Chapter 243

Ella

The months following Logan’s and my engagement was a whirlwind of change. We sold Logan’s mansion to a wealthy family from out of the area, and before I knew it, we were moving into our new home.

It was a 1920s Spanish-style home, with warm stucco walls and breezy windows. The first floor was open concept, and I could already picture all of the wonderful parties we could have here. I fell in love with it immediately.

“Oh my god,” I breathed as I looked around at how the dark wooden beams contrasted with the light, warm color of the walls and ceilings. “This is beautiful.”

“Wait until you see this.” The realtor led us across the tiled floor and over to a set of double doors that opened out into a covered patio. There was a trellis covering the whole patio, with lush green vines and wisteria hanging down.

“It’s like paradise,” I said as we walked out into the warm air. “Logan, I—”

“I’m thinking exactly what you’re thinking,” Logan interrupted, looping his arm around my shoulders. “It’s perfect.”

Before I knew it, we were moving in. Mrs. Wentworth and one of the maids came with us; there wasn’t enough space here for Logan’s entire staff, but we didn’t feel the need for such extravagance. Besides, this way, each of them could have their own room; and there were still two bedrooms left for guests or if we ever had children.

In the meantime until we moved into the house, my parents and my sister called frequently to help with the wedding preparations, which was just a couple of months away by the time the house sale was finalized.

They were all a huge help with the preparations; but of course, my dad insisted on hiring the best wedding planner we could find. I didn’t argue, if only because I didn’t have much time for wedding preparations myself, and neither did Logan.

A week after we moved in, though, and once we had situated all of our things, it was time for a housewarming party. The wedding was just a month away, but I had insisted on holding the party anyway; it was a sort of wedding shower, too.

“Did you remember to pick up the stuff for the charcuterie board?” I asked as Logan walked into the kitchen.

He grinned, his arms full of grocery bags. “Like I would ever forget,” he teased as he plopped the bags down on the granite countertop. “I got some extra stuff, too.”

I furrowed my brow as I peered into the bags, pulling out several large pineapples. “I can see that,” I laughed. “Logan, what the hell are we supposed to do with all of these pineapples?”

“Oh, those were my request,” Mrs. Wentworth said as she scurried into the room. “Pineapple upside down cake.”

“It’s her specialty,” Logan added with a wink.

I was just about to respond when there was a sudden knock on the front door. I made my way over to the door, my eyes widening when I peered through the small window and saw my parents and my sister standing on the front step.

“Mom? Dad? Daisy?” I asked as I swung the door open. “You’re here already!”

Without preamble, Daisy threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I hadn’t seen her in person in months now, and I wasted no time in hugging her back. I twirled her around, reveling in the sound of her giggles as she floated through the air.

“The hotel let us check in early,” my father explained as he walked in, holding a bouquet of vibrant flowers. He leaned down and planted a warm kiss on my cheek. “These are for you, love.”

I couldn’t help but smile. My mother came in after him and threw her arms around me, pulling me in for the tightest hug I had had in a while.

“Ella, darling, this place is beautiful!” she exclaimed, pulling back to look around the room. “You and Logan have done wonders with it.”

I smiled, feeling a swell of pride. “Thanks, Mom. It feels right, you know? Like it’s really ours.”

My father, ever the stoic, gave a nod of approval. “It’s a good start for both of you. A solid foundation.”

As the evening progressed, friends and colleagues slowly filled our home, each bringing their own warmth and well-wishes. Logan was a perfect host, charming and attentive, ensuring everyone felt welcome. We circulated through the crowd together, our hands often finding each other whenever we could.

In one corner, Sarah and a group of our colleagues from the law firm were engaged in a lively conversation. I joined them, laughing as they shared stories from the office.

“Ella, you’ve got to tell us how Logan proposed,” Sarah said, even though I knew she already knew the story. “Was it super romantic?”

I recounted the proposal, my cheeks flushing as I remembered the moment. “It was unexpected, really. Right on the front lawn of his old house. Five seconds after the realtor put the for-sale sign up.”

“He’s full of surprises, that one,” remarked one of our colleagues, Mark. “But it’s clear he adores you.”

The evening wore on, the bright sky eventually turning into a dark indigo as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The party eventually sprawled out onto the patio, where we had a fire pit set up.

Needing a moment away from the crowd, I made my way over to the bench swing beneath the large tree in the yard. I found Daisy sitting there by herself, using one foot to push herself back and forth as she stared up at the sky. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders. She looked so much like Moana.

“Need some company?” I asked, not waiting for a response before I sat next to her.

Daisy shot me a smile and scooched over to make room. We sat there in silence for a few moments before she finally spoke up.

“Do you think I’ll ever find my fated mate someday?”

Her question took me by surprise. I blinked, averting my gaze from the night sky to look at her.

“Daisy, you’re so young,” I said gently. “What’s got you thinking about that already?”

She shrugged. “I dunno. You and Logan just seem so happy. I hope I can find true love like that someday.”

I paused, taking in a deep breath as I reached out to touch my sister’s hand. Her eyes met mine, and in that moment, she looked like a little girl, just like I remembered her from when I was a kid. It was an instant reminder of how much danger she had unwittingly been in not long ago. I still hadn’t told her. I hadn’t told anyone, actually. I couldn’t bear to.

“You’ll find someone,” I found myself saying. But the words felt distant, inauthentic.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, noticing my hesitation.

I shook my head. “Daisy, finding love isn’t the most important thing in life,” I said softly. “You’ll accomplish so much in your life; worry instead about your education, your career… You’ve got your whole life ahead of you to find love.”

As I spoke, I hadn’t realized it, but tears had begun to gather in my eyes. Daisy, always the astute one out of the two of us, leaned forward and looked at me with a curious expression.

“Are you crying, sis?”

I blinked, lifting my hand to touch the soft space under my eyes. It was damp. I couldn’t help but chuckle, though. “I guess I am,” I whispered.

“Why?” she asked, punching my arm. “Don’t go soft on me, Ella.”

I laughed. “Hey, watch it,” I muttered, punching her back. “I’m still bigger than you.”

“Not for long. I’ve started beating the boys at Alpha training. I’ll beat you next.”

“Oh?” I asked, grinning as I looped my arm around my sister’s neck and pulled her close, ruffling her hair. “Try me.”

Daisy and I both laughed. I didn’t realize it at the moment, but Moana had been watching; she had snapped a picture. A few days later, she would give me the printed-out picture, and I would frame it and hang it on my office wall forever.

But right now, pictures didn’t matter. All that mattered was this moment, right now, with my sister.

And even more than that—she was safe. And happy. And we were together, despite everything.

Later that night, the party continued. The fire continued to blaze in the fire pit, and although many of the guests left for the night, my family and Sarah stayed. I got to watch Sarah and Clara get to know each other, and everyone got to enjoy Mrs. Wentworth’s signature pineapple upside down cake.

But then, something seemed to shift when Logan’s phone rang.

His expression changed almost imperceptibly as he glanced at the screen, a furrow forming on his brow. With a quick, apologetic smile to the group, he excused himself and walked into the house.

Curiosity piqued, I excused myself and followed him.

I found him in the study, his voice low but clear as he spoke into the phone. I paused at the doorway, out of sight but within earshot.

“So, Marina and Harry… They’re taken care of?”