Page 84 of Tangled Trust

"Yeah, I’m feeling the chill tonight."

"Are you alright, Jones?"

"Not really. There’s something I need to talk to you about."

"Sounds serious."

"It is."

Carter develops a frown line between his eyes.

This is it, Ella. It’s now or never.

"Okay. I’m listening. What’s on your mind, babe?"

This is so hard.

"I haven’t been completely honest about why I moved to California," I start.

"Okay," Carter says lovingly, encouraging me to go on.

"Please don’t say anything until I’m finished, or I’ll lose my nerve."

"Alright."

"Thank you. Here goes. I came here to get away from someone. A boyfriend. He was abusive, and I’d had enough. I needed a change, so I decided to move away from London."

Carter doesn’t say anything, but so far he looks like he isn’t too bothered by my admission. Encouraged, I carry on.

"My name isn’t Ella Jones. It’s Ella Parker. I’m so sorry I lied to you, Carter, but I had no idea that we’d fall in love. There was no reason to tell you before now. But it’s been weighing on me."

"May I say something?" Carter asks.

"Sure."

"I don’t care what your name is, Ella. Jones or Parker, it means nothing to me. It doesn’t change how I feel about you."

"Oh, Carter. Thank you. But there’s one more thing."

"You’re not going to tell me that you used to be a man, are you," he grins.

"The pregnancy should answer that question," I say pensively.

"Good. Because I gotta tell you. That’s a bit of a game changer."

"No, it’s nothing too dramatic. I’m a doctor."

"A medical doctor?"

"Yes. Ella Parker, MD."

"Okay, so far, I’m not too stressed. In fact, it makes perfect sense now."

"What does?"

"Not to be disrespectful to Au Pairs, but I’ve always felt you could be more. I’m not at all surprised that you’re a doctor, Jo…I mean, Parker. You’re a smart cookie."

"So, you’re not mad?"

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