Chapter Seven: Ella

Ella

“What happened?” Ella whispered, her hand going to her mouth as she stepped forward to inspect the rags. The dress was completely ruined. Even if it hadn’t been ripped in over a dozen places, there were black stains that would never come out of the once cream-colored fabric.

“They lost my dress on the runway. The plane ran over it.” The woman's voice was surprisingly steady, as if she still didn't quite believe it herself. She let out a half-hearted chuckle. “So much for the billionaire service, right?”

Ella admired the woman's attempt at humor, even as the chuckle twisted into a sob.

“They tried to tell me that it wasn't a big deal, but...” She picked up a corner of the blackened dress and a piece of lace fluttered to the ground. Her hand shook and for a moment Ella was afraid that the woman was going to completely break down. Ella certainly knew that she would collapse in this situation.

Ella quickly put her hand on the woman's shoulder and turned her away from the dress. “We'l