I looked at Deidre and felt a sudden rage boiling up inside me like magical ingredients overflowing from a witch's cauldron.
I remembered the shame, sadness and uncertainty I had felt when I was living with Deidre. I felt shame because of the pity she would show towards my disability. I felt sadness because of her inability to accept me for who I was. And I felt uncertainty because I knew she didn't love me - she just wanted the money she got for fostering me. At any time I felt like she could get bored with me and I could be herded like a sheep to my next home.
In a voice that was dripping with undisguised hostility I said,"I will never return to you after you regaled me for years with your blasphemous ideas about disability."
With an exasperated air, I flounced out of the Principal's office and into the corridor. I continued down the banner-lined hallway, seething at the injustice of my unholy predicament. As I neared the silver front door, Renesmee catapulted out of the English class room and into my waiting arms.
"What's wrong?" asked Renesmee with concern.
"My foster mother is back and she wants to take me," I exclaimed.
"Don't worry, our family will know what to do. Let's get out of here."
Together, we raced out the front of Forks High. Waiting in the carpark was Emmett's jeep.
Alice stepped out of the jeep and looked at us with a worried expression.
"I saw what happened with your foster mother," said Alice.
I knew when Alice said 'saw', she was referring to her gift of foresight.
"Don't worry, we'll sort this out as a family. Let's go home."
We drove back to the pearlescent white cottage that was now my home.
As we made our way into the airy lounge room, I saw all the members of the Cullen family gathered within its ivory walls.
Due to Edward's mind-reading ability, I knew that all of the Cullens would be aware of my plight with Deidre.
"There has to be something we can do," said Renesmee, with tears running down her face. "Ella can't go back to that deplorable woman."
Carlisle rose from his position on the merlot coloured armchair. He walked over to me and placed a reassuring arm on my shoulder.
"No one is going to take you away from us," he said. "I have an idea that will prevent Deidre or anyone else from claiming you. Bella, Edward, you need to take Ella to Seattle. J Jenks has some important paperwork for Ella."
Bella, Edward, Renesmee and I drove along the tree-lined streets on our way towards Seattle.
As the sun set behind the city skyline, we pulled up outside an expensive looking restaurant. Stepping inside, I noticed tables covered with snowy white tablecloths, an expanse of windows overlooking the water and fairy lights creating a calm atmosphere. Seated at a table in the corner of the room was a well-dressed business man.
As we approached, he stood and smiled.
"Welcome. Please take a seat," he said, in a deeply melodious voice."I'm J.Jenks, the Cullen's lawyer. It's lovely to meet you Ella. I've moved one of the chairs out of the way so you can fit your wheelchair."
I felt impressed that J.Jenks had thought about the fact that I was in a wheelchair and how I would be able to sit at the table. I manoeuvred my wheelchair into the space opposite J.Jenks. Bella, Edward and Renesmee sat down around me at the table.
J. Jenks handed me a large white envelope.
If you want to know the solution to your problem, open this envelope..."
Soundtrack:
While I was writing this chapter, I was listening to:
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