The days continued to pass with a slow, agonizing tension. Ella, Derek, and Rick worked late into the nights, reviewing every piece of information they could gather. It wasn’t enough to simply expose Tania; they had to ensure there were no loose ends, no way for her, Fabian, or Crystal to retaliate.
Ella’s thoughts often wandered to Ethan. She couldn’t deny the ache she felt when she thought of him with Tania, even though she knew that Ethan wasn’t aware of the depth of Tania’s deception. But the sting of his betrayal still lingered, and forgiveness was not something she was ready to offer.
“I miss him,” Ella admitted quietly one evening as Derek sat beside her. “Even after everything, I miss him. But that doesn’t change what I need to do.”
Derek glanced at her, his expression unreadabl
