CHAPTER 5

Ella’s vision blurred.

Everything went silent around her. She couldn’t hear the voices of the crowd. The only sounds she could make out were the relentless clicking of cameras, the reporters shoving microphones in her face, and Ethan’s voice as he tried to push them away.

Marcus.

He hadn’t changed one bit. He stood there looking as if he owned this place, like he’d been invited.

She wanted to escape from here, far away from Marcus. He hadn’t seen her yet, and she was not going to allow that to happen.

Not today.

“Ella.”

Ethan’s voice pulled her back.

She turned towards him, forcing a smile to her face even though her heart was pounding against her chest.

“Can we leave?” She said quietly.

He looked at her for a moment.

He noticed the slight shake in her voice and the eagerness to leave this place. But he didn’t ask any questions.

He knew this world was unfamiliar to her. The cameras, the reporters, the attention, it was probably overwhelming.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Ella glanced toward the nurse standing beside her father’s wheelchair and gave her a small signal.

The nurse immediately understood and moved closer to guide her father away from the crowd.

Ethan stepped beside Ella, placing his hand firmly on her back, and guided her away from the crowd.

They reached the parking lot a few minutes later. Three cars were already lined up neatly, and a driver was holding the door of the first car open.

“Mr Wright, I was asked to take you home.” The driver said with a bold face.

Ella crouched down beside the wheelchair and took her father’s hand. “Get some rest, okay? Nurse Karen will take care of you, and I promise to be visiting from time to time.

Her father squeezed her fingers. “Don’t worry about me, hun. Go on and live your life. I will be fine,” he said with a small smile on his face.

“I’ll call you the second I get in,” Ella said, her throat tight.

“You better.” He said, still maintaining the smile on his face.

Before the nurse wheeled him toward the car, he looked up to where Ethan stood a few feet away, with his phone in his hand.

“Take care of my daughter.” His voice was bold and steadier than before. “She’s your responsibility now.”

Ethan met his gaze and held it. “I will.”

Her father nodded once, satisfied, and let the nurse wheel him toward the open door.

The car door shut with a soft, heavy click. Ella watched it pull away, taillights shrinking smaller and smaller until they blurred into the rest of the traffic.

She stood there a bit too long, her arms wrapped around herself as she couldn’t help but think that she was now alone with a stranger she had just gotten married to.

“Ma’am.” One of the drivers stepped forward, opening the car door nearest to her. “We have to go now Mr Blackwood arranged for you to be taken straight to the mansion. Miss Hannah will be waiting for you.”

Ella glanced past him toward where Ethan already stood with one hand on the car door, his face down to his phone, reading something that looked like it caught his attention.

She didn’t bother asking him where he was going or why he wasn’t coming with her. Neither her father nor the press was here, so she didn’t have to pretend. He could do anything he wanted. She didn’t care.

“Who is Miss Hannah?” she asked the driver, curiosity evident in her voice.

“Ethan’s oldest housekeeper,” the driver replied.

She got in without another word, the door shutting behind her with a quiet, final sound.

The car pulled off a second later. She was tired from everything. A long, warm bath was exactly what she needed. She rested her head against the window and watched as the city blurred past, buildings and lights folding into each other until she couldn’t tell one street from the next.

She looked down at the ring on her finger. It looked like it belonged there. Her mind drifted to Marcus. Why was he in New York City? Did he leave their hometown just to look for her? She hoped not.

Her eyes grew heavy somewhere along the ride. The quiet hum of the car and the steady rhythm of the road slowly lulled her to sleep. She let herself drift off.

“Mrs Blackwood.”

Ella felt a gentle nudge on her shoulder. She blinked a few times before lifting her head from the window. The driver was standing beside the open car door, waiting patiently.

“Where are we?” Ella asked between yawns 

“We’ve arrived at the mansion, Mrs Blackwood,” the driver said.

Ella nodded and stepped out of the car. She looked up and saw one of the most beautiful houses she had ever seen in her entire life.

Her eyes wandered around the surroundings. The garden was beautifully maintained, with colorful flowers that were neatly trimmed and fresh green plants.

The driver took her suitcase from the trunk and led her to the front door. Before he could knock, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman greeted them with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Mrs Blackwood,” the woman said. “You can call me Hannah. I’m the housekeeper.”

Ella returned the smile, “It’s nice to meet you, Hannah. You can call me Ella.”

“Okay, dear, you can come inside,” Hannah said before turning to the driver. Don’t worry, I’ll take it from here.” 

The driver handed Ella’s suitcase to Hannah before giving a polite nod.

“Have a nice day, Mrs Blackwood,” the driver said.

“Thank you,” Ella replied calmly.

“You must be exhausted from the drive,” she said gently. “Why don’t I show you to your room? You can freshen up before dinner.”

Ella nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

Ella couldn’t help but admire the view. She knew Ethan was wealthy, but damn… she hadn't realized he was this wealthy.

The living room was furnished with taste and exuded class and affluence. Cream-colored sofas surrounded a sleek glass coffee table, while fresh flowers rested neatly. She gazed around the house, she was awed by how many antique furnitures were present and how they clashed against the modern equipment. She couldn’t lie, Ethan had taste, apart from being rude, maybe this was the only thing that ticked her book.

“Right this way,” Hannah said, leading Ella toward the staircase with the suitcase in her hand.

Hannah climbed the stairs at an unhurried pace, and Ella followed behind. They stopped in front of a door. Ella guessed it was her bedroom.

Hannah placed her hand on the door handle. She turned it and pushed the door open before stepping aside, giving Ella a full view of the room that was about to become her home.

“This will be your room.”

Ella stepped inside. The room was elegant, with soft cream walls, a king-size bed, and carefully chosen furniture that matched the rest of the mansion. The curtains were drawn, giving the room a quiet, peaceful feel. It was beautiful, yet it felt strange, as though no one had ever truly lived here.

Her gaze landed on an envelope resting neatly on the bed.

“Mr Blackwood asked me to leave that for you,” Hannah said calmly. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. Just press this button, and it will alert me.”

She pointed to a small button on the nightstand. She dropped Ella’s suitcase down.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

Hannah quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Silence settled over the room. Ella looked at the black envelope again. 

Ella frowned. She hesitated before picking up the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly as she slowly opened it.

She reached inside the envelope and carefully removed the paper tucked inside. Her fingers tightened around the paper as she unfolded it slowly. Her eyes moved across the first line, and as she read the words written there, all the air seemed to leave her lungs.