Behind Closed doors

Chapter 36

The White house

The hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses surrounded Kamala as she moved through the reception hall, offering smiles and brief words to senators and diplomats. But her mind wasn't truly in it. Not tonight.

Her gaze swept across the room until it landed on Ella.

Her stepdaughter stood near the Christmas tree, her arms crossed, her jaw tight, eyes stormy with emotion. Beside her, Cole had an unreadable expression, though he seemed more neutral than his sister.

Kamala took a steady breath and approached. "Ella."

Ella glanced at her, then looked away just as quickly, her grip tightening around the champagne flute in her hand.

Kamala lowered her voice. "Can we talk?"

Ella hesitated. For a second, Kamala thought she might refuse, but then, with a clipped nod, she agreed. "Fine."

Cole straightened. "I'm coming too."

Kamala gave him a small nod, leading the way through the halls of the White House. Her office felt quieter than usual when they entered, the weight of unspoken words pressing into the space. Kamala shut the door behind them, then turned, finding Ella already standing stiffly by the window.

Cole leaned against the desk, arms folded, watching.

Kamala exhaled slowly. "I know you're upset. And you have every right to be."

Ella scoffed. "That's an understatement."

Kamala winced but didn't let it deter her. "I want to explain. Not to justify anything—just to be honest with you."

Ella didn't say anything, but she didn't walk out either. That was something.

Kamala took a seat in one of the chairs, keeping her tone steady, her voice soft. "Doug and I... we haven't been in love for a long time." She looked between them. "I know you probably already sensed that."

Cole nodded slightly. Ella stayed silent.

Kamala continued, choosing her words carefully. "I still care about him. He's a good person. A good father. And I want us to remain on good terms. But I wasn't happy in our marriage. And he wasn't either."

Ella finally turned to face her. "Then why didn't you just leave him? Instead of—" She cut herself off, swallowing hard. "Instead of cheating?"

Kamala's chest tightened. She had expected the question, but it still hurt.

"I didn't plan for this to happen," she admitted. "I fought it for a long time. I told myself it was wrong. That it was impossible. But—" She hesitated, her voice almost breaking. "I fell in love with Lauren."

Ella flinched at the name, and Cole shifted, but neither interrupted.

Kamala pressed forward. "I tried to ignore it. I tried to push her away, and I even broke things off. But no matter how much I fought it, I couldn't change how I felt. And I won't stand here and tell you I regret loving her, because I don't. But I do regret hurting your dad. And I regret hurting you."

Ella looked away, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Kamala swallowed hard. "I know you're on his side, and I understand that. You should be. He's your dad." She took a breath. "But you're also my kids. You are. Maybe not by blood, but in every way that matters. And I don't want this to change that."

Ella's eyes snapped back to her, her expression wavering. "You cheated on our dad, Kamala. What did you expect?"

"I expected you to be angry. To hate me, even," Kamala admitted, her voice raw. "But I'm still here, because I love you. And I'm not walking away from that."