Chapter 306: New Connections
Ella’s POV
These days, my apartment feels a little less empty, and I have Celeste to thank for that. She’s been coming over more often, usually with a bottle of wine in hand, ready to just talk and hang out.
I’ve been so lonely lately, weighed down by this cloud of sadness I can’t quite shake, so having her around is like a lifeline. It’s nice to have someone to share a laugh with, to fill the silence that sometimes creeps in when Lily’s asleep and it’s just me and my thoughts.
At first, I had Celeste all wrong. When I saw her walk into the Hayes mansion that day, all poised and polished next to her family, I thought she was just another cog in their machine—someone who played by their rules.
But she’s nothing like that. Celeste is… light. Easy to be around. She’s not like the rest of the Hayes clan, with their cold ambition and calculated moves. She’s got her own mind, her own dreams, and a fire in her that I can’t help but admire.
One night, over a glass of merlot, she opened up about her family. She told me how she’s always fought to prove herself to her father and grandfather, Cliff and Garrett. They never took her seriously, always dismissing her because she’s a woman, telling her she’d fail in their cutthroat business world.
“They thought I’d crumble,” she said, her eyes sharp with defiance. “But every time they pushed me down, I got back up. I’m still here, still fighting for what I want.” I could hear the hurt in her voice, but also the strength. It made me respect her even more.
Lily loves her, too. Celeste has this way with her—playing with her, telling her wild stories about places she’s been, even helping braid her hair before bed. Seeing them together warms something in me, a part of me that’s been cold for too long.
It’s hard, raising Lily on my own, juggling work and trying to keep my head above water. Having Celeste around feels like a small gift, a reminder that I’m not as alone as I sometimes think.
Tonight, though, Celeste had other plans for me. “You need a break, Ella,” she said, rummaging through my closet like she owned it. “You can’t keep living like this—work, Lily, repeat. You’re young. You need to live a little.” She pulled out a dress I hadn’t worn in years—a tight, black number with a plunging neckline that made me blush just looking at it.
“No way,” I said, crossing my arms. “I can’t go out in that. And besides, what about Lily?”
“Lily will be fine with me,” Celeste shot back, tossing the dress onto my bed. “I’ll stay here with her. You, on the other hand, are going out. You need this, Ella. Trust me.”
I argued, of course. It’s been forever since I’ve gone anywhere like a club, and the idea of leaving Lily, even for a few hours, made my stomach twist. But Celeste wouldn’t budge. She kept pushing, her enthusiasm infectious, until I finally caved. I slipped into the dress, feeling like a stranger in my own skin.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself—my hair loose and wavy, the dress hugging every curve. It was bold, maybe too bold, but Celeste clapped her hands like I’d just won a pageant. “See? You’re a knockout. Now go have fun.”
She handed me the address of some trendy club she swore was perfect for “letting loose.” I hesitated at the door, glancing back at Lily, who was already engrossed in a coloring book Celeste had brought her. “You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked, my voice tight.
“Positive,” Celeste said, waving me off with a grin. “Go. Have fun for both of us.”
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The club was a sensory overload. Flashing neon lights, thumping bass, the air thick with the smell of sweat and sweet cocktails. I felt out of place the second I walked in, like I’d stepped into a world I didn’t belong to anymore.
It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this—since before Lily, before my life became a juggling act of responsibilities. I made my way to the bar, ordering a mojito to calm my nerves. The first sip was sharp and refreshing, but it didn’t do much to ease the knot in my chest.
I watched the crowd—people dancing, laughing, losing themselves in the music. Part of me envied them, their carefree energy. Celeste’s words kept echoing in my head: You need this.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I’d been so caught up in being a mom, in surviving, that I’d forgotten how to just… be. So, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the dance floor.
At first, I felt awkward, my movements stiff. But the music was loud, infectious, and soon I let it pull me in. I closed my eyes, letting my body sway to the rhythm, the beat drowning out the noise in my head.
The dress, which had felt so foreign at home, started to feel right, like it was waking up a part of me I’d buried. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t thinking about work or Lily or the endless list of things I had to do. I was just… moving.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed a few people looking my way. A group of guys in the corner, a woman by the bar who gave me a small, knowing smile. It felt good, being seen—not as Lily’s mom, not as the woman who’s always holding it together, but as me. Ella. I smiled back, a spark of confidence flickering inside me.
I headed back to the bar for another drink, my skin warm from dancing. The club was packed, and I decided to check out a quieter corner I’d noticed earlier, with plush sofas and a view of the dance floor.
I was weaving through the crowd, trying to avoid bumping into anyone, when my heel caught on the slick floor. I stumbled, my hands flailing for balance, and crashed right into someone.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I gasped, steadying myself. I looked up, ready to apologize again, and froze.
It was Shawn.