Her entire life was an illusion. Her relationship with James. Living in his huge house. His family taking care of her, welcoming her to their dinners, protecting her against the world.
Tick tock, Cinderella. Midnight approached.
And finally, there she was at his brother’s house, dressed in a couple’s costume she didn’t deserve, being led to a table of drinks she couldn't consume. James grabbed a beer for himself and pointed to a blender.
“Oooh! Look, babe! Mar-ga-ri-tas.” He smiled and grabbed a glass and filled it with ice as he danced to the music.
“Nah,” she said and thunder rumbled in the distance. “I’m not really in the mood.”
“Not in the mood?” The storm outside moved into James’ eyes. “What’s up with you?” He set the glass down and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Talk to me. What’s been bothering you lately?”
Ellie stared into his dark eyes and considered saying she was sick and needed to go home. She even considered saying she was tired of being in a fake relationship and wanted to call it off and then disappearing from Bliss, never to be seen or heard from again. She considered telling him anything and everything but the truth. She opened her mouth, only to close it again. Could her timing be any worse? She couldn’t tell him at a party. Drop a bomb like that in his lap while they were surrounded by people.
Of course, she gave herself the same excuse every time she considered telling him anything the past few days. And there she was, excuse in hand, only for the first time it was really true. A flash of lightning outside brought a few shrieks from the guests around her as Ellie jumped in surprise. Tears pricked at her eyes and despite her valiant attempt to hold them back, they began to trace their way down her cheeks, each one an admission of her guilt.
“Ellie.” James looked terrified. He brought his hand to her arm and drew her in while outside, the clouds burst and rain pummeled the house. “What’s wrong? Please…” His eyes echoed his pleading voice. “Talk to me.”
She took a breath. And another. Swiping away the tears only to have more fall in their place. She pulled him toward the corner and leaned in close so no one else could hear.
“I’m pregnant.”
She said it and regretted it in the same instant relief washed over her.
James’ mouth fell open. His eyes glazed over. “What?”
“I’m pregnant. It was a lie—when I said I was on the pill. I’m sorry.” His eyes darkened and he pulled away and her heart lurched in her chest. “I have no idea why I lied. And I don’t know why I didn’t take it back as soon as it came out of my mouth. I thought it would be okay. That I could go get on the pill and we’d be okay.”
“You thought it’d be okay.” Lightning flashed again and Ellie didn’t know what was more ferocious, the storm outside or the one in James’ eyes. “You lied to my face and you thought it’d be okay.”
Ellie shook her head, stepping toward him as her heart fractured, tiny cracks racing over its surface. “I’m sorry…”
He held up his hands. “How fucking dare you!” His voice hissed out between clenched teeth. “After all I’ve done for you? After everything I’ve let myself feel for you? You repay me by doing this?” James leaned forward and put his face close to hers. “I let myself think you were different. I let you give me hope.”
“You gave me hope, too! Love does exist.” Ellie reached out to him, her hands shaking. “James, I am sorry. I love you and…and I didn’t know what to do and I still don’t know…and I need you to tell me how to make this better. What do I do?”
Her entire body shook.
Her jaw quivered.
Tears dripped from her chin.
“What can you do?” James wasn’t keeping his voice quiet anymore, and people were starting to stare. “Don’t you think you’ve done quite enough already?”
“James, please. You have to know I never meant—”
“For me to find out?” he interrupted before turning his back to Ellie and growling his next words. “Was it just about the money?”
A strangled sob tore through Ellie’s throat.
The horrendous sound of pain signifying the shattering of her heart.
Tears poured down her face unchecked.
“James…” She tried to reach out to him again, to explain. If only there was a way to make him hear her. “I’m so sorry…”
She meant it with her very soul.
“Just get away from me.” He shrugged away from her touch and spun around with his lip lifted in a snarl of disgust.
The music still played, but all around them people stared. Ian and Juliet rushed in from the next room, matched expressions of panicked confusion on their faces. Ellie took one last look at James, revulsion twisting his lips, then as she turned to leave, found herself staring at a room full of shocked guests. Humiliation spawned another sob and forced her eyes to the floor.
Without a word, she ran from the room, pushing through the crowded hallway and rocketing out the front door. Rain pelted her face and shoulders, plastering her ponytail to her head almost instantly. The roar of the wind was no match for the pounding of her heart. She fumbled her keys out of her pocket as she ran down the crowded driveway, her heavy footsteps stomping through the growing puddles. The stupid plastic gun she had strapped to her back bounced wildly against the top of her thighs.
She wanted to turn back, hopeful she’d find James barreling out of the house after her. Wishing she heard him, yelling for her to stop. Begging her to come back. But she knew he wouldn’t do any of those things. The look on his face—so full of loathing—told her he never wanted to see her again. Another
