Chapter 4

Sofia's Point of View

It was four-fifty, and I was waiting for Ella to come and pick me up. I told her to call me once she got here, and I would come outside to meet her. I barely got any sleep because of how cold it was the night before. I kept waking up. 

Suddenly, I heard the door open. I walked out of my room to see my mom and her boyfriend walk inside. I wondered what they were doing here. My mom said she would be staying at his house. 

"Sof," My mom said and then she looked at me. "There you are. We need to talk," My mom said. Then, there was a knock on the door causing me to worry. That couldn't be Ella. I told her to message me and I would meet her outside. 

My mom opened the door, and sure enough, Ella was standing on the other side. 

"Who are you?" My mom asked. 

"Hello, My name is Ella. I am here to pick up Sofia," Ella said as I walked over to where Ella and my mom were standing. 

"Oh, I didn't know Sofia had any friends," My mom said

"I am ready to go, Ella. I will see you later, Mom," I said 

"Hold on. I told you we needed to talk," my mom said

"Okay, Ella, you can go to the car, and I will be out in a minute," I said. Ella looked at me for a moment before replying,

"Okay, I will be waiting in the car," Ella said

"It won't take that long," my mom said, and she closed the door. 

"What do we have to talk about?" I asked. 

"Look, I am just going to get to the point. Max has asked me to marry him, and I said yes," My mom said, shocking me. She barely knew the man, but she was ready to marry him. 

"You are getting married?" I asked

"Yes, and I will be moving in with him." My mom said

"We are moving in with him," I said shocked

"No, not we, me," My mom said, and I was silent. 

"Oh," I said. 

"I would take you if I could, but Max doesn't want you there. He didn't sign up to by your stepfather, so you can't come," My mom said. I just stood there silently. I didn't know what to say to her. "The rent is paid up for two months because of the assistance I got a few months ago, so you can stay here. You will have to pay to get the gas cut back on, and you will have to pay all of the bills from now on. I don't have the money to help, and Max said he didn't want to help, so you will have to figure it out," My mom said. Still, I just stay silent. 

"Look, you have always been mature. You are almost eighteen, so you are basically an adult. You will be fine," My mom said

" I don't have time for this shit. I am going to the car. Hurry up, Tina," Max said, and then he walked out of the door. 

"Well, I should go," My mom said, and she started walking to the door. 

"How could you? I said, causing my mom to look at me.

"What," my mom asked

"How could you do this? I am your daughter, and you are just going to abandon me," I said

"Look, you are almost eighteen, like I said. You are basically an adult now. I have done all that I can for you. I am not going to lose Max the same way I lost your father," My mom said. I just looked at her. I wish I could say I was shocked, but I wasn't. My mom never cared about me. She never put me first. I am honestly shocked she didn't leave me a long time ago. 

"I have to go. Take care of yourself," My mom said, and then she walked out of the house. As soon as she was gone, I couldn't help the tears that escaped my eyes. What was I going to do now? I sat on the couch and cried. 

I heard the front door open and saw Ella walk into the house. I quickly wipe my tears away, not wanting her to see them. 

"Is everything alright?" Ella said as I got off the couch 

"Yeah, everything is fine. I am ready to go now," I said. I grabbed my phone and my purse, and we walked out of the door. The ride to Ella's house was mostly silent. I had so much on my mind. I honestly didn't feel like going to the party, but Ella had already driven the hour's drive to my house, so I went. 

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem to be deep in thought," Ella said

"Yeah, I am fine," I replied. 

Fifty minutes into the drive, Ella turned on a road that seemed to be in the woods. All I could see were trees. I was shocked she knew where we were going because all I saw were trees. Twenty minutes later, there was a huge gate that said The Eclipse Pack Territory. I could see five men standing there, and I knew they were guarding it. 

As we got closer to the gate, it started to open. Ella waved at the guards, and they waved back at her as she drove through the gate. I looked out the window as we passed houses, a grocery store, and a park. After about ten minutes, Ella turned into a driveway, and I was shocked at what I saw.

"This is your house?" I asked

"Yep," Ella said. It was not really a house. It was more like a castle. 

"Sof, there is something I need to tell you before we go inside," Ella said

"What is it?" I asked

"I didn't go back to my car when you were talking to your mother. I heard the whole conversation," Ella said. I could tell she was worried about me by her facial expression.

"Ella, I don't want you to worry about me. I will be fine. Everything will be okay," I said

"You need to let me help you, Sof. You can't stay in that house by yourself you are only seventeen. Plus, I heard what your mom said about there being no head in your house. You must have been freezing cold last night. You need to let my parents help you," Ella said

"I can't do that, Ella. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. We need to keep this between you and me," I said

"I already told them," Ella said, looking guilty

"What," I asked 

"I already told them, and they want you to move here with us. They couldn't believe it when I told them what your mom did. You know they really like you, especially my mom," Ella said

"I can't stay here," I said

"Why," Ella asked

"I don't want to impose, and your brother hates me," I replied

"He doesn't hate you, Sof," Ella said, and I just looked at her, and she sighed. "I know he has been acting like he hates you, but trust me, he doesn't," Ella said

"Well, he sure acts like he hates me," I replied

"That is because Ethan is stupid, but I have a feeling that everything is about to change. Just think about staying here with us, okay, Sof?" Ella said with a smile on her face.

"Okay, I will think about it," I replied.

"Good, now, Come on. Let's get ready in my room so we can go and celebrate my birthday," Ella said

"But I am already ready," I replied

"I have a dress for you to wear," Ella said 

"A dress," I asked. I didn't wear dresses that much. I was more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.

"Yes, and you can't tell me no today. After all, it is my birthday," Ella added. I sighed in defeat as we got out of the car and headed into the mansion.

"What is she doing here?" Ella and I looked up to see Jane walking toward us, and I frowned. She was the last person I wanted to see

"Not that it's any of your business. Sof is here because I invited her. She is my best friend," Ella said

"Ethan isn't going to like this. She doesn't belong here," Jane said

"That's what you think, but I know that she does belong here," Ella replied

"Whatever. I don't have time for this," Jane said, and she walked away.

"Don't mind her, Sof. She's been in a bad mood all day," Ella said

"Why," I asked

"Let's just say things didn't go the way she thought they would this morning," Ella said, and I just looked at her, confused. Come on. Let's go to my room. I will give you a tour of the house later," Ella said, and we headed to Ella's room.