As soon as I saw Ella sitting at her desk, shoulders trembling, I knew something was wrong. She tried to wipe away her tears, but the damage was already done. Her sobs were quiet, controlled, but that made it worse.
Ella never cried like this. I have never seen her like this. Not even in the face of the whirlwind Klaus had stirred up with his lies. But now, it was like the weight of everything had finally crushed her.
And I couldn't stand it.
"Ella?" I said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened, clearly not wanting me to see her like this, but I didn't move. I didn't want to leave her alone with her pain.
"I'm fine," she whispered, her voice brittle. But she wasn't fine, and it was my fault. If I hadn't dragged her into this stupid contract, Klaus never would've gotten so vindictive. Ella would still be living her life in peace, not under the microscope of public opinion, not the subject of vicious rumors swirling around our office.
