Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“You rotten little bitch,” Delores screamed. “I'll fire you. I'll have you kicked out of here by the police!”

“Do it.” Ella stood up a little taller. The realization that Delores needed her and not the other way around hit her. “You can't run this place without me and you know it. You're scared that I'll leave and you'll actually have to do the work yourself.”

“How dare you? After all I've done for you?” Delores was practically frothing at the mouth. Anger had her spitting and her hair was coming out of its neat bun on the top of her head. “How dare you!!”

A strange calm settled over Ella. Delores couldn't touch her. So what if Delores fired her? So what if she kicked her out? Ella deserved better than what she got here. The inn would either survive or it would go up for sale. As soon as it did, Ella would purchase it and do all the things she'd always wanted to do.

“I'm leaving,” Ella said, her tone cool and calm. She was surprised that her hands weren't shaking. She picked up her suitcase and squared her shoulders. “Get out of my way, please.”

“You can't.” Delores stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. The tan powder of her makeup

was harsh against her paling skin. Everything was going white except for her cheeks which were somehow turning pinker.

Her father never meant for her to be treated like this. His wish was for them to be a family, not for Delores to torment her. This wasn't what her father wanted. She was right to leave.

“I can and I am.” Ella moved to right in front of the door. Delores would either have to move or be run over. “I'm leaving. You can find someone else to be your punching bag. I quit.”

Delores didn't move, so Ella simply went around her. She did her best not to knock the woman over, but the door was small and the suitcase took up more room than Ella was expecting. Yet, she managed to get out without feeling guilty.

She took three steps before the panic of what she was doing sunk in. Then four more for her to realize there was nothing she could do about it. She was suddenly giddy, anxious, excited, and overwhelmed all at once.

For years, Ella had dreamed of telling her stepmother to jump in a lake. And now, she had actually done it. And done it well! Pride in herself and her own strength bubbled up, overtaking the negative emotions. She was free.

“Way to go,” Allison congratulated her as Ella jumped off the bottom step of the staircase. “She's had that coming for a long time.”

“You heard that?” Embarrassment flushed over Ella. She never intended for anyone else to be a part of her exit strategy.

“Ella, I'm pretty sure the next county over heard you.” Allison grinned and looked at her suitcase. “Good luck.”

“Thank you.” Ella almost kept walking but didn't. She stopped and gave her stepsister a hug. It took a moment for Allison to return the gesture, but she did.

“Get out of here before Mom realizes what just happened,” Allison told her. “Keep in touch.”

“I will,” Ella promised. She flashed her sister one last grin before starting the walk to the front door. From there she could get a ride to the bus station and figure out what she was going to do once she reached New York City.

Outside, the world seemed fresh and new. Different somehow. The sun was brighter and the birds sung louder. It was almost as if Jace were here, Ella thought. The idea of telling him just what she had said to her evil stepmother made her smile. He would be proud of her.

She stood on the curb off to the side of the hotel for a moment, debating whether she should call a cab or have the hotel driver take her to the bus stop. She felt a little guilty for using the hotel's services, especially since she didn't work there anymore, but she was going to need every dollar in her pocket.

The man from the IRS, still in his thin tie and suit, stood off to the side holding his briefcase and checking his watch. He nodded professionally to her and then turned to face the street to wait for his ride. For a moment, Ella considered asking the stern man if they could share a taxi.

She was still debating what to do next when a black limo pulled up in the driveway. Ella frowned. No guests were supposed to be arriving today. The next wedding party wasn't due to arrive for another three days, so she had no idea who this could possibly be.

The limo door opened before the driver could come around and open it for whomever was inside.

A man in a dark blue suit and flowers stepped out.

Jace.

He looked every bit the part of Prince Charming, coming to woo his princess. Ella suddenly felt very self-conscious of her patched skirt and ragged suitcase. She certainly didn't look like the princess.

“Ella?” Jace's eyes found hers. Fear tinged the blue with darkness as he approached, holding out the flowers like a peace offering.

“Jace.” Ella couldn't stop the smile as she ran over to him. Her feet skittered to a stop just short of rushing into his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“I needed to say goodbye in person.” Jace swallowed hard, his brows tightly knitted as he looked at her.

“I didn't send those text messages,” Ella replied. “That wasn't me.”