Page 103 of Tangled Trust

"Thank God. It’s overrated. What’s the news on Sebastian and Amanda?"

"I think your ex had better get comfy where he is. The cops are planning on throwing the book at him."

"I’m sure if they do a little digging, they’ll find other ex-girlfriends he’s used as punching bags too."

"I’m so sorry, Ella."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I should have taken you more seriously when you told me about Sebastian’s abusive nature. I can kick myself for letting you go out there without protection. And, Amanda! Well, I have no excuse for her."

"She sure blindsided us, didn’t she? I should have trusted my instincts. What’s her story?"

"I haven’t spoken to her since she confessed to luring your ex here to LA. She kept telling the cops that she didn’t mean for you to get hurt. Honestly, I don’t know what to believe anymore."

"Sebastian is very charming and manipulative. Not even Amanda stood a chance."

"She’s facing all sorts of charges now. She’s in deep shit."

"Carter, I don’t want to press charges against her," I say, to his obvious surprise.

"What? Amanda almost got you killed. She deserves to be punished."

"No, Carter. Think about what this will do to Jagger. He doesn't understand adult thinking and motives yet. All he’ll see is that his Daddy didn’t care enough to keep him united with his mother."

"You’re even more amazing than I could ever have imagined, my love. Alright. If you don’t want to press charges, then we won’t. But stay away from her from now on."

"I think Amanda’s learned her lesson, babe. I don’t see her interfering in our relationship again. Not after she came so close to losing her freedom."

"I love you, Ella Parker, MD," Carter says, kissing me very gently on my split lips.

"I love you too."

* * *

Yesterday was, hands down, the worst day of my life. I was sure that the cops would lock me up and throw me away. I kept waiting for the detective to come back and read me my rights before cuffing me and taking me to a holding cell.

But it didn’t happen. The backlash of fury I expected never came. Instead, the cops let me go and told me not to leave town. Anderson said he’d be in touch.

So, here I am now, sitting on the couch in the living room, waiting to hear what fate has in store for me.

Mother called. She said she heard from a friend that Carter was on the news. She wanted to know if I knew what was happening.

To my shock, she was lucid and perfectly sober. A first for me. I was so taken aback that I found it difficult to hold a conversation.

In all the years I needed my mother, she never once made me feel like I could count on her for anything. Now that my life is falling apart, she wants to swoop in and make it all better. I’m furious with her. I don’t know if I even want a relationship with her after the crappy mother she’s been all these years.

And what do you think Jagger will say when he finds out what HIS mother has done? Be careful not to judge too quickly, Amanda!

Why does the voice of reason have to be so cruel?

The phone rings and I jump. My palms are instantly clammy.

"Hello."

"Amanda, it’s Carter."

I don’t know what to say to this man. I take it that he knows about my betrayal by now.

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