LOGINChapter TenUnapologetic(Hayes’s POV)Ella stepped into the penthouse, shoulders tight, cheeks flushed, hand still faintly red from where she hit Vanessa Moretti.I had already seen the video.Every angle.Every slow-motion replay.Every comment thread praising her or attacking her.I’d watched it all with a rage that had my jaw aching.She looked at me now like she expected me to start yelling.Instead, I took one step toward her.Before I could speak, she blurted, “I’m sorry.”I froze. “For what?”“For causing a scene,” she said quickly. “For embarrassing you. For putting you in the spotlight with something you didn’t ask for. I know Vanessa is—”“Ella.”She didn’t stop.“—and I’m sorry that I—”“Ella.”But she kept going, voice shaking but stubborn. “—and I swear I didn’t go there intending to hit her. I just… I snapped. I’ve put up with her for years, and I’m so tired of pretending she didn’t treat me like garbage. But I’m sorry. I know this affects you too and—”“Ella.”I steppe
Chapter NineAftershocks(Ella’s POV)The crack of my hand across Vanessa Moretti’s face still echoed in the boutique.For a second, no one moved.The saleswoman’s eyes were wide. Another employee froze mid step, holding a velvet tray with diamond earrings. A couple near the back pretended to look at watches while obviously watching everything.Vanessa slowly turned her head back to me, one manicured hand flying to her cheek.“You,” she whispered, voice trembling with fury, “just struck me.”My palm stung. “You called me a slut.”She sucked in a sharp breath. “I am going to own this place by the time I am finished with you.”She spun toward the nearest employee. “Call security. Now. I want her removed and arrested for assault.”The saleswoman looked between us, visibly torn. “Mrs. Moretti, perhaps we should all take a breath.”Vanessa snapped, “Do you know who I am?”“Yes,” the woman said calmly. “I also know who she is.”Her gaze flicked to me with something like sympathy.My heartbe
Chapter EightDiamonds and Warnings(Ella’s POV)I woke the next morning to sunlight filling the penthouse and absolute silence.There were no footsteps.Just quiet.I pushed the blanket off and sat up slowly, still adjusting to the fact that this wasn’t my apartment… and I wasn’t alone in my life anymore. When I walked into the main living space, something on the counter caught my eye.A note.In neat handwriting I didn’t expect from a man as large and grouchy as Hayes.Ella,Had an early meeting. Didn’t want to wake you.Driver is downstairs for you.Black card is on the counter.Turn the penthouse into your dream home.Spend my money, Wifey.— HI stared at the card.Then the word wifey.My stupid heart fluttered like it had absolutely no discipline at all.I pressed the note flat on the counter, trying not to smile. “Okay. That’s… inappropriate,” I muttered to myself. “Totally inappropriate.”I was not supposed to be feeling anything for him. I was supposed to be recovering from t
Chapter 7 The Flynn's(Ella’s POV)Hayes didn’t warn me before we arrived at his family’s estate.The long driveway curved through forest and opened into a bright clearing with a large stone house wrapped in warm light. It didn’t feel like the cold, echoing mansions Lucas’s parents hosted parties in. This house looked lived in. Loved. Like people laughed inside it.My stomach tightened as Hayes parked. “Your parents are really expecting us?”“Yes.”“And they think we’re in love?”He winced. “I didn’t have time to think of anything else. They’ve been waiting years for me to bring someone home.”“So your solution was to tell them we fell madly in love overnight?”He shrugged. “It made my mom cry happy tears. You can yell at me later.”I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Hayes…”“Ella,” he said gently, “I swear I didn’t tell them to make this harder for you. I told them because I didn’t want them thinking I stole you from Lucas.”A strange rush of emotion moved through me. “You didn’t ste
Chapter 6Quiet War(Ella’s POV)After Reese left, the penthouse finally felt quiet. I walked toward my design space and sifted through fabric bolts just to keep my hands busy. The table was covered in sketches, pattern drafts, and fabric swatches from my latest collection under my pen name. Hayes had it set up just the way it was at my aprtment. Only a handful of people knew I was the designer behind the brand that had taken over fashion week conversations.Hayes watched me from the sofa. “You’re already working?”“I need a distraction.”He nodded slowly, eyes drifting to the sketches on the wall. “Your brand’s everywhere again. I saw a thread last night. People think the mystery designer might be from Europe.”“Good,” I said. “Let them guess.”His lips curved slightly. “Meanwhile, the actual designer is in my living room wearing my hoodie and pretending she didn’t sell out an entire collection in seven minutes.”I shot him a look. “I’m not running an empire.”“You are,” he said sim
Chapter 5The Fallout(Ella’s POV)By morning, the scandal had exploded.Every headline screamed my name. Every notification on my phone demanded attention I wasn’t ready to give. I shut the device off, tossed it on the counter, and walked into the kitchen where Hayes stood scrolling through his laptop.“You saw the news,” he said quietly.“I didn’t need to open anything,” I muttered. “My ears were ringing before I even got out of bed.”Hayes winced. “Sorry.”“Stop apologizing. You didn’t ditch me at the altar.”He looked almost relieved to hear me say it.Before he could respond, the elevator doors opened and my mother stormed into the penthouse. She didn’t knock. She didn’t even slow down.“Ella Evans,” she said sharply. “Start talking.”Hayes took two full steps back. Smart man.My father followed her, far calmer but clearly tense. “Ella.”I crossed my arms. “Good morning to you too. And I believe it's Ella Evans-Flynn now, mother.”Ruby glared. “Don’t joke. You married another man







