“Mom, Madison is gone!”Annie shouted in her ear.
“Honey, what do you mean, gone?”Her stomach twisted in a knot.
“She signed the contract for that team, and she literally packed a bag and left for the airport.Telling me when I was in the middle of a practice session.”
Despite all the emotions rolling through her, Ella smiled at Annie being upset by being interrupted while her sister walked out, that was just the way it was between her daughters.
“I’ll try calling her.Thanks for letting me know.”
“I don’t know why she’d do that.Walking out on your current team can’t look good, right?”
“Probably not.But we make our own choices.”
“The audition is still open for that job, Mom, speaking of choices.Dad’s going to be so pissed.”
Ella bit down on a laugh.
That was her focused daughter, bringing up the job posting she wanted Ella to apply for in the middle of another crisis.
Though she didn’t think it was a crisis, and a part of her was proud of Madison.
Maybe a big part of her, her cheeks ached from smiling, thinking about Madison off on a new adventure, going for something that she’d want for a long time.
“I’ll talk to you later.Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
“Everything okay?”Helena gave her a curious glance.
“I think Madison is on a plane to Europe,” she choked out through a laugh.
“Good for her!”Helena clapped her hands together.“I always knew those girls were going to do fabulous things.”
“I hope this one turns out to be fabulous and not a disaster.”
“They’ve watched their father chase his dreams, right?You guys have done good with the girls.Give it time.”
“Thanks.”
“If we’re all done here, I’m going to leave you to get home to my submissive.We’re cuddling on the couch and watching a movie.How’s that for excitement?”
“The right speed,” Ella said, grinning.“We’ll have to get together soon.My husband has been so busy.”
“How are you adjusting?”Helena squeezed her arm as they walked back to the reception area.
“I’m fine.He’s happy.That’s all that matters.”She meant the words, but they were hollow.
“Your happiness matters too, Ella.See you soon!”Helena gave her a hug.“Text Zee to let him know you’re alone?”Her friend slipped into her Domme voice.
Of course, go!”Ella made a shooing gesture.
“You lock the door behind me,” Helena ordered.
“Got it.”Ella gave her friend another wave, then closed and locked the doors behind her, setting the alarm.
Ella tidied up the reception area, the overhead light flickering, casting the room in a half-white light.
The effect made her stomach roll and she frowned, annoyed that it hadn’t been fixed yet.
