ELLA'S POVMy heart pounded hard in my chest as I scanned the hallway, finally spotting Damien at his locker. This was my chance. I had to warn him, no matter how awkward it might be between us.Taking a breath, I started towards him, dodging between the clusters of students. "Damien!" I called out once I drew closer.He looked up at the sound of my voice, brows knitting together slightly. There was a pause before he responded. "Ella? What's up?"I came to a halt in front of him, gnawing on my lower lip. How was I supposed to phrase this? "Look, I...I need to tell you something. In private."Damien's frown deepened, but after a moment's hesitation he gave a slight nod and stepped away from his locker. "Okay, let's talk over here."He led the way to a secluded place, out of earshot from the other students walking about. Once we were alone, I turned to face him fully, struggling to maintain his stare."I'm just going to cut right to it," I began in a low tone. "You need to warn your dad

ELLA'S POV"Okay from the top again," Ryan instructed, clapping his hands together.I sighed deeply, rolling my eyes as the music filled the room once more. "Ryan, I don't think this is a good idea," I said again. "You can't just assume I have some hidden dance talent just because of one drama performance."Ryan chuckled lightly. "Trust me Ella, I know raw talent when I see it," he murmured, eyes twinkling.Stepping forward, he grasped my hands, his fingers tightening around my waist as he pulled me flush against him. Our bodies moved together seamlessly in the intimate proximity."Just feel the rhythm and let your body move," Ryan breathed, his lips close to my ear. "You've got a natural grace."A flush crept up my neck at the compliment. Swallowing hard, I met Ryan's intense gaze and gave a slight nod. Squaring my shoulders, I tried again to mirror his steps, letting the pulsing beat of the music guide me.Ryan kept one hand splayed at my lower back as we moved. "That's it, nice and

ELLA'S POVTaking a deep breath, I extracted the contents and began to read the documents from the envelope. My heart stuttered as the words on the top page leapt out at me - 'Divorce Decree'.A divorce decree? Between who? My trembling fingers flipped through the stack until I froze, eyes widening as I stared at the names - Daniel Thompson and Patricia Thompson. My parents' names...divorced?My mind spun as I rapidly flipped through the official documents. The listed date of legal separation, details of the division of assets and custody arrangements. It was all there in black and white.What the hell? How was this possible? All my life, Mom had spun the story that Dad simply up and left us, abandoning his family without a trace. She'd never once breathed a word about going through an actual divorce proceeding with him.Rage sparked within me as the realization sank in - I'd been lied to, by my own mother no less, for years upon years about the truth surrounding my father's disappear

ELLA'S POVI replayed Mrs. Emerson's heartbreaking words over and over in my mind, each time feeling the dagger thrust deeper in my chest. "I'm so sorry, Ella...your father, he's gone. He was hit by a car and...he's been in the hospital, in serious condition. But there was no money, no way to afford the care he needed." All this time, my father had been alive, suffering, just mere blocks away - and I'd had no idea. If only I'd known, if only I'd been able to find him sooner. Maybe, just maybe, I could have helped, could have done something to save him. The tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I crumpled to the floor, my father's farewell letter clenched tightly in my trembling hands. "I'm so sorry, Dad," I choked out, the words barely audible through my sobs. "I should have found you, I should have tried harder. If I'd only known..."The sound of the front door creaking open made me start, my head whipping around to see my mother hurrying into the living room. Her brow raised as

ELLA'S POVI finished the last bite of my decadent crêpes, savoring the rich flavors on my tongue. Trent had insisted on taking me to a fancy french restaurant. As I set down my spoon, I felt the recent emotions weighing down on me.Trent returned from the front, sliding into the chair across from me. "All taken care of." As I swallowed the final morsel, I set down my fork and dabbed at the corners of my mouth with my napkin. "That was delicious, Trent. Thank you for bringing me here, but I really should be getting home now."But before I could stand, Trent placed a hand on my arm, halting me. "Not so fast, We've got a few places to go first."I raised my brow. "Other places? Trent, we just wanted to grab a bite to eat, isn't that what you said?"He chuckled. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind. I just want to make sure you leave here with a smile on that pretty face of yours."I felt my cheeks warm at his words, annoyed at how easily he could still get under my skin. "And why, pray tell,