172

Ella's POV

"Anna." Mad granny breathed as I rushed into her room widespread arms.

I closed my eyes as I inhaled her familiar scent that always seemed to comfort me. I was glad that it hadn't changed. Her presence still brought relief to my aching heart and it wasn't long before I forgot about the pain and stress of the last twenty four hours.

She pulled back and looked into my eyes, chuckling. "I forgot. It should be Ella."

I smiled. "You can always call me Anna, granny. I would always be your Anna."

Her eyes clouded with unshed tears. "Thank you, Ella. I appreciate the gesture. You will always be my girl but you need your identity. I won't delude myself that you are Anna."

My friends moved closer to me and took turns hugging me.

"I'm so glad you are back."

"I thought my heart was going to stop during the trial when I thought you were going to be executed."

"I couldn't have watched. I would have fainted or puked my guts out."

"You want to be there when she would be executed. I would h