Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 23

Their eyes locked, and Alex felt a surge of irritation. “What are you trying to say?” he asked, his voice sharp.

Ellie stepped back, opening the door wider for him to leave. But he just stood there, staring at her.

She pressed on. “From the moment Carlos brought me into the Warren family, everyone has been kind to me. But no matter how nice you all are, it’s not my home.”“

“Do you really have the nerve to say that again? Alex’s expression darkened as he stepped closer.

Ellie instinctively backed away until she was near the living room sofa.

Tears streamed down her face, and she choked out, “Tll say it a hundred times, a thousand times–the Warren family has been good to me and you’ve all treated me well, but you’re not my family and that’s not my home.”

the trash can next to the coffee table with

quickly stepped back, putting some distance between

has supported you for years, and now I see you never

face as her emotions spiraled out of control. “If you really saw me

to me. And if you truly thought

into Alex’s palm. “I may not have much, and your gift is something I could never afford, but I really don’t

tightened his grip on Ellie’s wrist. “Tell me. What do you really

through as she replied, “My brother and I owe the Warren family, and we’ll pay it back. If we can’t do it all at once, we’ll pay in installments. We

This was the first time Ellie had spoken

her from picking up the broken computer on the floor. “Targue with my grandpa and my mom all the time, and they get over it

all her strength, Ellie yanked her wrist away from Alex’s grip, her determination stronger than when