Page 137 of The Rules We Broke
With that, she headed for the door.
I waited, heart pounding. Who else would come calling on Christmas morning? It had to be Brady.
Then I heard Aunt Lu’s voice—icy, clipped. “You’re not welcome here.”
Surely, she wouldn’t speak to Brady that way.
I stood, confused, and stepped toward the foyer.
And then I heardher.
Elizabeth Jackson.
“That very well may be,” she said coolly, “but I’m not leaving until I speak to Ella.”
She had some nerve.
I opened my mouth to tell her to leave, but she walked right past Aunt Lu like she owned the place, her eyes scanning the room like she was inspecting a museum exhibit.
Aunt Lu slammed the door behind her and marched back to my side.
I sank into my seat, stunned by the turn of events.
Aunt Lu sat beside me, her posture rigid, her gaze locked on our uninvited guest.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
She didn’t answer. She just kept staring—cold, unwavering.
I turned to Elizabeth.
“What are you doing here?”
Normally, I’d call herMrs. Jackson.But she didn’t deserve that kind of respect.
She looked like she considered correcting me, but she thought the better of it.
Smart move.
“I need to speak to you,” Elizabeth said, her voice tight.
“After the way you’ve treated me?” I replied, sitting up tall. “I have nothing to say to you. You can see yourself out.”
Her face reddened instantly. “Don’t youdaretalk—”
“Elizabeth,” Aunt Lu cut in, her voice sharp and commanding. “I suggest you don’t speak to my child that way.”
Elizabeth faltered. Her expression shifted—panic flickering across her features.
“Please,” she said, more desperate now. “I need to speak with you.”
“Why?” I asked, arms crossed. I couldn’t imagine what she could possibly say that would matter to me.
“I’m trying to save my family.”
Her words hung in the air.
There was a part of her family I valued more than anything. And wasn’t I already staying away from Brady so she could have him?
