me, a baby on the way, and more importantly than anything else, true love and kindness.

24

AMANDA

I’ve been talking to Sebastian for a few weeks now. He was practically begging me for my address the last time we texted, or more to the point, for Ella’s address. I finallyrelentedand gave it to him.

My plan is progressing even better than expected. Ella’s ex is flying into LA tomorrow and booking into a hotel. All I have to do now is to call Ella and arrange a luncheon at my beach house. Tomorrow morning ‘Ella’ will text Sebastian and tell him to meet her at my beach house.

All that’s left for me to do is to call and invite Ella to lunch. It’s a perfect trap.

I call her around 12 p.m. when I’m sure she won’t be busy with Jagger.

“Hello, Ella speaking.”

“Hi, Ella. It’s Amanda.”

I hate being so sweet to her. But, there’s a method to my madness so I keep my tone upbeat.

“I’d love it if you would join me for lunch tomorrow. Are you free?”

“Uhm…”

“Please. I’d love to get to know you better.”

“Sure.”

“Excellent. I’ll send you a pin location. Shall we say around 12:15?”

“Okay. I’ll see you then.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it. Bye.”

The last part is true. I am looking forward to it. I look forward to Sebastian talking some sense into Ella. He clearly loves her very much from what I have gathered from the texts. She'd be a fool to give up such love and dedication.

Your place is in England with Sebastian, Ella.Carter will soon forget about you. He still loves me. I know he does. Once you’re out of the way and he’s out from under your bewitchment he’ll see that he and I belong together.

Tomorrow can't come soon enough.

* * *

LA is something else. It’s a damn sight brighter out here than in London at the moment, and I don’t just mean the weather. I’ve forgotten how free it feels. The streets are filled with scantily clad women walking their quaffed dogs, rollerbladers cross-crossing the boulevards, and expensive toys, driven by spoiled rich kids. La La Land indeed.

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