Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

At the mention of calling Aaron, Ellie spun away quickly. "Mom, Aaron's up to his eyeballs in work. Let's not get in his hair. We'll catch up with him Later, I promise.

"Once he's got some breathing space, we'll head back and spend a good chunk of time with you" Ellie said, her voice quivering as she avoided eye

contact with her mother,

Ellie's mom wasn't a frequent visitor; she couldn't read, and traveling was a challenge for her. Plus, she was always

s conscious about not wanting to

cause any embarrassment for her kids

This time, she must have really missed them to make the effort to come. But there was no way Ellie could tell her that Auron was in a tough spot. currently behind bars,

"Your studies come first," Joanna said, her voice attempting to sound light, but her eyes told a different story. They were clouded with disappointment.

She scrubbed her calloused hands on her pants before squatting down and staring to unpack her burlap bag. It was like a mini grocery store in there-vegetables, beams, cucumbers, tomatoes, commeal and so on. After a brief silence, Joanna went on. "Ellie, your dad he's talking about stopping his meds. He's worried about the costs, with Aaron and you needing to sende down

"We're still in debt to Carlos for all the school fees. He feels like he's not contributing, just holding you back. I gave him a piece of my mind...

She took a breath and added, "If you and Aaron can manage is, come home next week. Try to talk some sense into him."

Ellie glanced over an her m

mom, who was now buckled in the corner. Despite being just a bit over fifty, her hair was mostly silver. Her words were salt-spoken, but to Ellie, they resonated deeply. It was the harsh reality of their financial struggles

She thought back to the cutting remarks from Alex: "What does your brother have that could compete with me?" And then, "What do you think you en use to stand up to me?"

there next week

Swallowing the lump in her throat. Ellie managed a smile "Mom, don't you worry: Aaru and I will be th

As joy spread across her mother's face, Ellie, trying to keep things light, added, "And don't just think about Aaron, now. I'm starving"

Her mom sprang up and hurried to the kitchen to whip something up. Ellie watched, fighting back the tears, as the aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air-come cheese-meat-sausage lasagna, a reminder of the love that held them together through the tough times Elle's small apartment wasn't often the scene of family dampers, but tonight was different. As they sat downs to eat, Joanna fidgeted with a slice of lasagna clearly wrestling with some old guilt.

"Honey, you know I wouldn't have done what I did back then if I didn't think i was the right thing for you," she said, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Ellie reached out, gently taking the lasagna from her mom's hand and placing it in her own bowl. "Mom, we've been over this. I don't hold it against you" she reassured her, trying to lighten the mood. The memory of that near fatal incident when Ellie was just a kid was still a bit hazy. She'd ended up in a chemical plant's waste pond in a bid to help a boy, and it had nearly cost her everything Her dad had come to her rescue, but not without any price. His Jeg had never been the same, and the toxins had left him with a lingering cough that never seemed to go away.

After her grandpa's passing, a wealthy old man, Carlos, who claimed to be a friend of her grandpa's had shown up, offering to help with school fees and even adoption. It was a lot to take in.noveldrama

One night, Ellie had heard her parents arguing about the risks of her leaving with Carlos They'd considered sending her brother instead, but Carlos'd insisted on taking Ellie, admiring her quiet obedience. Her dad was dead set against it, leading to a fierce dispute that echoed through the house In the end, it was her mom who had pulled her towards Carlos's car, with her dad hobbling after them, his voice cracking as he called out Ellie's name, accusing her mom of being heartless,

Her dad's limp had slowed him down, and her mom, tears streaming down her fare, had led Ellie to the edge of town, where she'd tearfully watched as Ellie was driven away.

"I've lived through not being able to read, and I won't let that be your life, her mom had explained through her tears. You're my own flesh and blood, and I love you more than anything. Tjust didn't have the means.

"All I want is for you to have a chance at a better life, even if it means you end up resenting me. I'm just a simple woman who's seen enough hardship. I can't bear the thought of you going through the same."

1/2

"Hey, Mom, Ellie said, pushing a piece of lasagna towards, her mom, "how about you crash at my place tonight?"

Joanna smiled. "Nah, I don't want to cramp your style. Plus, I've got to get back. The chickens are out in the open, and that old tarp needs to be put up before the storm hits.

"And the sow's due any minute now. Your dad's not as spry as he used to be, so he could use a hand.

Elhe walked her mom to the bus stop, and as the bus pulled away, Joarma's face was still pressed against the window, her eyes fixed on Ellic

Even with the noise of the bus, Ellie could bear her mom's voice trailing off. """Come back next week, both of you I'll make my special lasagna." Once the bus was out of sight, Ellie let the tears fall. She had to keep her parents in the dark about the mess she and Aaron were in. She inShe had to Alex, her brother's only shot at staying out of trouble.

Next week, she'd have to go home with Aaron and convince their dad not to stop his meds-at was a matter of life and death.

Ellie quickly tidied up her place before stepping out with her umbrella. It was just getting dark when the rain started to fall. Standing ourside the café, she felt her heart race as the duked Alex's mumber, but he didn't pick up. Frustrated, she sent him an apology, but all she got back was nothing, I hit ber hard-Alex had blocked her. She sighed, feeling defeated

Not ready to give up, Elle reached out in a few of Alex's friends until she finally found out where he was

Later that night, Ellie stood outside the Earl Hotel, umbrella in hand, waiting for Alex to come out. She knew he was inside, but she couldn't bring

herself to walk in.

The rain wasn't pouring, but it was enough to leave her snaked from the waist down. Her umbrella was struggling against the wind, one of its ribs. already broken. She stared at the revolving doon, her eyes glued to them Just before, Haley had called to let her koos that Aame's case was moving to trial. Ellie felt a surge of determination she had to see him tonight, no matter what. She couldn't let this chance slip away.

At the

e Earl Hotel, the luxury suite was buzzing with the casual hanter of a cand game. Alex was in the middle of it, leading out cards when his buddly. Layton Mosley sauntered in

"Alex your little charge been causing trouble? Layton joked, clapping him on the back.

It was no secret that the Warren family had taken in a girl from a poor village, and Alex was stricter with her than anyone,

He just gave Layton a half-smile, cigarette perched on his lip. "She's getting to that age, you know? Hard to keep tabs on," he said, shuttling the cards with a practiced land.

Layton pulled up a chair, a thoughtful look on his face. Haven't spotted her around in a while. Though she might've left the nest

"Alex, you're not her real brother, man. You gotta be careful with bow close you get, another man warned, his voice serious, "Eh, she's grown up. She needs her own space, some buddy dismissed and said, not wanting to get into it. And just like that

the guys were off, discussing the finer points of female beauty, a conversation that could rage on forever.

As the night dragged on, it was clear Alex was checked out. He was down by a pretty penny, but he didn't seem to mind.

I'm tapped out, guys. You keep it going" he said, tossing his cards on the table and pushing back his chair. With that, he left the game behind, ready to call it a night. Comment