Second Chance: A Life Rewritten

In the days that followed, Eric and Ella finalized her plans to leave. Every moment was meticulously planned by Eric. He had gotten her an apartment where the security was not questioned. While he made every preparations, Ella also prepared the documents she needed and all the funds she had secured through her investments.

The night before her planned departure, her father was once again in her room. "We have to tell your... to tell Clara. You cannot just leave." Eric told Ella.

"You are right." She hadn't planned on telling them anything, but with her father now in the picture, she absolutely could not leave without them knowing where she was.

"Oh, and by the way, Dad, I had hoped Lucian and Emily's engagement could be announced while I was still here; that way, I would have been able to congratulate her before I left." Eric sighed.

He had agreed with Ella when she first suggested it, but thinking back to the text exchanged by Lucian and Emily, he decided if the two were to be together then it would only cause a bigger drift between his daughters.

"I already informed the Daniel's family that there won't be any engagement between us." Ella bit her inner lip, 'I guess I won't be seeing the million-dollar expression on Lucian's face if his fiance's name was changed to Emily.'

"Oh...Okay," Ella nodded. "But why?" She had been so certain that her father will go ahead with it.

"I don't need such a male in my family." It was obvious that Eric has no intention of talking about it, so Ella smiled, dropping the topic. 'I don't actually need the engagement to ruin those two.' She thought to herself.

"Are you sure you have packed everything you need?" Eric asked her again.

"I have. By the way Dad, I am hoping you will make me a promise." Eric raised a brow. Whenever she asks him to make a promise, it always ends up with him being on the losing side.

"I need you to promise me that I will never see stepmother using my mother's things again." Eric frowned.

"About that necklace..."

"I want it back. It is my mother's." Ella told him. She had made her mother a promise that she would get back everything of hers.

"But Clara..."

"Mother would be turning in her grave knowing she is using her things. She has had to share you with stepmother; don't make her share her things, too, Dad." Eric looked away guiltily.

"You are right, I will return that piece to you tonight. Do you want to take a look at her things? Who knows, you might find things you like. I am sure your mom would be happy to see you using her things." Ella nodded. Of course, she wanted something of her mother.

"Come, follow me." Eric told her as he led her to the room that is always locked.

Clara, who was walking out of her bedroom, saw them and frowned, 'Really? He is taking her in there now?'

"Honey, are you looking for something?" She asked as she moved to join them.

"No, we aren't looking for anything." Eric told her before turning to Ella, "Look around by yourself, for now; I will be back."

Seeing her nod, Eric asked Clara to follow him. "I actually planned on looking for you; remember the necklace you had borrowed? I will like it back." Clara was shocked.

"But..." She tried to say something.

"You said you were borrowing it." Eric reminded her.

"I did." Clara was upset. 'It must be Ella.' Knowing Eric, he wouldn't have asked her to return this if Ella hadn't said anything.

Taking the necklace from its box, "Are you intending to gift Ella some of the pieces of jewelry in that room? Should I call Emily over to pick something too?" Eric shook his head.

"No, everything in that room is Ella's. Her mother had left them, and it could only be hers. If Emily needs a piece of jewelry, maybe you can give her something of yours." With that, Eric left the room to rejoin Ella, who was hugging a picture frame of her mother.

It was the last picture Flora had taken; she had smiled so widely as she held her seven-month protruding stomach.

"You really kicked your mom a lot you know." Eric told her with a sad chuckle as he came into the room. "Before we went for a gender reveal, we both were certain you were a male." It was Ella's turn to laugh.

"Why did..." Ella hesitated. Smiling, she turned back to look through her mom's things.

"For someone who hates being curious, you sure know how to keep others curious." Eric told her. He had a nagging feeling he knew what she had wanted to ask him, and he was sort of grateful she didn't ask.

"Can you change the room's lock? The key should be exclusively yours." Eric laughed at her words.

"No one... Okay, I will. Any and every access to this room will be strictly under my supervision." Eric promised her.

"Thank you." Ella smiled as she picked a few of her mother's jewelry and three dresses that she thinks will fit her. Her mom was a total stunner, curvy in all the right places. Even from pictures, Ella knew her aunt wasn't exaggerating when she said her mom had suitors at every corner.

Although she wanted to pick more dresses, Ella knew she needed to grow a little more before she could fit into them.

"Now let's go and announce your departure to the others." Eric told her.

"Can we do that in the morning please?" Ella asked causing Eric to sigh.

"You do know we would still have to tell them, right?" Her father asked and she nodded.

"In the morning." Sighing, Eric agreed.

That night, Ella stood by her bedroom window, staring out at the estate bathed in moonlight. A mixture of relief and anticipation coursed through her veins. 'I am finally leaving.' She thought to herself.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a message from the reporter.

[Footage edited and safely kept as instructed. A copy shall be forwarded to you.]

Ella's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Everything was falling into place. Tomorrow, she will leave this life behind and step into a future she will build.

But as she set her phone aside, a knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. Expecting one of the maids, she opened it without hesitation, only to find Emily standing there, her expression unreadable.

"We need to talk," Emily said, her voice low.

Ella arched an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe, blocking Emily. "What could we possibly have to talk about?"

Emily stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "I know you're planning something." Ella smiled at her words, "I won't let you ruin my life and everything I have worked hard for." Emily added, her eyes searching Ella's as though she wished to pry her open and see the secrets she is hiding.

Ella chuckled, crossing her arms across her chest. "Oh, Emily. You've already done such a good job of ruining things yourself. But if you're worried, you should be." Ella suppressed her laugh.

Watching Ella laugh, Emily's facade cracked just enough for Ella to catch a glimpse of the fury beneath.

"This isn't over," Emily hissed before spinning on her heel and walking away.

Ella watched her go, a sense of calm determination settling over her. "No, it's not," she murmured to herself. "It's just beginning."

****

Meanwhile, in a corner of the world, Alexander Sterling, the enigmatic CEO sat in his expansive office. His assistant, Marcus, entered with a folder in hand.

"Sir, the report you requested for." Marcus said, placing the file on the desk.

Alexander glanced at it briefly with a smirk. "Release the report to the security, and when their stock is dropped, we acquire it."

Marcus nodded. "Oh and by the way sir, Luke has been brought in. Will you be going over yourself?"

Alexander's interest was piqued. "Oh, of course."

Marcus chuckled quietly, he knew his boss would definitely not let the chance slip through his finger.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Tell them to keep him company until I get there." He told Marcus.

"Yes, sir."

As Marcus left the office, Alexander dropped the folder in a drawer as he continued looking through the email he had received earlier that day.