The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 6

After getting her mother settled in the hospital, Ondine agonized for a while before finally sending Ellis a text.

[Text me when you wake up. I need to talk to you.]

It wasn’t until two-thirty in the afternoon that he finally replied.

[Babe, sorry, I was at a friend’s birthday party last night. We went out for karaoke and it got pretty late. Everyone was there, so I couldn’t just leave early.]

Ondine’s mind was consumed with finding money for her mother’s treatment. Ellis’s lies and games felt distant, almost numb. She stepped out of the hospital room and into the hallway to call him.

His voice was low and husky with sleep when he answered. “Babe…”

Hearing him call her that used to make her heart flutter. Now, knowing the truth, it just filled her with disgust.

“Ellis,” she said, her tone serious and detached.

“What’s wrong, babe?” he purred, still trying to charm her. “Why aren’t you calling me ‘my love’? Are you mad that I got home late last night? I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again. Don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Ondine took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Ellis, can you lend me some money?”

There was a pause on the other end. He clearly hadn’t expected that. “Why are you suddenly asking for money?” he finally said. “You know I… my family’s not well off. I don’t really have any money…”

A knot formed in Ondine’s chest. “Ellis,” she said, her voice strained, “my mom is sick and she needs money urgently. Can you please try to find a way to help me? I’ll sign a loan agreement. I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Silence again. He was thinking it over.

She waited. Each second stretched into an eternity.

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