ELLA'S POV"Oh no," I breathed, panic surging through me. I glanced at Trent, his expression mirroring the dread I felt."And who exactly are you people?" The nurse demanded, her eyes narrowing.Trent straightened his shoulders. "We're her family. We were just coming to check up on her." But the nurse wasn't having it. She reached for the phone on the wall. "Security, we have a situation here in room 315," she barked into the receiver. "Two individuals claiming to be social workers, but I believe they're imposters."Desperate, I surged forward and gripped her arm. "Please, you have to listen to us. But the nurse pulled away, her expression hardening. "Security is on their way. I suggest you two come quietly before this escalates further."Trent leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ella, we have to get out of here. Now."I hesitated, my gaze darting between the nurse and Lydia's prone form on the bed. But the sound of pounding footsteps in the hallway spurred me into action.

ELLA'S POVThe security guards descended upon Mr. Stewart, their hands clamping down on his arms and hauling him back. He thrashed against their hold, spittle flying from his lips."You'll all pay for this!" Mr. Stewart bellowed, as he struggled to release himself. "I'll make you regret the day you crossed me!""It's over now, Mr. Stewart," Trent said firmly, stepping forward to stand by my side. "The truth has finally come to light, and there's nowhere left for you to hide."Mr. Stewart let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "You think this is over? I'll get out of this, you mark my words. And when I do, I'll make you both pay."And just then, the police arrived. "Mr. Stewart, you're under arrest for assault and battery, as well as the attempted cover-up of domestic abuse." one of them stated, stepping forward to cuff his wrists. "Anything you say will be used against you in a court of law."As the officers led the still-raging Mr. Stewart out of the sanctuary, I finally allowed myself to b

EIGHT YEARS AGOIt was a sunny afternoon in the Donovan's expensive backyard. The sound of dribbling basketball and the laughter of two teenage boys filled the air. Trent, aged 10, his face a mirror image of his twin brother Tom, maneuvered the ball between his legs, dodging his best friend's attempts to steal it. With a well-timed jump shot, the ball arced through the net, and his friend groaned."Man, you're too good at this," Damien complained, swiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm about ready to call it quits."Trent grinned, tossing the ball back to him. "What, giving up already? And here I thought you were supposed to be the star player."Damien rolled his eyes, twirling the ball on his finger. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in. I'm only the star because you allow me to be, you know."Trent's smile faded slightly, his gaze drifting towards the house where the faint sounds of raised voices could be heard. "I don't know, Dames. Dad's been on my case about basketball lately. Says it's a wast

ELLA'S POVAfter 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

TRENT'S POVAs I lay in bed that night, my mind was racing. I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right - the timing of my brother Tom's accident with Lydia being admitted to the same hospital, also the fact that he was now being treated there, the same facility as Mr. Stewart's ex-wife. It all just felt too coincidental.There had to be some connection, some deeper conspiracy that I was missing. The way my father had reacted when I'd confronted him, the threat to keep me away from the hospital...it all pointed to him being involved in something sinister that I couldn't quite place.I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I had to get to the bottom of this, to uncover whatever they were hiding. But first, there was something I needed to do - I had to come clean to Ella about what had really happened that fateful day.The mere thought of opening up about the accident sent a chill down my spine. I was terrified of Ella's reaction, dreading how I would find the right words