Ella stood on her balcony, the soft glow of the morning sun warming her skin as she sipped her coffee. Her mind swirled with thoughts, but one thing she couldn’t shake was the revelation about Tania. Tania, of all people, she thought bitterly, her grip tightening around the mug. She knew her sister was capable of cruelty, but to use Fabian like that? To manipulate him using Grace, her own child? It was a level of depravity Ella hadn’t expected, even from Tania.
She took a deep breath, letting the calm of the morning momentarily wash over her. As much as she tried to focus on the serenity of the rising sun, her mind kept drifting back to the chaos. How could she have been so blind? She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away, but it wasn’t easy. This ends soon, she reminded herself. For my sake. For the twins.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was Rick. He had been helping her look after Leo and Liam, keeping them safe while she navigated the treacherous waters of revenge.
“Hey, Rick,” she said, trying to sound calm.
“Morning, Ella. Are you sure you want to bring the twins back so soon? You know they’re safe with me.”
Ella closed her eyes, picturing Leo and Liam’s faces. She missed them terribly. Every day they were apart felt like a lifetime. “I’m sure, Rick. I miss them. I don’t want to be away from them any longer. This… everything with Tania and Ethan it’s coming to a head. I need my boys with me.”
Rick hesitated for a moment before responding. “Alright. I’ll bring them over the weekend, then. They’ve been asking about you.”
Ella’s heart swelled. “Thanks, Rick. I really appreciate it.”
After hanging up, she quickly dialed Derek, who picked up almost immediately.
“Morning, Ella,” Derek’s voice came through, light but with an edge of curiosity.
“I’ve decided to bring the twins back this weekend. I’m ready for whatever Tania and Ethan have planned. But I want to make sure everything is in place-no more surprises.”
Derek sighed, but there was an understanding in his tone. “You’re walking a fine line, Ella. Tania’s desperate now, and desperation makes people dangerous.”
“I know,” Ella replied, her voice steady. “But I won’t let her get to my boys. Whatever comes, I’ll be ready.”
Ella let out a soft sigh as she leaned against the railing of her balcony, her gaze wandering across the city skyline. “I need this to be over, Derek. I need Tania to finally face the consequences of everything she’s done.” Her words hung in the air, heavy with years of suppressed pain and anger.
Derek’s voice was calm but tinged with concern. “We’re almost there, Ella. Rick’s been doing his part, too. He’s taken down nearly all of Tania’s allies. But Fred is still out there, and he’s the last piece of this puzzle. Without him, we can’t completely dismantle her operation.”
Ella frowned, swirling her coffee absentmindedly. Fred had always been a slippery one, Tania’s right-hand man. Ruthless and cunning, he had evaded every attempt to locate him. “What’s our next move then?” she asked, determined to stay focused despite the anxiety gnawing at her.
“We’ve got eyes on a few of Fred’s known associates. Rick has been digging, and it’s only a matter of time before someone slips. But Fred’s smart. He’s gone underground, and we think he’s only communicating through secure channels,” Derek explained. “We’re working on cracking those, but it’s slow.”
Ella nodded, absorbing the information. “Fred won’t stay hidden forever. We just need that one mistake he’ll slip up, he always does.”
Derek paused on the other end of the line before speaking again, his voice lower, more cautious. “Just be prepared, Ella. Fred is loyal to Tania. He’ll do whatever she asks, even if it means hurting you or the boys.”
Her jaw clenched at the thought of her children being in danger. “That’s why I need Leo and Liam back with me. I can’t let this drag on any longer. They belong with me, where I can protect them.”
“I get it,” Derek replied softly. “But just know that Rick’s place is one of the safest spots for them right now. He’s got them covered from all angles. Bringing them back home will make things more complicated, especially since we’re so close to exposing Tania.”
Ella closed her eyes, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. “I can’t stay away from them, Derek. I appreciate what Rick’s done, but I need them with me. Once we find Fred and make our move, I’ll feel better knowing they’re safe under my roof.”
There was a pause before Derek responded, this time with a note of finality. “Alright, I understand. I’ll make sure everything is in place by this weekend. Just… be careful, Ella. Tania’s desperate, and Fred’s her last line of defense. They might try something drastic.”
Ella knew Derek was right. Tania had her back against the wall, and cornered animals were the most dangerous. But she wasn’t about to back down now. Not when she was so close to the truth.
“What about the rest of Tania’s network?” Ella asked, her mind racing. “Do we have enough to bring her down even without Fred?”
“We’re almost there,” Derek confirmed. “Rick and I have been coordinating, and we’ve managed to flip some of her lower-level associates. They’ve given us enough dirt to expose Tania’s more illicit dealings-money laundering, fraud, and a few more unsavory things she’s been tied to over the years. But Fred… he’s the one with the knowledge of her more violent operations. Without him, some of the more damning evidence stays hidden.”
Ella’s heart sank. “So Fred really is the key.”
“He is,” Derek affirmed. “But like I said, it’s only a matter of time. Rick’s team is on him day and night. As soon as we get a location, it’s over for Tania.”
“Good,” Ella muttered, her voice hardening with resolve. “Because she’s not getting away with this. Not after what she did to me.
Derek’s voice softened again, a subtle encouragement beneath his words. “We’ll get her, Ella. You just have to hang in there a little longer.”
Ella took another sip of her now-lukewarm coffee, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She had waited long enough. Tania had taken too much from her already her peace of mind, her trust, her years of believing the lies. But the tide was finally turning. Ella was reclaiming her life, piece by piece, and nothing was going to stop her now.
“I’ll be ready,” she whispered, almost to herself. “When it all comes crashing down, I’ll be there to watch.”
“Good,” Derek replied, his tone firm. “Because when Fred goes down, Tania will have nowhere left to run.”
The two of them fell into a brief silence, the gravity of their conversation sinking in. Ella felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. For the first time in years, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
“One more thing,” Ella said, breaking the quiet. “I spoke to Rick this morning. He’s going to keep the twins with him until the weekend, but he’s doubling up on security. Just in case Tania tries anything before we bring them back.”
“sure’,” Derek responded. “We’re in this together. I’ve got your back.”
Ella smiled faintly, grateful for Derek’s unwavering support. “I know. And I’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
As she ended the call, Ella stood still on the balcony, feeling the crisp morning air brush against her skin. The sun had fully risen now, casting a golden hue over the city below. Despite the storm brewing on the horizon, she felt a strange sense of calm. Soon, everything would be out in the open. And when it was, Ella would make sure that Tania finally paid for everything she had done.
With one last deep breath, she turned and headed inside, ready to face whatever the day had in store.