CHAPTER ONE

Ella glanced at the wall of her room for the last time. She picked the handle of her luggage and closed the door behind her. She went down the stairs and saw her mother waiting for her patiently.

"Did you already fix your things?” her mother asked. Ella smiled and gently nodded her head.

"I'm so sorry, my child,” her mother said.

"No, Mom. It's totally fine with me. I need this,” she answered. Her mother walked towards her and engulfed her in a tight hug.

"If only I could take away your pain, I would do it without a second thought,” her mother said. Ella hugged her back and quietly sobbed on the crook of her neck like a small child who wanted to be babied. It was never her choice to move away with her mother. She planned to live together with her boyfriend, but it never happened.

Slowly, flashbacks of the night that broke her came back, haunting her. It was supposed to be a fun night because it was her best friend Jasmine’s birthday, but it turned into something she wasn't expecting. She wanted to surprise her, but it was Ella who was surprised instead. Ella caught her boyfriend Ashton naked and doing nasty things with Jasmine in her room. It hurt her so much. She trusted those two with all her heart. It was then that Ella decided to move away from the place that brought her pain and sadness.

"Go and put your things in the car. We will leave once I talk to the agent about our house,” her mother said. Once again, Ella nodded her head and walked to her mother’s parked car. She carefully lifted her luggage and put it inside the car's compartment.

“Ella,” a voice behind her spoke. She closed her eyes and clasped her chest. It was the voice she never wanted to hear again. She mustered every ounce of courage she had and turned around.

"Ashton,” she coldly said.

"Babe, let me explain,” he begged and tried touching Ella, but she swatted his hands away. Ashton reeked of strong alcohol. He was struggling to keep his balance steady. He looked at her, tears falling from his eyes.

"There's nothing to explain, Ash. I saw what I saw,” she said and tried to bite back her tears. Seeing Ashton standing in front of her broke her heart again.

"Ella, please,” Ashton said. Ella couldn't hold it any longer, and she slapped him hard on his face.

"Damn you! Why did you do this to me?” Ella burst out with anger, her chest rising up and down. Her hands were shaking and stinging. "I trusted you and loved you with all my heart!” she shouted. Her body was wracked with an onslaught of sobs and tears.

"Babe, I'm sorry. It's not what you think it is,” Ashton begged. Ella bitterly laughed. He still dared to lie to her face. She was not a fool. She saw them having sex in the filthy room.

"Really, Ash?” she said and wiped the tears from her face. Suddenly, a pink car parked across the road, and Jasmine got out. She looked to her left and right before crossing the street.

"Ella, please let us explain,” she said and held Ashton's hand. Ella clenched her fist at the sight in front of her. It disgusted her so much. The friend she thought would support her had stabbed her in the back and snatched her boyfriend away.

"There's no need, Jasmine. He's all yours,” she said and turned her back away from them.

"I'm sorry, Ella. I'm pregnant, and Ashton is the father,” Jasmine said and sobbed. "I'm sorry. I love him,” she added. Ashton was stuck to the ground. He couldn't believe what Jasmine had said. Ella mumbled incoherent things through her hands and choked on her sobs. She couldn't handle that pain and ran back inside, leaving Jasmine and Ashton.

Ella broke down while clasping her chest. She kneeled on the ground while crying her heart out. Her mother quickly came to her after hearing her loud wails. She hugged Ella and kissed the top of her head, whispering words of comfort in her ear until she passed out.

Cars were speeding by, and their honking blared loudly in the busy streets. Ella woke up with swollen eyes, and a blanket covered in her body. She glanced out the window. The sky was already ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. Ella stood up and went to the kitchen, where she thought her mother would be.

"Mom?” she called. Elisa—that was her mother’s name—wiped her hands with a cloth and smiled at her daughter.

"Did you have a good sleep?” Elisa asked. Ella shook her head as a response. Her head was aching like someone was hammering on it. She sat in a chair and sipped the coffee that her mother gave her.

"I thought we were leaving today?” she asked. A crease on her forehead was visible.

"The agent has to finalize some papers,” Elisa answered. "We're probably driving to our new home tomorrow,” she added and sat beside her. Ella was ready to leave this place, along with her feelings and her shattered heart.