The War.

Chapter 46: Fear.

Ella sat in Stella's office, her mind racing. Despite Stella's repeated assurances that she wouldn't hurt her, Ella couldn't shake her mistrust.

"Ella," Stella called, snapping Ella out of her troubled thoughts. Ella looked up, her face trembling slightly.

"I'm not going to kill you. Stop," Stella said sternly, making Ella jump.

"I don't know how you expect me to believe that," Ella managed, her voice wavering.

Stella rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she muttered. "I need your help." She paused, and Ella raised an eyebrow, waiting. "What's your address?"

"Uh... I... I don't know," Ella mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"If you escaped, how would you get home?" Stella pressed.

"I... I don't know where I am, so I can't really answer that," she murmured.

Stella sighed, rolling her eyes as she walked over to her phone. She dialed a number, and the phone rang repeatedly. "Who are you calling?" Ella asked cautiously.

"Siobhan," Stella answered, her tone slightly annoyed.

Finally, someone picked up.

"Hello! Ooh, what's this?" a young, cheerful voice called out on the other end, sounding like a 7-year-old. Ella's eyes widened, recognizing the voice, and Stella noticed.

"Who is this?" Stella demanded, turning to Ella.

"It's my sister..." Ella replied reluctantly.

"Uh, hello? Ella, is that you? Ooh, this toy is fun!" Lila's voice chirped, excitedly.

Just as Stella was about to end the call, she heard a door opening on the other end.

"Let go of that," Siobhan's voice scolded, growing closer as she took the phone from Lila.

Stella quickly hung up. "Shit," she muttered under her breath.

---

"Why are you in here?" Siobhan asked Lila.

"Why is Ella trapped in that... that thing?" Lila asked, oblivious.

"She isn't. Now go," Siobhan said, shooing Lila out.

Once alone, Siobhan picked up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Stella's number.

"Stella?" she whispered, holding the phone close.

"Address," Stella demanded, and Siobhan blurted it out without hesitation. Before Siobhan could say anything further, Stella ended the call.

---

"Roger's old house. Of course," Stella said, a faint smirk forming. She waved over her assistant. "Go to this address," she commanded. The assistant nodded, leaving swiftly without needing further explanation.

Ella fought back tears as she looked at Stella, her breaths slow and shaky. "What," Stella demanded, noticing the shift in the room's energy.

"Please..." Ella pleaded. "You can't hurt her. She means the world to me."

"I don't care," Stella replied coldly, her tone unwavering.

Ella's lip quivered. "You really don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?" she managed, her tone laced with a hint of defiance.

Stella's glare intensified. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you," she said sharply, her voice like ice. Ella flinched, heart pounding at the sudden edge in Stella's voice.

"I... I'm sorry..." she murmured, her voice breaking. Stella simply rolled her eyes, dismissing Ella's pain without a second thought.

Stella knew Ella was right—she didn't care about anyone but herself. She always put herself first, maybe too much, but it wasn't as if she cared enough to change.