Chapter 212
Ellie's POV
I wasn't entirely sure why I stopped at the bookstore that day.
Maybe I just wanted to delay going home.
Because eventually, I would have to face Dominic.
And lately, it felt like no matter how hard I tried to avoid him, he always found some reason to talk to me.
Maybe it was also the giant yellow sign plastered across the front window.
That was probably enough of a reason.
Either way, I found myself pulling into the parking lot and walking inside.
The store was quiet.
Peacefully quiet.
The air smelled faintly like old paper and some artificial vanilla candle burning somewhere near the counter.
It wasn't unpleasant.
Actually, it was comforting.
The girl behind the counter glanced up from the book she was reading.
She popped her gum.
Then looked back down without saying a word.
I wandered toward the display tables first.
A few new releases caught my attention, and before long, I had a small stack tucked beneath my arm.
Then I found myself drifting toward the history section.
I had just finished reading that old book about Lycans at the library, so naturally, my curiosity was still piqued on the subject.
Anything related to them immediately caught my attention.
Unsurprisingly, I found a few books.
I pulled one from the shelf and flipped it over to read the description.
Then I felt someone standing beside me.
I looked up.
Expecting the cashier.
Instead, I froze.
My mother stood there.
The book slipped slightly in my hand.
"Mom."
Her eyes softened.
"Ellie."
She looked at the books I was holding.
Then back at me.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
Neither did I.
But before I could overthink it, I stepped toward her.
"Mom, I wanted to apologize."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.
"For what happened the other day."
I swallowed.
"For what I said."
She opened her mouth, but I quickly continued.
"I don't actually think you're stupid. I was just..."
"Angry."
Her voice was gentle.
I looked down.
My cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
And I nodded.
She didn't say anything for a moment.
I braced myself.
Because honestly?
I deserved to be scolded.
I had said horrible things.
Even if I still believed everything I had said about Vivian.
That part hadn't changed.
But instead of anger...
My mother smiled.
Then she stepped forward.
And hugged me.
I froze.
For a second, I didn't know what to do.
Then I melted.
Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her.
She smelled like vanilla and shampoo.
A familiar scent.
A safe scent.
I closed my eyes.
It still felt impossible sometimes.
Having her here.
Alive.
In my past life, losing my mother had been one of the most painful things I had ever experienced.
Somehow, losing her had hurt even more than my own death.
And in this life...
I had almost pushed her away, too.
The thought made my chest ache.
I made a silent promise.
I would never speak to her like that again.
It was the kind of promise children always made.
The kind they sometimes failed to keep because families were complicated, and people hurt each other without meaning to.
But I meant it.
I would try.
When we finally pulled apart, my mother glanced down at the book in my hand.
"Doing some light reading?"
I laughed awkwardly.
"Oh. Yeah."
I lifted it slightly.
"I was reading a book about Lycans at the library."
Then I smiled.
"Did you know they probably had opal-colored eyes? Like mine?"
The reaction was immediate.
My mother went still.
Her expression changed.
The color drained from her face.
"Mom?"
I tilted my head.
"Did I say something wrong?"
For a moment, she looked like she had seen a ghost.
Then she quickly forced a smile.
"No. Not at all."
Her voice was too fast.
"I just..."
She glanced away.
"I think I might have a stomach bug. I should probably go."
"Oh."
I stared at her.
"Okay."
She hurried away.
Leaving behind the books she had been carrying.
I looked down at them.
That was strange.
Very strange.
I picked them up and paid for them along with my own books.
I would give them to her later.
By the time I got home, I knew I would run into Dominic.
It wasn't even that late.
And lately, he seemed determined to wait up for me.
Always trying to talk.
Always trying to figure out what was wrong.
What I didn't expect...
Was to hear Vivian's voice the moment I stepped inside.
"No, not the red ones."
A pause.
"Too dramatic."
Then:
"Maybe the cream?"
I immediately stopped.
Great.
So she was here.
My first instinct was to quietly disappear into my room.
Especially since Dominic wasn't waiting near the entrance as usual.
But curiosity got the better of me.
I followed the sound.
It led to the dining room.
I peeked around the corner.
And there they were.
Dominic and Vivian are sitting at the table together.
Between them was a pile of fabric.
One of the servants held up a thick piece of cream-colored linen.
The light filtered beautifully through it.
"Hm."
Vivian tilted her head.
"Not that one, actually."
She reached into the pile and searched.
Then she pulled out another piece.
A sage green fabric.
"Now this..."
She smiled.
"This could work."
I didn't know what they were doing.
And honestly?
I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
So I quietly turned around.
Unfortunately...
I forgot about the floorboard.
The one that always creaked.
It groaned beneath my weight.
Both of them looked up.
"Ellie."
Dominic's voice was immediately cold.
I could tell.
He was still angry about this morning.
About the festival.
About me refusing to help.
"You're home early."
I stepped into the doorway, clutching my bookstore bag.
"It's past dinner."
His expression darkened.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"That's early for you these days."
I pressed my lips together.
Because he was right.
And I hated that.
Vivian calmly folded the green fabric and placed it inside a box.
Only then did I notice the label.
Festival Supplies.
"What are you doing?"
I asked.
Before I could stop myself.
Vivian smiled.
"What does it look like?"
Her tone was sweet.
"We're preparing for the festival."
My jaw tightened.
I looked at Dominic.
"You hired Vivian?"
I shouldn't have been surprised.
But some small, foolish part of me had hoped things wouldn't repeat themselves so perfectly.
I had hoped this life would be different.
Apparently...
I was wrong.
Dominic held my gaze.
"You wouldn't do it."
His voice was calm.
"So I hired the most responsible person I could think of."
Vivian looked pleased by the compliment.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"Well."
I adjusted my grip on my bag.
"I'll leave you to it, then."
I turned to go.
But Dominic stopped me.
"It's not set in stone, Ellie."
I paused.
His voice softened slightly.
"If you can prove yourself..."
I looked back.
"Maybe I'll consider letting you have the job back."