No, going directly to the source was what she needed to do. It was the right thing to do. It was the only real option she had.
All she had to do was finish packing this bag and go to New York City, and considering that the only thing left to add was her hairbrush, she was ready.
After checking she had everything, she pulled the zipper shut. The bag was old and well abused, but the zipper was still strong. It would make the trip. Ella took one last deep breath, picked up her bag, and turned to the door.
Where Delores stood watching her.
“What do you think you're doing?” Delores's green eyes were narrow and her bony cheeks flushed with anger. She took a step into the room, dropping the temperature by ten degrees.
This is your moment, Ella told herself. Stiffen that backbone.
“I'm leaving.” Ella's voice was stronger than she expected, even though her hands were starting to shake. It was a good thing Delores was blocking the door, because Ella couldn't have moved her feet at that moment anyway.
“You ungrateful, spoiled, insolent brat!” Delores hissed. Fire raged in her green eyes. If looks could kill, Ella would be dead and buried.
“Ungrateful? Insolent?” Ella took a step back. Anger sprang up hot in her stomach. For the first time in her life, Ella didn't back down. “How in the world am I spoiled? I work sixty hour weeks for almost no pay. I work my fingers to the bone for you, yet you have never even given me so much as a kind word. No good job for getting the billionaire's wedding, no pat on the bat for making sure it went off without a hitch. Nothing. If anything, it's you that is spoiled.”
“You rotten little bitch,” Delores screamed. “I'll fire you. I'll have you kicked out of here by the police!”
“Do it.” Ella stood up a little taller. The realization that Delores needed her and not the other way around hit her. “You can't run this place without me and you know it. You're scared that I'll leave and you'll actually have to do the work yourself.”
“How dare you? After all I've done for you?” Delores was practically frothing at the mouth. Anger had her spitting and her hair was coming out of its neat bun on the top of her head. “How dare you!!”
A strange calm settled over Ella. Delores couldn't touch her. So what if Delores fired her? So what if she kicked her out? Ella deserved better than what she got here. The inn would either survive or it would go up for sale. As soon as it did, Ella would purchase it and do all the things she'd always wanted to do.
“I'm leaving,” Ella said, her tone cool and calm. She was surprised that her hands weren't shaking. She picked up her suitcase and squared her shoulders. “Get out of my way, please.”
“You can't.” Delores stared at her as if she were speaking a foreign language. The tan powder of her makeup was harsh against her paling skin. Everything was going white except for her cheeks which were somehow turning pinker.
Her father never meant for her to be treated like this. His wish was for them to be a family, not for Delores to torment her. This wasn't what her father wanted. She was right to leave.
“I can and I am.” Ella moved to right in front of the door. Delores would either have to move or be run over. “I'm leaving. You can find someone else to be your punching bag. I quit.”
Delores didn't move, so Ella simply went around her. She did her best not to knock the woman over, but the door was small and the suitcase took up more room than Ella was expecting. Yet, she managed to get out without feeling guilty.
She took three steps before the panic of what she was doing sunk in. Then four more for her to realize there was nothing she could do about it. She was suddenly giddy, anxious, excited, and overwhelmed all at once.
For years, Ella had dreamed of telling her stepmother to jump in a lake. And now, she had actually done it. And done it well! Pride in herself and her own strength bubbled up, overtaking the negative emotions. She was free.
“Way to go,” Allison congratulated her as Ella jumped off the bottom step of the staircase. “She's had that coming for a long time.”
“You heard that?” Embarrassment flushed over Ella. She never intended for anyone else to be a part of her exit strategy.
“Ella, I'm pretty sure the next county over heard you.” Allison grinned and looked at her suitcase. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Ella almost kept walking but didn't. She stopped and gave her stepsister a hug. It took a moment for Allison to return the gesture, but she did.
“Get out of here before Mom realizes what just happened,” Allison told her. “Keep in touch.”
“I will,” Ella promised. She flashed her sister one last grin before starting the walk to the front door. From there she could get a ride to the bus station and figure out what she was going to do once she reached New York City.