Chapter 41: I was in control.

Ella’s POV.Despite how weak I felt, I couldn't help the quiet smile that tugged at my lips. His arrogance was almost unbelievable; so much so that my shoulders shook faintly with amusement. Then I lifted a finger and pointed toward my dresser."My proof is right there.”Jason followed my finger and his eyes landed on the phone that was still sitting quietly between the skincare bottles. The video was still active but he couldn't see who was on the other side of the call.For the first time since he arrived, he looked really unsettled now.“You’re recording me?”“From the moment you walked into this room,” I replied softly, "I became the one in control of what happened next.”His jaw tightened and for a brief second, a darkened expression flashed across his face. Then a smirk slowly returned to his lips, like he still believed he had control over the situation. “Is that what you think?” he asked quietly. “That you’re in control?”I said nothing and just stared at him.“Well… your lit

Chapter 42: You started the story.

Ella’s POV.“I see you're finally showing your true colours,” he murmured, a humorless scoff tugging his lips. “I almost don’t recognize you anymore. You want to accuse me of sexual assault now? I thought you were always so morally grounded.”A bitter laugh escaped me, and my shoulders shook faintly despite the pounding in my head.“Let's just say I finally realized something.” I held his gaze. “If I ever want to win against a man like you, I can't keep playing by the rules you never respected in the first place.” I paused, narrowing my eyes.“And don't forget… you actually did try to force yourself on me.”I turned away and walked toward my dresser, grabbing a wipe to clean the blood that was beginning to dry on my palm and stain my phone. “Besides, why are you acting surprised?”His brows pulled together.“You taught me.”For a second, he just stared at my face through the dresser mirror.“You accused me of cheating,” I continued, locking eyes with him through the mirror. “You fab

Chapter 43: A Crack in the wall.

Ella's POV.My stomach twisted violently. “Get out!” I screamed, pointing toward the door. “Leave my room!”For one terrifying second, his expression hardened and I honestly thought he was going to attack me again. My body braced before my mind could even decide what to do.But he turned and just walked out quietly, shutting the door shut behind him.I stood where I was, listening to his footsteps as they faded down the stairs. Then came the sound of the back door slamming shut echoed some seconds later. Only then did my legs finally give out.I dropped heavily onto the edge of my bed as the adrenaline that had kept me standing drained out of me all at once, leaving behind nothing but shaking limbs and a pounding headache.A breath that I hadn't realized I had been holding in finally escaped my lungs. Immediately, Sylvia’s voice cracked through the mindlink.“Ella…” she whispered brokenly, sounding like she was trying not to cry. “Oh, Goddess!”I pressed a trembling hand against my

Chapter 44: A false hope.

Ella's POV.She came reaching for my neck, but I leaned back before she could touch it."It's nothing, Mom."Her frown deepened. “That is definitely not nothing.”Her eyes moved from my neck to the plaster on my arm, then to the bandage near my hairline. "Ella..."The way she said my name made my stomach sink. She moved closer and caught my wrist before I could pull away again. She rolled up the sleeve of my blouse just enough to expose the scratches on my arm. Her eyes widened."What happened to you?"I gently pulled my arm free. "I had a small accident while packing last night,” I said. “I tripped.”"You tripped?" She stared at me, disbelief written all over her face. “Ella, all of this… from a small accident? You expect me to believe that?”Her eyes traveled over my injuries again, and I made the mistake of looking away, but she caught it instantly.“And what about your wolf?” she pressed, “Why isn't she healing you?”My wolf stirred immediately at the question, but I ignored he

Chapter 45: Nowhere to hide.

Ella's POV.I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs. The luggage was already waiting in the living room… I'd packed everything last night; two boxes, one for my mother and one for me. The letter had made it clear that each person was only allowed to come with one.Just clothes, important documents, and a few other necessities. Nothing extra or fancy.I stood staring at the boxes for a few seconds, how they looked so small. It felt so strange that years of living in this house had suddenly been reduced to two boxes. A soft sound behind me pulled me from my thoughts. My mother stepped out of her room, dressed and ready to leave. She paused for a moment and looked around the house one last time, and I could see how hard she was trying not to cry.My chest tightened at the sight of that. But I didn't want her last memory of this place to be me falling apart, so I swallowed whatever was trying to rise up inside me, straightened my shoulders, and walked over to her.“Hey." she said, tryin

Chapter 46: Getting away with nothing.

Rhaella’s POV. I looked up to see Sylvia and Michael making their way through the crowd. Both of them were practically jogging toward us. The second Sylvia reached me, she gave my mother a quick greeting before grabbing my arm and dragging me a few steps away. Not far enough for Mom to worry, but far enough that she wouldn't overhear. Michael followed behind us, looking equally tense. The moment we stopped, Sylvia smacked my arm hard. "Ow!” I stared at her. “What was that for?" "That's for almost giving me a heart attack!" I blinked. "What are you talking about?" Her eyes widened. "What do you mean, what am I talking about?" She shot back. "What was that crazy stunt you pulled last night? How could you not even think to tell me any of it beforehand?” I shrugged. "Would you have let me do it if I had?” “Absolutely not!" She grabbed my arms again, squeezing them so tight that it almost hurt. "Ella, that was reckless. What if he had gone violent with you? What if he’