Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Ella sat on the edge of her bed, an empty pill bottle in one hand, a vial of clear fluid in the other.

She thought back through the plan as Bart had explained it to her. She’d sent the text to Mary and then placed her phone in the drawer where she could easily find it. Hopefully, her friend would get there first, or else her dad could figure out she and Bart were up to something.

The note was on her nightstand. It had seemed so weird to write to her family as if she were actually about to take her own life, something she’d never even considered before, not even when she was locked in the attic. It seemed like there was always something to live for. But thoughts of what life would be like if Rome was no longer in it made it much more reasonable to understand why someone might decide to end it all.

She glanced over the note, wondering what her dad would say when he saw it. Even a few weeks ago, it would’ve broken her heart to even consider causing her father any sort of pain. But she’d seen a side of him recently she never would’ve fathomed existed before. Would he cry when he read it, or would he just be angry that he missed out on an opportunity to strengthen an alliance?

Dear Dad,

If you’re reading this, then I’ve gone through with it and ended it all. Since you’ve refused to allow me to make my own choices and be with the man I love, I’ve decided I’d rather not live at all. I hope that you will accept your choices that have forced me and will continue on with your life. It’s hard for me to think that you will mind much since you didn’t care enough about me to want me to live the life I wanted to. Be happy in the life that you’ve chosen, and do your best to reach out to Rome’s family to let them know this absurd feud is over. Do not continue it on my account. I am just another victim of your vanity.

Sincerely,

Ella Verona

It was clear by her word choices how she felt--that she wasn’t pulling any punches with him. He’d likely never heard her speak that way before, but then, he hadn’t done much listening in his lifetime, not to her or anyone else.

Satisfied that she’d done what she could do and that it was now all left up to Bart, Mary, and fate, Ella studied the vial. She’d have to put it somewhere that Mary would see it when she walked in so that she could hide it. Bart hadn’t mentioned that. Perhaps she should try to hide it herself…. If she tried to put it with her phone, she’d never make it back to the bed in time.

Deciding she could no longer worry about that, Ella took a sip of water from the glass next to Teresa’s empty pill bottle, took off the lid so it would seem more likely that’s what she’d taken, and removed the top of the vial.

Slowly, she raised the vial to her mouth. The liquid was bitter; she could smell that before it even parted her lips. Ella swallowed it back and lay down on her pillows in one fluid motion, putting the lid back on so it didn't get lost.

Almost immediately, the world became fuzzy at the edges. She felt her breathing become more and more shallow as her heartbeat slowed. Ella felt herself slipping away into oblivion. Her last thoughts were of Rome. She prayed she’d be alive again before he heard about any of this. Otherwise, she might open her eyes to a world where there was no Rome.

Mary had a key and knew the code to the alarm system that secured the door. It had been enough to get her into Ella’s room earlier, but it wouldn’t work for her purposes now because it wouldn’t explain what she was doing there to her former employers who would come running once they heard her scream.

She gave a soft tap on the door. Her text earlier to Roger would’ve been enough for him to expect her, though he didn’t know what she wanted. He was probably hoping she wanted something more, but he would be disappointed.

“Hey, beautiful. You need a morning roll in the hay?” the butler asked.

Mary smiled at him. They had fooled around quite a bit when she still worked here, but since she no longer did, she hadn’t gone out of her way to visit him. Until yesterday. Knowing she’d need his help to get back in the house after Ella’s text, she had made a point of enticing him while she was there swiping Teresa’s pill bottle and putting it in Ella’s room so she could find it. She’d done all that while the family was at Tim’s parents’ house for the funeral luncheon, so she was certain they wouldn’t have caught her anyway, but it was just as well Roger thought she was only there for him.

“Thanks for coming to let me in,” she said, pecking him quickly on the lips. He wanted more, but he’d have to wait--a long time. Once they all thought Ella was dead, she would probably never step foot in this house again. Bart had it all arranged so they’d get Ella as soon as she woke up and the three of them would be on a plane to Italy. “I got a message from Ella, and I’m worried about her.” She pushed past him into the kitchen.

“I’m sure she’s fine. Just missing that man she’s dating. Besides, I thought she didn’t have a phone.”

“I don’t know about any of that. Let me go check on her, and then I’ll meet you in the broom closet.” She dragged one finger down his cheek, knowing that would be enough to have his mouth-watering.

“Okay.” He smiled at her with a longing in his eyes that would’ve made her laugh if she wasn’t trying so hard to be serious.

Mary headed up the backstairs, trying to be quiet. It was only around 7:00 in the morning, so she knew that Mrs. Sinders and the two girls would be asleep, but she had no idea what time Ella’s dad would be up.

She reached Ella’s door and took a deep breath. When she entered that room, she’d see the body of one of her best friends in the world, and she’d look like she was dead. As far as Mary could tell, she’d seem dead in every way. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this, but she had to go through with it anyway.

Without knocking, she turned the handle, glad it wasn’t locked. She’d seen guards outside of the house but none in here so far. Mary pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Ella?”

She was lying on the bed, still, her eyes closed. Mary crept across the room and looked down at her. Her face was pale, her dark hair falling over the side of her face, her chest not moving at all. Mary covered her mouth for a moment. The girl looked dead—that was for certain. A brief flicker of her fingers over Ella’s skin told her she felt dead, too. Cold. Unmoving. Stiff. Carefully, Mary placed her hand on Ella’s chest. It was as if her heart wasn’t beating at all. No air seemed to be coming in and out of her lungs either.

If she didn’t know better, she’d swear Ella was dead. And even though she did know better, she still thought there was a chance she was dead.

Mary saw the vial next to her and quickly scooped it up. Then, she hurried to the dresser and found Ella’s phone, sliding it into a secret pocket on the inside of the hem of her shirt, just in case Mr. Sinders and his men got a little pushy.

The note and bottle were in place. Ella definitely seemed dead. Now, it was time for Mary to convince them she was. It shouldn’t be hard under the circumstances.

Mary sucked in a deep breath and then let out a bloodcurdling scream.