CHAPTER NINETY SEVEN

ELLA'S POV

After dropping Amelia off - no, more like she dropped me off, since Trent had decided to leave with his car to God knows where - I entered our small apartment and heard the sound of Mom in the kitchen. I dropped my bag, already feeling exhausted.

"Ella, is that you?" Mom's voice called out as she emerged from the kitchen. To my surprise, she was looking happier than I'd seen her in a long time, a bright smile on her face.

I raised my brows at her. "You look happy. Any occasion?"

She just beamed and closed the distance between us. "Come here, I have a surprise for you," she said, covering my eyes with her hands.

"A surprise?" I echoed as she guided me further into the kitchen.

"Close your eyes," she instructed, and I felt her hands slip away. The tantalizing aroma of my favorite foods - crisp bacon and fluffy pancakes - immediately assaulted my senses.

When she gave me the okay to open my eyes, I found the counter laden with my favorite dishes, steam still rising from the fr