Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[24]

Ellie's POV

3 year later. 2020

I grabbed my backpack and zipped it up all the way.
We don't live in the penthouse anymore.
Daddy bought a really big house. Like, big big. It has stairs that echo when you run down them and a yard where my puppy can chase leaves. We moved to a quiet neighborhood—not the city, but close enough that Daddy can still get to work fast.
I had to change schools too.
Jenna is kind of like my second mom now. She makes sure I eat breakfast and reminds Daddy when he forgets things. My old adoptive father, Henry Locks, is in rehab. When we went to court, I didn't want him to go to jail. I just wanted him to get better. So I said rehab and community service was enough.
Daddy told me that was very brave.
I also found out my real daddy—Antonio Smith—is a really important CEO. I don't fully understand what that means, but I know people recognize his name. On my sixth birthday, he took me to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. On my seventh, I got a puppy.
Now I'm eight.
And for my birthday this year, Daddy gave me a shopping spree. Best. Day. Ever.
"Baby, we're going to be late if you don't hurry," Daddy called while putting on his jacket.
"I'm coming!" I yelled.
I ran past the butler and the maids, waved really fast, and slid to a stop by the door.
"I made it," I said, out of breath.
"If you woke up earlier," Daddy said, smiling.
In the car, I asked, "How's my outfit?"
"You look great," he said.
I don't have trouble talking anymore. My selective mutism is gone. Daddy says I grew out of my shell.
When he dropped me off at school, I waved really big.
"Bye, Daddy!"
"Don't forget—we're meeting your grandmother later," he said.
I nodded and walked inside.
My first class was art.
"Let's welcome our new student," the teacher said.
"Hi, I'm Eliana Smith," I said, smiling.
People whispered. I heard my last name a lot. Daddy put me in a normal school because he didn't want me to turn into a spoiled rich kid. I actually like it better here. The fancy kids always look at you like you're weird.
I sat next to a blond boy in the corner.
"Hello!" I said.
He stared at me like I was a painting.
I turned away. Jenna says not everyone knows how to be polite.
Later, he apologized.
"I'm Aidan," he said.
"I'm Ellie," I smiled.
He told me I was pretty, which made my cheeks warm.
At recess, we climbed the big play structure and made a secret handshake. He was funny—kind of like Uncle Mat. Everything was going perfect.
Until a girl with shiny blond hair walked up.
"Give me that," she said, yanking the bracelet I was holding.
It snapped. Beads rolled everywhere.
"I was making that for my dad," I said quietly.
She crossed her arms. "My mom's the principal."
Aidan stepped in front of me. "That's not nice."
She stomped her foot.
I clenched my fists.
I wasn't scared.
I wasn't small anymore

revision: 3.10.26