Little Angel

Chapter 15

Hi guys...so uh I have some news...I'm going to start working on my books again, I know you all have been asking if I'm okay and where I've been and I know a few weeks ago I said I would update. Well, I've been doing a lot of schoolwork here lately, to graduate very early this fall. I've also been just really busy with my own life and stuff and doing things. I have a girlfriend now who is my world and so much more. We had been talking since February, and I asked her out on April 26th, and we've been together since. We have one week until our one month and I love her more than anything. Other than that, I've also just had no motivation to write whatsoever. Every time I would log into my computer, I just didn't want to do it honestly. However, the motivation is coming back now so yay for you guys! Anyways if you're still here after all that time, I love and appreciate all of you and hope you're doing well!

No guarantees on a double update or a different book of mine being updated however I will try to write as much as I can. Enjoy!

Early Morning – The Kitchen, Just Before Sunrise

The house was quiet. The kind of quiet that settled over a family still mending bruised feelings and avoiding eye contact. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the soft amber glow from the under-cabinet lights painted the kitchen in a dim warmth. Lucas stood barefoot at the stove, sleeves rolled to his elbows, hair a mess, wearing the same hoodie from the day before. He hadn't slept.

The air smelled of vanilla and cinnamon. Pancakes. But not just any pancakes—Ella's favorite. Banana-chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries arranged in the shape of a smiley face. Lucas had even found the glittery pink plate she insisted on using for "very special" meals and set it out with her sparkly fork.

He poured another perfect circle of batter onto the griddle, jaw clenched, eyes distant. The events of the night before replayed over and over in his head—his voice raised, Ella's tear-streaked face, the way she had flinched when he'd stepped toward her. He'd messed up. Bad.

The guilt twisted in his gut. He flipped the pancake, letting the sizzle fill the silence, and exhaled hard. He didn't get to screw up like that. Not with her.

Footsteps padded down the hallway. Soft. Small. Hesitant.

Ella stood in the doorway in her pink unicorn pajamas, clutching her stuffed rabbit by one floppy ear. Her hair was a mess of sleepy curls, and her big eyes blinked at him—uncertain, unreadable.

She didn't run to him like she usually did.

Instead, she looked around, then quietly backed up as someone else's footsteps followed.

Aiden.

Still groggy, shirtless with pajama pants hanging low on his hips, Aiden appeared behind her. His hands automatically landed on Ella's shoulders protectively as she inched backward, half-hiding behind him.

Lucas turned.

Their eyes met. Not Ella's—Aiden's. The older boy's gaze was cool, guarded.

"Morning," Lucas offered softly, eyes shifting to Ella.

She didn't respond. Just stood there, gripping Aiden's hand now, eyes on the floor.

"I, uh..." Lucas cleared his throat and tried to smile, motioning toward the stove. "I made your favorite. Extra chocolate chips. Strawberries. Even the plate you like."

Ella didn't move.

Lucas swallowed.

"I'm sorry, Ella," he said, voice steady but low. "I shouldn't have yelled. I wasn't mad at you. I was... scared. And stressed. But that's no excuse. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."