Ella woke before dawn, her head buried in the pillow, her thoughts scattered like loose papers on a windy street. She groaned faintly as sunlight pushed through the curtains, brushing over her face. She blinked up at the ceiling with that strange heaviness that comes when sleep didn't fix anything. Her chest still felt tight. Her body felt like it had been dragged through an emotional marathon. And honestly, the silence pressing in around her made it worse.
She sat up slowly, her hand dragging down her face. "My life is just… chaos," she muttered, huffing under her breath.
The bed dipped slightly when Ben stirred beside her. He wasn't fully awake yet, but his arm stretched across her lap like his body refused to let her move too far away. His fingers brushed her thigh lightly, and he grumbled something half-asleep, half-annoyed by the brightness in the room.
Ella watched him for a moment. He looked younger like this, softer, untouched by Rita's schemes, untouched by betrayal, untouched by the stress that clung to him every waking minute. If only mornings stayed this peaceful. If only the world allowed them a pause.
She slipped out of bed carefully and crossed the room, pulling her robe tighter around her. She wandered toward the balcony, pushing open the door just enough to let cool breeze sweep in. The early morning air hit her skin like a quiet reminder that outside their door, life was still barrelling forward, no matter how tangled everything felt.
She leaned on the railing, eyes fixed on the horizon.
"I need this to end," she whispered to herself. "I need just one day where somebody isn't trying to ruin my life."
Behind her, Ben yawned, heavy and dramatic, clearly annoyed that she'd left the bed. "Ella," he groaned, rubbing his face, "why are you out there freezing when the bed is warm?"
She didn't look back. "I'm thinking."
"That's dangerous," he muttered, dragging himself up.
She laughed softly. "Shut up."
He walked to her, looping his arms around her from behind, chin brushing the curve of her shoulder. "You okay?"
"No." She sighed. "But I'm trying."
Ben kissed her temple, lingering a bit longer than usual. "You're allowed to not be okay."
"Mm." Ella closed her eyes for a second. "I hate that Rita still has this effect on me."
"She won't forever," he said simply, like it was a guaranteed corporate strategy baked into a five-year success roadmap. "This crisis? Temporary. We're moving toward operational stability."
Ella snorted. "You sound like you're pitching to the board."
He groaned. "I know. It's a disease."
She finally turned around, resting her forehead against his chest. "Don't leave me alone today."
"I wasn't planning to," Ben murmured. "Lucas texted me. He wants us at HQ in an hour."
Ella's stomach dropped. "Already?"
"Yeah." Ben frowned. "He said it's important."
Ella rubbed her temples. "Everything is important these days."
"Babe… this one felt urgent."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed sharply on the nightstand. She flinched. Ben reached for it first, scanning the message.
"It's Lisa," he muttered.
Ella groaned again. "What now?"
Ben handed it to her.
Ella, call me as soon as you're awake. It's about your father.
Her heart slammed into her ribs. "Oh, God."
Without thinking, she dialed immediately. Lisa picked up almost instantly.
"Ella?" her mother breathed anxiously.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Ella whispered, pacing fast. "Is it Dad? Did something happen? Talk to me."
"He's… he's shaking," Lisa said, voice cracking. "Someone came to the house last night."
Ella froze. "What?"
"A man," Lisa whispered. "Tall. Dressed formally. He didn't force his way in, but he spoke like he was delivering a message."
Ella's breathing turned sharp. "Mom, what message?"
"He told your father to 'prepare for the truth to fall.' And then he left."
Ella felt her knees wobble. Ben grabbed her waist instantly to steady her.
"Did he threaten Dad?" Ella hissed.
"No. But he didn't have to. The way he spoke… it felt like a warning."
Ben's jaw clenched. "It's Jasper."
Ella swallowed hard. "Mom… are you and Dad okay right now?"
"We're fine," Lisa said softly, though the tremor in her voice told a different story. "But your father didn't sleep. He kept walking back and forth all night."
Ella felt tears sting her eyes. "I'm coming over."
"No," Lisa said immediately. "Stay put. Whatever this is, it's circling you. Coming here would only drag it into our home."
Ella choked on frustration. "But Mom….."
"Listen to me," Lisa whispered. "Just… be safe. And let Lucas handle whatever this is."
Ella nodded weakly. "Okay."
After hanging up, Ella just stood there breathing hard, her pulse too loud, her fingers trembling.
Ben brushed his thumb along her cheek. "Hey. Look at me."
She lifted her eyes slowly.
"This isn't your fault," he murmured.
"He shouldn't be dragged into this," she whispered. "My dad didn't sign up for any of this madness."
"No one signed up. But we're here now," Ben said, voice steady like he was anchoring her to the ground. "And we don't back down."
Ella exhaled shakily. "Why does this feel like everything is falling apart again?"
Ben pulled her into his chest. "Because it is. But falling apart doesn't mean it ends. Sometimes it's just the beginning."
Ella closed her eyes, letting herself sink into him, chest rising in uneven breaths.
A soft knock echoed from downstairs.
Both of them stiffened.
Ella muttered nervously, "Please tell me that's Lucas."
Ben shook his head. "Lucas would've texted before he came."
The knock came again. Firmer this time.
Ella's stomach twisted. "Ben…"
He squeezed her hand. "Stay behind me."
They descended the stairs slowly. Ella's breath caught when she recognized the silhouette through the frosted glass.
It was Reed.
Her ex.
The last person she wanted to see. The last person who should be standing on her doorstep.
Her heart thudded painfully. "What is he doing here?"
Ben didn't answer because honestly, he didn't know.
Another knock. Impatient. Sharp.
Ella swallowed hard.
Ben unlatched the lock, pulled the door open—
And Reed stepped forward with an expression Ella had never seen on him before.
Fear.
Real fear.
"Ella," he breathed, voice shaking, "we need to talk. It's about Rita."
Ella stared at him, heart pounding, dread curling up her spine.
"What about Rita?" she whispered, feeling the ground shift again beneath her feet.
Reed exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair.
"She's about to do something worse," he muttered. "Something she can't come back from."
Ella's blood ran cold.
And just like that…
Everything tilted again.