
When Ella Stopped Being Ella
Joy Brown · Completed · 7.6k Words
Introduction
And I'm the prime suspect.
I thought Lucy was the only one on my side, but there's always panic in her eyes. Black stockings showing up in my closet, red marks on my wrists I can't explain, texts sent from my phone that I never wrote...
The evidence keeps piling up, choking me.
My memory's slipping, the same broken nightmares on repeat. Strange perfume, cruel words, and the name "Leah" that won't leave my head.
Who is lying? Who's pulling the strings?
I can't tell what's real anymore. All I know is everyone's lying to me.
I need to find who's behind this before it destroys me.
Chapter 1
Ella's POV
"Ella White? This is Detective Marcus Rossi from the police department."
My heart clenched, fingertips turning ice-cold in an instant. A police call in the dead of night never meant good news.
I gripped the receiver, my voice trembling uncontrollably. "Yes, that's me. What happened?"
"Is Sebastian Cole your husband? He's dead." Rossi's voice was flat, emotionless. "Found in the warehouse at his private dock. No pulse. Come down to the station now. We need you to cooperate with the investigation."
I didn't hear anything after that. The receiver buzzed with static, mixing with the rain and pounding in my skull.
Sebastian was dead?
I stood frozen until Rossi called my name repeatedly on the other end. Only then did I choke out a sob and hang up.
I grabbed my coat, snatched an umbrella, and rushed out. My mind was chaos—Sebastian's face everywhere. His smile when he sweet-talked me, his fury when he screamed, his promises to take care of me forever. It all crashed together, suffocating me.
The dock was already cordoned off with police tape. Red and blue lights flashed through the rain, casting eerie shadows on the slick ground.
I rushed forward but was stopped by an officer. After tearfully giving my name, he reluctantly let me through.
A man in a dark trench coat stood by the warehouse entrance, smoking. The rain immediately dampened the smoke as it left his cigarette. He turned—eyes sharp as knives. Detective Rossi, no doubt.
"Ms. White, holding up?" He stubbed out the cigarette, his tone softer than on the phone, but those scrutinizing eyes didn't ease up one bit.
I shook my head and stared at the warehouse door, wanting to rush in. He blocked me with one arm. "Can't go in there. We'll talk here." He pulled out a notebook and pen. "Between eight and ten tonight, where were you? What were you doing?"
"I was home grading essays, waiting for him to come back." I tried to steady my voice, but it came out broken. "He said he was going to the warehouse to check inventory. Didn't say when he'd be back."
"Anyone who can verify that?"
"I live alone." I paused, my mind foggy. "Lucy came by in the afternoon, left around six."
Rossi scribbled in his notebook, the scratch of pen on paper unnaturally loud in the rain. "Why did he go to the warehouse at night? Who was he meeting?"
"I don't know." I bit my lip as tears finally spilled over. "He never told me about work stuff. Just said he had a shipment that had to be cleared tonight."
Just then, hurried footsteps approached. Lucy ran over with a pink umbrella, immediately throwing her arms around me when she saw me, squeezing so tight she nearly crushed me. "Ella! I came as soon as I heard—I'm so sorry I'm late!" Her voice was thick with tears and concern. "Don't be scared. I'm here with you."
I collapsed into her arms, sobbing. She was my only friend in Harper Harbor, my only support. She rubbed my back, murmuring comfort.
"Ms. Green," Rossi's voice cut in, interrupting us. "Where were you after six tonight?"
Lucy kept her arm around my shoulders as she turned to face him, her expression a mix of grief and anger. "I went home! Straight home after leaving Ella. My neighbors can vouch for that. Who did this to Sebastian? This is horrible!"
Rossi didn't respond, just nodded and asked me more questions about Sebastian's social circle. I shook my head to all of them.
I knew nothing about his world. He never introduced me to his friends or clients, just kept me at home.
By one in the morning, Rossi finally let us go.
Lucy supported me—I was limp as a rag doll—and hailed a cab back to the apartment. Opening the door, everything was exactly as I'd left it. But the person who always came home late would never return again.
Lucy poured me hot water and ran a bath. "Take a bath and get some sleep. I'll handle everything." She sat beside me, holding my hand, her eyes impossibly gentle.
I nodded numbly and went to the bathroom. The hot water eased the chill from my body, but the ache in my heart didn't lessen one bit.
Eyes closed, Sebastian's face and Rossi's stare kept flashing through my mind. I had no idea when this nightmare would end, or who had killed him.
After bathing, I went to the bedroom to change. Opening the dresser drawer, a pair of black stockings lay conspicuously next to my cotton socks.
They weren't mine. I never wore things like that, especially not tight black stockings.
I reached out to touch them. The moment the cool, smooth fabric met my fingertips, a sharp pain shot through my head, my stomach churning violently.
Fragments flashed before my eyes—dim lights, nauseating perfume, Sebastian's cold voice cursing in my ear. I shook uncontrollably, nearly losing my balance.
"Ella? What's wrong?" Lucy heard the commotion and rushed in. Seeing me staring at the drawer, deathly pale, she glanced at the black stockings. Her eyes flickered with panic for a split second—so fast it might have been my imagination.
"Whose are these?" I pointed at the stockings, my voice hoarse.
Lucy walked over and picked them up, putting on a look of sudden realization. "Oh, they're mine! I left them here last time I stayed over. Thought I'd lost them."
She quickly stuffed the stockings into her bag and shut the drawer. "Come on, get changed and sleep. Stop overthinking. I'm here."
I watched her back, doubt gnawing at me.
Lucy didn't wear black stockings either. She only ever wore light-colored cotton socks. And her last sleepover was a month ago—she was only remembering to look for them now?
Last Chapters
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He didn't finish. He didn't need to.
I didn't tell him to stop.
Instead, my fingers curled into his shirt, clutching the fabric as though it was my only anchor. Something in him snapped—something he had been holding back for too long. His mouth found mine in a kiss that wasn't tender, but hungry, desperate.
I gasped into him, his hand sliding up to cup my jaw, holding me as if afraid I might vanish.
"You drive me insane," he breathed against my mouth, his lips trailing to my throat. "I can't lose you, Ella. Not you."
My head fell back, a soft sound escaping me as his fingers memorized my waist. My anger melted beneath his desperation.
"James..." I whispered, more plea than protest.
His hand caught mine, fingers threading together tightly. "I'll bring him back. I swear it. Just... don't turn away from me. Please."
The word please—low, ragged, almost broken—undid me more than anything else could have.
Ella never imagined she would marry the man she had secretly loved for years in such a way.
When her brother Theo faced twenty-five years in prison for massive embezzlement, the ruthless business tycoon James Lancaster offered her a deal: marry him in exchange for her brother's freedom.
This wasn't a fairy tale proposal, but a carefully orchestrated revenge. Because in James's heart, Ella was the culprit who had killed his sister Cecilia. He wanted her to pay the price—to atone with a lifetime of suffering.
From Substitute To Queen
Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.
Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.
In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?
From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
The Heir of Flame and Fang
Please note: this story contains strong language and mature scenes.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
The first book is The Matchmaker.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy.
The mafia princess return
Ruined : You will always be mine.
“Fuckkk”, I couldn’t help but scream.
“You need to learn to be obedient” he said as he kept thrusting into me. When I felt his hands on my clit my body shook.
“Asher please, it’s too much”.
“No. if I really wanted to punish you, I would give you all of me”, he said against my ears and my entire body froze. Suddenly he moved and I was standing again. This man was insane.
I felt him behind me. “Ten Lashes for your disobedience”, he said
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“No”. His voice was cold and void of any emotion.
Asher was what I wanted , what I truly craved until it was too late. An orphan should never fall in love with someone out of their reach. I thought loving him was the right thing to do until he revealed his true identity and Ruined me. I was ruined for everyone one else . I could still feel his touch, it was as if it was etched into my skin. I tired to avoid him but fate wouldn't let it happen.
The Sterling's were the most powerful in Havenwood and Dorian Sterling was off limits.
As an orphan finding out you still have people looking for you is hard to take but when it turns out to be people of wealth and standing I took the other road and ran, but running led me right back to the place I was avoiding and the person I was avoiding.
Asher and Dorling Sterling one and the same. When his first love shows up and along with everyone that has set out to ruin me, I prayed that he could protect me.
BROKEN TRUST
Neither of them knew she was carrying his child.
Emily’s affair didn’t just end her marriage—it erased the life she thought was guaranteed. Ryan left without looking back, carrying his anger like armor and leaving Emily alone with regret she would never outrun. Three years later, fate drags them back into each other’s world, along with a little girl who has Ryan’s eyes and a truth that shatters everything he thought he knew.
Old wounds reopen, grief masquerades as rage, and love refuses to stay buried. As parenthood binds them together and the past demands accountability, Emily and Ryan must face the question neither of them is ready to answer: is broken trust the end of their story… or the beginning of a love forged through loss, forgiveness, and brutal honesty?
Timeless Us
The world she knew is gone.
Her husband, Nathan, is no longer the young man she left behind—he’s successful, respected, and living with a new family.
But when the woman who disappeared twenty-three years ago suddenly returns…
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Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
The Alpha's Stripper Mate
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"Dance on my lap."
My head screamed at me to turn around and run. But my whole body responded to his command.
"Yes, Alpha," I pulled my dress over my body, it dropped over my head and fell to the ground behind me. I was left in nothing but my matching bra and thong. My hands covered my chest on reflex.
"Let me see."
My hands dropped to my sides.
I lowered myself into his lap, facing him. His eyes peered into mine, and I could feel his hot breath fan my face. His dick responded to all my moves, hardening against my now-moist vagina. I swallowed hard, allowing my lips to part in a ragged breath. His hands trailed up to my waist.
"No touching."
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Cursed Beauty and her Three Alpha Mates
Cast out by her pack for being wolfless and plagued by uncontrollable heat, Maya has spent her life surviving humiliation in silence.
Fate drags her into the path of Kael Draven, the ruthless Lycan King who claims her… only to reject her.
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Three claims.
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A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
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A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
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A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
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