Ella pursed her lips, letting her silence answer that question.
Mom just stared, imploring her to give a response she couldn’t offer. Because despite their circumstances and treatment of her being the same, Martha had been a victim of their upbringing just as Ella had, and she was concerned there might be some Stockholm syndrome at play with her sister.
Mom, however, was in an entirely different boat, because she’d chosen Dad over her own daughters time and time again.
When she didn’t say more, Mom finally sniffled, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ella.”
She didn’t elaborate on what exactly she was sorryfor. Whether her apology was meant to cover the last six months or the past thirty-two years.
Either way, it was just words.
“Okay,” Ella said, clearing her throat, unable to offer absolution, if that was what her mom was hoping for. She’d spent too long letting the little niceties her mother offered cover other, bigger sins.
Returning to Gracemont had brought back memories Ella had spent well over a decade suppressing. Talking about them with Edith and Maverick, seeing their reactions to not only her dad’s abuse, but her mother’s silence, her failure to protect her, had shown her there were two villains in her story, not just one, as she’d always believed.
Mom glanced in Maverick’s direction, giving him a tentative smile, then she leaned closer to Ella. “Is he good to you?” she whispered, even though Maverick was standing close enough to hear.
“The best,” Ella whispered back.
Mom nodded, still hovering, as if waiting for more. Perhaps since Ella had accepted Martha’s attempt at mending fences, Mom hoped she’d allow her to do the same.
Ella wasn’t sure she could.
“I need to get back to packing,” she said, desperately needing to get this over with.
Mom sighed. “Okay. I…”
Ella watched as countless emotions passed through her mother’s eyes. She was certain her mother had questions, requests, and too many other things she wanted to say. But now—just like always—she couldn’t find the courage or the strength to say them.
So she did what she did best. Stayed silent and walked away.
“Goodbye, Ella.”
Ella watched as her mom left, closing the front door behind her.
Everett and Maverick hadn’t said a single word since her dad left, but they hadn’t left her alone, either. Their presence meant the world to her, because it gave her the strength to do what she should have done a long time ago.
Regardless, she was on emotion overload and afraid that if she spoke, she’d either scream or sob or punch the fucking wall.
A full minute passed as Ella stood by the front window, watching her mother climb into the car, her family pull from the curb and drive away.
Everett, the sweet man, found the perfect way to break the uncomfortable silence.
“So…that went well.”
Ella turned around, preferring the emotional release he offered.
All three of them cracked up, laughing so hard, so uncontrollably, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Once they pulled themselves back together, Everett approached and gave her a hug. “You are a total badass, Ella.”
She bit her lower lip, not wanting to shatter that illusion by breaking into loud sobs. Though she had to admit, it was a close call.
Everett returned to the kitchen without another word, and she heard the sound of dishes rattling as he began packing once more.
Maverick remained behind. When he opened his arms, Ella stepped into his embrace, burying her face against his chest, soaking up every ounce of his compassion.
“Are you going to forgive your mom and Martha?”
