I’m ready, she said. Wait, Marissa said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.
I wrote this for you. If you feel nervous or scared when you get there, read it.
Elena took the paper and hugged her friend tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything, for believing in me.
Go show them who you really are,” Marissa said. “And call me the second it’s over.
I want to hear everything. Also remember that you either use this to build your life back or you end up where he wanted you to be.
The choice is yours, Elena.” The drive to the Grand View estate took 30 minutes.
Elena sat in the back of the sleek black car, watching the city lights pass by her window.
As they drove higher up the hill toward the mansion, the houses got bigger and bigger, the lawns more perfectly manicured.
Finally, they pulled up to a massive iron gate with gold details. The driver spoke to a security guard, and the gates swung open slowly.
Elena’s heart started beating faster. The mansion itself was enormous, like something out of a fairy tale.
It was three stories tall with huge white columns, massive windows that glowed with warm light, and a fountain in the center of the circular driveway that shot water 20 ft into the air.
The car pulled up to the entrance and a valet in a crisp uniform opened Elena’s door.
“Good evening, ma’am,” he said politely, offering his hand to help her out. Elena took his hand and stepped out of the car.
The moment her heels touched the ground, she felt several people turn to look at her.
She stood up straight, remembering everything Marissa had taught her. Head high, shoulders back, confident steps.
