Page 127 of Beautiful Exile

“Please be careful,” she whispered.

“I will. Promise.”

“Thank you.”

“How are things going with you?” I asked. The question was hesitant. I didn’t want Ellie to feel any pressure from my corner. If she broke off her engagement, it had to come from her alone.

Sounds of more shifting came across the line, and I could picture Ellie curling into a ball like she often did, hugging her knees to her chest. “I told Bradley I needed a pause.”

It took everything in me not to cheer out loud. “How did that go?”

“He told me to go to the spa for a week.”

I blinked a few times as if that would clear the ridiculousness of Bradley’s comment. “Seriously?”

“Yep,” Ellie said, popping the P. “I tried to explain that I wasn’t sure if I was happy. He told me it was just cold feet. That I should take a girls’ trip and go shopping. Everything would be fine.”

“El Bell.”

“I know,” she whispered. “How did I end up with someone who doesn’t even know who I am? Who doesn’t care that I’m not happy?”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I got myself into this mess. I need to get myself out. But it doesn’t help that Bradley must’ve said something to Dad.”

I stiffened. “What did he do?”

“Just called and reamed me out. Reminded me that a Pierce always follows through on their promises. That I needed to do the same or I’d regret it.”

Rage blasted through me. “That’s rich coming from him.”

Ellie went quiet, and I realized my mistake, my anger getting the best of me and forcing something free that never should’ve left my mouth. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Nothing. I?—”

“Linc. Stop shielding me from everything. I’m not six anymore.”

I snapped my mouth closed.Hell.She knew. Knew I was hiding things from her. She could feel it.

“Linc,” Ellie whispered.

“I never wanted to burden you with any of it. You were too young and…”

“I’m not young now.”

“But you’ll always be my little sister.”

Ellie let out an audible breath. “Have you ever considered that keeping things from me isn’t protecting me?”

“You sound like Arden,” I grumbled.

“Well, you’re obviously not an idiot because you fell in love with a smart woman.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“Tell me,” Ellie said softly.

I gripped the fence rail with my free hand, letting the rough pieces dig into my palm as I tried to summon the words. My gaze went unfocused, the horses in front of me blurring as my eyes stung. “Mom tried to leave him. She wanted to take us with her.”

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