Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
ELLA
Exhaustion settles in my bones as I take my paint brush and sweep the bristles across the canvas once more.
It's already the middle of the afternoon and Chloe went down for her nap an hour ago.
This is how I've been spending my time these last few weeks, letting the emotions pour from me, mixing with the oil paints.
Life has been a bit of an overwhelming, emotional whirlwind since I found Jacob sitting in my kitchen.
There’s a soft knock on the door and I divert my gaze, lowering my paintbrush. “Come in.”
The door opens slowly, Wyatt stepping into my space. “Hey,” he says softly, walking over to stand next to my easel. “Sorry to interrupt. I just finished installing the cameras and wanted to show them to you.”
After Jacob’s unexpected drop by, my brother, along with Iris and Remi, decided that I needed to get a doorbell cam installed, along with some other cameras around the exterior of the house.
“Of course,” I say, climbing to my feet. I look down at my paint laden hands as we slip out of the room and head down the hall. My feet carry me to the kitchen sink and I run the warm water over my hands as my brother walks over with my phone.
He already knows my passcode and unlocks it, opening the app he downloaded. “I put a camera by each door and installed the doorbell camera. All three are linked to this app,” he explains as he shows it to me.
I work a lather with soap in my hands, scrubbing my fingertips, listening to him explain how to operate them. Wyatt goes through the entire thing and I rinse and dry my hands.
“Thank you for doing that,” I say, a tense smile on my face. “I never would have thought I would need this, but here we are.”
“Everyone only wants you to be safe, El,” he tells me, his voice soft. “I’m not here and it doesn’t make me feel great all the time. I don’t even want to think about what may have happened if Cole weren’t here with you.”
Cole.
The sound of his name alone sends an electrical current through my veins.
“Yeah, me too,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m glad he was here–that I didn’t have to face Jacob alone.”
“You know, sometimes it’s okay to let other people in, right?” Wyatt says, his voice quiet. “I know you don’t want to get hurt again. You’re the strongest person I know, but letting someone in, letting someone help you… it doesn’t make you weak.”
I stare at him for a beat, swallowing over the lump lodged in my throat. “But it can make me dependent.”
“It doesn’t have to,” he says. “You can depend on someone, without being dependent on them.”
I let out a breath, a heaviness tightening around my chest. “Maybe.”
Wyatt shrugs with indifference, although there’s emotion in his eyes. “You deserve to be happy, El.” He pauses. “You got the paperwork, right? Your divorce was finalized?”
I slowly nod. Iris’ lawyer helped me to get everything sorted.
Since Jacob and I had been legally separated for the past few years, the divorce was granted without any issues.
We didn't have a waiting period before signing the paperwork.
Things are different in each state, and thankfully the state we were married in finalizes within seven to ten days.
I am finally free from that man.
“Good,” he says softly, his chin dipping. He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer to him. “Everything will be okay, little sis.”
I hug my brother, my eyelids falling shut as I hold on to this moment with him. Wyatt has always been the biggest supporter in my life and I know he means what he says. “Thanks, Wy. Thanks for always being here for me.”
“I always will be. Even if I’m not here in person all the time, I’ll always be here for whatever you need.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon with my brother before he heads back to Iris’.
After Chloe goes to bed, I find myself back in front of my canvas.
I spend the rest of the evening painting, well into the middle of the night until I'm past the point of exhaustion, falling asleep with a paintbrush in my hand.
When I finally resurface from my work, I realize Chloe will be up in a few hours and then it's time for us to start our routine all over again.
At least I have her... I'll always have her.
“There’s my little sweet pea,” Iris smiles, reaching her arms out for Chloe.
Chloe releases my hand and sprints through the living room, climbing up onto the couch with Iris before slipping into her arms.
Iris has been doing well and so far, everything has been going on schedule with her healing.
“Rose said as long as everything is good, I can leave a little earlier tonight, that way I’m not late coming to get Chloe.”
My brother walks into the living room, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his shorts as he leans against the doorway. “She’s fine, El.”
I look at Iris, watching her love on my little girl, before looking back at my brother. “I know. I just don’t want it to be too much, you know?”
Although Iris has been home for a couple weeks now and seems back to normal, I don’t want Chloe to hinder her healing. Wyatt’s been coming back to help with Chloe when Remi can’t watch her and even though he’s the one technically watching her, I don’t want it to be overstimulating for Iris.
Iris’ eyes flash to me. “She never is,” she assures me, wrapping her arms tightly around my daughter. “Plus, Chloe loves being here with Grammy Iris, don’t you, sweet pea?”
Chloe nods her head eagerly, burying her face in the crook of Iris’ neck. She’s been missing her, somethin’ fierce and I know the two of them being together like this is probably better for Iris’ mental health.
A smile works its way across my lips. “Okay, well if you need me to come earlier, I can.”
Wyatt walks over to me, squeezing my shoulder. “We’ve got it, sis.”
Walking over to Chloe, I press my lips to the top of her head before doing the same to Iris. “Thank you for everything,” I whisper to her, my eyes slowly searching hers.
Iris reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’ve always been like a daughter to me, El. I love you and Chloe, even Wyatt like you are all my own. You never have to thank me for doing what feels right and natural to me.”
Tears prick the corners of my eyes and I swallow over the lump lodged in my throat. “We love you too.”
Iris gives my hand one last squeeze and I blow kisses to the three of them before leaving a little piece of my heart in her living room. Emotion encapsulates me on my ride to work and I’m so grateful for everything in my life.
There were so many times I doubted I could have this, but here I am.
Surrounded by love.
Safe and secure.
The bar isn't as busy tonight and Rose has been handling the few tables we have while I bartend.
We're already past the dinner rush and things are starting to quiet down with only a few people occupying the barstools.
I say goodbye to a couple as they rise from their seats and thank them while I begin to collect their empty glasses and wipe down the counter.
As I'm moving the cloth over the surface, a familiar face sits down in front of me.
“Hello, Ella.”
My heart stops in my chest and Vera lowers herself into the seat directly in front of me. Kennedy, her assistant, sits down beside her. Since the incident with Jacob, I've been ignoring every call from them both.
“Hi, Vera. Hi, Kennedy.”
Kennedy gives me a soft, gentle smile and Vera simply tilts her head to the side.
I haven't had a lot of interactions with the two of them and Vera has never been anything less than pleasant and nice.
She has a colder, more up tight exterior than Kennedy does.
Between the two of them, Kennedy is definitely the sunshine of their party.
“How are you, Ella?” Kennedy adjusts her ponytail as she smiles brightly. “We've been waiting for you to bring some new work into the gallery!”
Vera glances at her from the corner of her eye. “You've been evading our calls. Are you not interested in us representing your work anymore?”
Kennedy instinctively grabs Vera's forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Her hand lingers, her thumb trailing over her skin as she stares at her for a moment.
Vera blows out a breath, her shoulders melting as Kennedy remembers I'm standing there.
Her gaze meets mine and she pulls her hand away from her boss's arm, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she swallows.
“I apologize for being blunt and crass,” Vera forces out the words, smiling apologetically. “This week has been stressful and as my therapist has said, I need to stop projecting. What I meant to say is, we've been trying to reach you and haven't gotten a response.”
“That's my fault,” I tell the two of them, my voice sounding stronger than it has in the past. I'm really working on channeling Ella who is learning to stand up for herself.
The same Ella who took control in the bedroom with Cole.
“Life has gotten a bit messy the past few weeks and I've been easily overwhelmed by things. I have been painting and I did plan on calling you back... eventually.”
“We work with artists all the time and understand the creative process,” Kennedy offers, smiling at me as she reveals the dimples in her cheeks. “We are also human and understand life happens.”
“Well, I have been painting, despite everything going on.”
Vera's face lights up and she looks very pleased with my truth. “Well, this is great news. Are you interested in selling any more of your work?”
I nod slowly, grabbing two napkins and setting them in front of the ladies. “I am. I’m very interested in trying to pursue this as a career.”
“If only convincing you was this easy,” Vera mumbled under her breath to Kennedy.
Kennedy's eyes sliced to the side of her face, but she quickly recovers and brushes away the awkwardness.
I'm not sure what that was about. Vera looks back at me.
“Our clients will wait. You have my number, so please call us as soon as you finish some projects and would like to talk about things.”
“Thank you,” I smile, a lightness spreading through my chest. It's a breath of fresh air, knowing I have this opportunity whenever I am ready for it.
I can only hope Cole waits the same way Vera will.
“Can I get you both something to drink or food perhaps?”
Vera nods. “I'll take a dirty martini and I'd love to look at the menu.” She glances at Kennedy, waiting for her to respond.
“I'll have what she's having.”
I smile at the two of them, grabbing two menus and handing them to both Vera and Kennedy before I walk to the center of the bar to prepare their drinks.
After handing them their drinks and taking their food order, I move around to the other patrons, stealing glances at Vera and Kennedy together while I work.
I'm not sure what their relationship dynamic really is, but I don't miss Kennedy's tender gaze as she stares at her boss.
Vera is a little more closed off, but she is visibly more relaxed around Kennedy.
All I can do is make assumptions and, considering that Vera is Kennedy's boss, I don't think they have a relationship they're sharing with the world.
There's stolen glances and secret, gentle touches that almost feel like I'm invading their privacy by witnessing it.
There's something blossoming between them, even if they haven't decided to let everyone in on their secret.
The trust they have is palpable and I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy inside. They're comfortable and safe with one another.
It's everything I had with Cole. And everything I still want with him.
I can only hope he'll be understanding and that he’ll still be waiting for me after I get my life straightened out.
After I put my past to rest and can focus solely on my future... and him.