One of the servants opened the door. Her face wore an ugly grimace when she glanced at Ella, but when she looked up at Tim, the sneer faded and was replaced by a smile. “Come in,” she said, stepping aside.
Ella’s dad strode to the door to embrace her. “There you are, darling. God, how I’ve missed you.” He wrapped her up and hugged her so tightly, Ella felt as if she was a little girl again, and she almost cried. But she didn’t. The sound of Teresa’s heels coming into the living room turned her sadness into anger. “You look well,” her father added, holding her at arm’s length. “A little skinny.”
“Yes, well, not by choice.” Ella glared at Teresa as her father greeted Tim.
Teresa wanted to play pretend. “It’s lovely to see you, Ella.” She opened her arms slightly, but Ella took a step back. There was no way in hell she was going to hug her stepmother. Not after what she’d done.
