003
The cold night air hit Ella's face as she stepped out of the apartment, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't know where she was going, she just needed to leave. She needed to be anywhere but here, away from him.
Ethan's words still rang in her head like a cruel melody, each syllable slicing through her like a blade. 'If only Sophia had appeared sooner... I never loved you… My parents forced me to be with you… You're making a mistake… You'll regret this…
A ragged breath left her lips as she pulled her phone out of her bag, her fingers trembling as as she scrolled through her contacts. She needed someone, anyone to remind her that she wasn't alone.
She pressed on Nora's name and brought the phone to her ear.
Nora picked up on the second ring. "Nora?"
"Ells?" Her voice was laced with concern. "Why the hell do you sound like you've been run over by a truck?"
Ella let out a weak chuckle, but it came out more like a sob. "Can you come get me?"
"Where are you?"
Ella swallowed hard. "Outside my place. I—" Her voice broke, and she bit down on her lip to stop it from quivering. "I just need to get out of here."
A pause. Then, Nora's tone sharpened with determination. "Stay right there. I'm on my way."
The call ended, and Ella felt like she could finally breathe again, just a little.
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to contain the wreckage that was her heart. But no matter how tightly she held myself together, she could still feel the cracks widening.
Five minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her, and the passenger door swung open. "Get in," Nora commanded, her hazel eyes blazing with an intensity Ella hadn't seen in a while.
She climbed in and shut the door. The moment the car started moving, the emotions inside Ella broke. Tears, silent, gut-wrenching sobs.
Nora didn't say anything at first. She just drove, letting her cry, letting her feel. Then, after a moment, she reached over and squeezed Ella's hand. "Let me guess. That asshole finally showed his true colors?"
Ella nodded, pressing her forehead against the window.
"Good." Nora said.
That made her pause. "Good?" She croaked, turning to Nora in disbelief.
"Yes, good," Nora said firmly. "Because now you can stop wasting your time on a lying, cheating, sorry excuse of a man. You think this is a loss, babe? No, this is a blessing in disguise."
Ella sniffled. "Doesn't feel like it."
"Well, of course not. Right now, it feels like someone just ripped your heart out and stomped on it. But trust me, Ells, five months from now, a year from now, you're going to look back at this moment and laugh at yourself for ever shedding a tear over that spineless coward."
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "I wasted seven years, Nora. Seven years loving him. And he—" Her throat closed up. "He never even chose me."
Nora clenched the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. "Listen to me, and listen good," she said, her voice fierce. "That man didn't deserve you. He didn't deserve even a second of your love, let alone seven years of it. I know it hurts, Ells. I know it feels like your world just collapsed. But trust me when I say that the best thing you will ever do for yourself is to move the hell on and never look back."
Ella exhaled shakily. "I don't even know how to do that."
Nora smirked. "That's why you have me."
She frowned, confused. "What?"
Nora turned onto a familiar street, and her eyes widened.
"Wait… Is this—?"
"Oh, hell yes, it is," Nora said, grinning. "You think I'm going to let you sit at home crying over a man who doesn't even deserve your tears? No, ma'am. We are getting drunk tonight. And we're going to do it in style."
A part of Ella wanted to protest, to tell Nora that this wasn't the time, that her heart was still bleeding. But another part, the part that was tired of feeling broken whispered, Why not?
Maybe drowning the pain in alcohol wouldn't fix anything. But for tonight, maybe it could make her forget.
So, she let Nora drag her into the club, past the flashing lights and the booming bass, straight to the bar.
"Two shots of tequila," Nora told the bartender. Then, turned to Ella and smirked. "Actually, make that four."
Ella laughed weakly. "You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"
"Ells, I'm trying to bring you back to life."
The bartender slid the shots toward them, and Ella hesitated for only a second before downing one. The burn was immediate, but so was the warmth that spread through her chest.
Another shot. Then another.
The pain started dulling, replaced by a strange, intoxicating numbness.
The music pulsed through her veins. The lights blurred into streaks and for the first time since the horrible night, Ella felt… free.
Nora grinned at her. "There's my girl."
She giggled, swaying slightly in her seat. "You know what?" she slurred. "I think I need… I need to kiss someone."
Nora's eyes widened. "Uh-oh."
"No, no, I need to," Ella insisted, gripping her arm. "Ethan kissed her. My own sister. And I just—" Her chest heaved. "I just want to do something crazy for once."
Nora sighed, shaking her head. "Babe, maybe we should slow down—"
"Nope." She stood up, nearly tripping over her own feet. "I'm gonna do it."
Nora groaned. "Oh, God. Please at least make sure he's not a creep."
Ella ignored her, her hazy gaze scanning the crowd. And then, she saw him.
A man. A gorgeous man.
Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a sleek black suit that made him stand out from the sea of casual-club wear. His sharp jawline, intense eyes, and the way he carried himself all exuded an air of authority, of power. He looked dangerous, but in a way that was thrilling rather than terrifying.
He was sitting in the VIP section, nursing a drink, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with mild disinterest.
Perfect!
Before she could second-guess herself, she marched toward him, her head swimming with drunken courage.
She stumbled slightly as she reached him, and his gaze snapped to her instantly. Up close, he was even more stunning. Those dark eyes burned into her with an unreadable expression.
"Hi," She said, breathless.
He raised a single brow. "Hello."
She wobbled slightly and grabbed the lapel of his jacket to steady herself. His muscles were solid.
"You're very…" Ella squinted. "Handsome."
Something flickered in his eyes—amusement? Curiosity?
"Thank you," he murmured.
She swallowed hard. "I need to kiss you."
A full second of silence before his lips quirked upward. "Do you, now?"
Ella nodded vigorously. "Yes. Because an asshole, he kissed my sister, and now I just—" She huffed. "I just really, really need to do something stupid."
He tilted his head, regarding her carefully. "And you've chosen me?"
Ellabnodded again. "You're… very kissable."
He chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent shivers down her spine and then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he leaned in, his lips brushed against hers, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to stop for her.
The pain. The betrayal. The heartbreak.
For that single, fleeting moment, it was just him. But Ella didn't realize that this one act of hers could alter her crushed life.