Chapter 11
1389 Words
Ellie’s P.O.V.
“See, you have a very hot stepson.”
I stared at Maria across the table, convinced I had heard her wrong.
“You are joking, right?”
She popped a fry into her mouth, completely unbothered.
“No. I am just stating facts.”
A disbelieving laugh escaped me.
“Maria, I told you that Zack is so insufferable. He is rude, arrogant, and…”
I stopped before my voice could rise further.
“He is making my life a nightmare.”
“So what?” She shrugged. “He can still be hot.”
I pressed my fingers against my temple.
Of course, this was her takeaway.
“I needed some advice. Not… whatever this is.”
“I am helping,” she insisted, leaning forward with a grin. “Moral support comes in different forms, Ellie.”
Leaning back in the chair, I exhaled sharply, trying to calm the frustration simmering under my skin.
After everything that had already happened, I came here to meet my bestie and... feel normal again.
And yet, Zack still managed to invade our conversation.
“Do you have a picture of him?”
Maria asked me as her eyes lit up suddenly.
“I want to see those ‘unique amber eyes’ you mentioned.”
“No,” I said flatly. “It didn’t cross my mind to take pictures when he was accusing me.”
“Tragic.”
She sighed dramatically. “A face like that deserves documentation.”
Despite myself, I almost smiled as Zack’s face flashed across my eyes.
Maria was annoyingly right. Zack was indeed… striking.
But the moment he opened his mouth, he became a freaking zero from a solid ten.
“Next time, I will definitely take pictures.”
I spoke dryly. “Right after I have asked him to stop being unbearable for five seconds.”
Maria laughed, clearly pleased with herself. She then nudged the tray toward me.
“Here. Eat something. It looks like you are surviving on anger alone.”
I glanced at the cheeseburger, chili fries, and chocolate milkshake, aka my favorite combo. But at that moment, it didn’t feel appetizing.
Instead, I reached for my own plate and cut a piece of grilled chicken.
“I am good with it.” I said, taking a bite.
Maria froze mid-sip.
“Wait. What?”
“I said I am good.”
“You just rejected your favorite chili fries?”
She set her drink down slowly as if processing something unexpectedly shocking.
“Hello? Who are you and what have you done with Ellie?”
I rolled my eyes, but her reaction softened something inside me.
“I started eating healthy for Jared.” I spoke quietly. “But now, I actually like it.”
Maria observed me for a second and then smiled softly.
“I am glad, Ellie. It’s a good change.”
I nodded, but my mind drifted anyway to the months I had spent pushing myself.
Dieting. Training. Trying to become someone who would be chosen.
And in the end…none of it mattered!
Jared didn’t even look at me…
Maria’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“So,” she said casually. “This stepson of yours… has a girlfriend?”
That question caught me off guard.
“How could I know this, Maria?”
“Then, is he married?” She pressed further.
“I don’t know this either.”
Maria leaned back, frowning. “Well, that is surprising. A man like that? It’s really hard to believe that no one has claimed him yet.”
A strange, uncomfortable feeling twisted in my chest. I frowned slightly, pushing it away.
“Why does it even matter if he is single or taken?”
Maria sipped the drink informally. “Nothing. Just curious.”
I shook my head. “He must be married. Or at least, involved with someone.”
That thought left an odd aftertaste.
But I quickly dismissed it.
It didn’t matter.
Well, it shouldn’t matter!
“Anyway,” I said, steering the conversation back, “you are completely ignoring the actual issue here, Maria.”
“Which one?”
“He accused me…” I stopped, irritation rising again. “You know what he did.”
Maria clicked her tongue. “His wording was wrong. I agree.
But his suspicion?
Not entirely.”
I stiffened. “You are taking his side?”
“No,” she said calmly. “I am only considering his perspective.”
Then Maria leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming serious.
“Think about it, Ellie. Your marriage was rushed. It's natural he is suspicious.”
Her words sank in, making perfect sense as she continued.
"From Zack's point of view, you are a stranger who suddenly appeared with a marriage certificate and legal rights to the family wealth."
Maria sighed. “You know my family, right? My dad’s side?”
I nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“My so-called aunt has created a whole new mess.”
She said bitterly. “She married into a young family. Had a child. Then went straight to the court for half the estate.”
I knew that for some time, Maria’s family was facing legal cases, but the details left me speechless.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing.
“Is that why your trust fund is frozen?”
“Yes.” Maria confirmed with a sour smile.
For a while, silence settled between us, heavy and suffocating.
Slowly, the sharp edge of my anger began to dull.
Zack’s words from yesterday echoed faintly in my mind.
“I won’t let you divide my inheritance!”
At that time, he sounded rude, but now, I could hear the caution hidden in his words.
I admitted quietly. “I hadn’t thought about it like that.”
Maria gave me a small nod. “You should talk to him, Ellie. Clear things up.”
Talking to Zack calmly? It felt like walking into a storm on purpose. But still, Maria was right.
“We do live under the same roof.” I murmured. “Avoiding him forever isn’t exactly an option.”
“Exactly.” Maria said, satisfied.
Then her expressions brightened as she reached down and pulled out a shopping bag.
“Now… since you are in a cooperative mood…”
I narrowed my eyes. “What is that?”
“A small favor,” she said sweetly, placing the bag on the table.
I opened it and blinked.
“This… this is from Prada.”
She clasped her hands dramatically. “Yes. And it doesn’t fit anymore.”
I gave her a look. “Then go to the store and get it altered.”
“I am broke.” She spoke pitifully. “And if my mom finds out I have gained ten pounds, she will lose her mind.
Please, Ellie. You are my only hope.”
I sighed, “Do you realize this is an expensive piece? A designer exclusive?”
“So what?” She shot back. “You have designed ten bestselling collections for Walton’s Lux in the past two years.”
Her words hit me like a blow in my gut.
No doubt, I had designed dresses for Jared’s company, but…
“That’s different, Maria.”
My chest tightened.
Jared never introduced me as the designer behind those collections.
I was only ever his fiancée.
She said firmly. “No. It isn’t, Ellie. You are talented. Stop pretending otherwise.”
For a moment, the chaos of everything faded. I closed the bag slowly.
“Fine. I will see what I can do.”
Maria grinned victoriously. “I knew I could count on you, Ellie.”
I shook my head, but a soft smile tugged at my lips. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a little bit myself…
We had lunch in a lighter environment, laughing over useless jokes. Spending time with Maira always lifted my spirits.
However, this happiness didn’t last long.
Just as we asked for the bill, my phone buzzed against the table.
My smile faded instantly.
Maria frowned. "What happened?"
I stared at the message on my screen.
Zack: “Come home. Now!”
Beneath it, another message appeared.
"Your husband is asking for you."
- Writer
