y... or so

airs for breakfast. The warm scent of fresh pancakes filled the kitchen, and Ella giggled as she car

for work, leaving the hou

peared, much to Ell

and seek," Ella pouted as

Rose reassured her, smoothing

ed. "Maybe he's plan

about that, but s

stepped outside and spotted the s

omach

m

aning against the car, she knew

her crimson lips curled into a knowing smirk. Dressed in a tailored cream-colored coat and high heels, she looked as

tilting her head as if inspecting somet

eeping her expression

manicured fingers agai

ightening her posture. "Is

The way she moved, the confidence in her posture, it wasn't just ar

s light, but her eyes gleamed with something sharper

sure Mr. Ashford would p

ad said something amusing. "Oh, sweet girl,

er arms. "Why

You see, Christian never lets just any

sessing, like a predat

u have questions about Ella's

l." She stepped even closer, so close Rose could catch the fai

n down Ros

inary dust off her sleeve. "Christian can be difficult. And

n calm, but her fingers

bt in her mind, trying to m

o scare me, it doesn'

t a chuckle. "Oh, honey. It'

back on, gave Rose one last unreada

r, and within seco

she left behin

or a few moments, stari

to cause trouble-sh

ed Rose like a puzzle to solve, it hadn't been

t

just th

n't

walked inside, she noticed her hands were trembling slightly. She

ing to let Am

coul

ersation in her mind, a single

knew somethi

noon pass

her bed, her stuffed bunny held tightly against her chest. Rose tucke

filled t

e Amy's visit, Rose fel

ng room, sat down on the cou

ication flashe

read m

unknow

ned and o

stand. The ground beneath yo

art po

ad it

ag

? And what d

to Amy? Or someth

ound the phone. For a long moment, she d

it off? Would

o

d that th

he knew one thing, he was fiercely protective of Ella. If there was even

he exhaled and l

ait until h

en, one thin

t the onl

else was

anted her