Ella hadn't spoken to her father in nearly two years. After the accident, when her mother had been hospitalized, he had remarried—a month after the crash. A month. The shock of his sudden remarriage left her reeling, and the betrayal she felt still cut deeply. Her father had never been the most emotionally available, but his quick leap into a new life with his new wife, Vanessa, had shattered any illusions Ella had left about him.
Vanessa had made no effort to welcome Ella into their new home. If anything, she made it clear from the start that she had no intention of sharing her husband's affection with his daughter. Ella had been treated like an outsider, a nuisance in the house, constantly pushed aside by her new stepmother and step-sister, who seemed to be there only to remind her that she wasn't part of the family anymore.
There had been a fight—a huge argument that ended with Ella leaving their home, her father's half-hearted apologies drowning in his new wife's demands.
But now… now she had no choice. She couldn't keep going like this. The money, the stress, the never-ending cycle of disappointment—it was too much. If she didn't find a way to fix this soon, she might lose her mother for good.
With a sigh, Ella grabbed her coat and wallet, the cold air outside a sharp contrast to the warmth of her apartment. Her heart pounded as she left, unsure of what she was about to do. She hadn't set foot in her father's house since that day, but now, for the sake of her mother, she was going to have to swallow her pride.
The drive to her father's house felt longer than it was. Ella's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, the tension in her body growing with each passing mile. She knew she was walking into a battle. The bitterness she'd carried for months was still fresh, and the thought of seeing her father again made her nauseous.
But she had no choice.
When she arrived, she sat in her car for a few minutes, staring at the large house before her. It was everything she hated about her father's new life—a sprawling, gleaming mansion that seemed to mock her with its excess. It felt like a symbol of everything she had lost.
Finally, she forced herself to get out, her legs unsteady as she approached the front door. She rang the bell and waited.
It took a few moments, but eventually, the door opened. Vanessa stood in the doorway, wearing a tight smile that never reached her eyes.
"Ella," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "What a surprise."
Ella didn't respond to the sarcasm. "Is Dad home?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "He's in his study. Why?"
Ella's heart hammered in her chest, but she kept her composure. "I need to speak with him. It's important."
Vanessa stepped aside, allowing Ella to enter. The tension between them was evident, and Ella could feel her stepmother's gaze on her like a hawk, but she refused to let it deter her. She needed help.
Ella made her way to her father's study and knocked softly on the door. "Dad?" she called, her voice barely above a whisper.
The door opened to reveal her father, looking older than she remembered, with a tired expression that softened when he saw her.
"Ella," he said, his voice tight with surprise and maybe something else. "What's this about?"
She swallowed hard, fighting the lump in her throat. "I need your help, Dad. It's Mom… she needs more care. I can't afford it anymore. I don't have anyone else to turn to."
He stood there for a moment, his gaze flicking past her, and Ella could see the conflict in his eyes. But then, his gaze hardened, and he crossed his arms.
"I don't know what you want me to do, Ella. I've already told you—Vanessa and I have our own life now."
Ella's heart sank. His words were a slap, a reminder that she was still an outsider in his life.
"Please…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't know where else to turn. You're my father. I need you."
The silence stretched between them, and for a moment, Ella thought he might turn her away. But then he sighed, rubbing his forehead, and stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter.
"I'll see what I can do," he muttered.
Ella didn't know if it was enough. But for now, it was all she had.