Ellie’s pov

“Mom, why do you have to rush off right after the wedding ceremony this morning? It all happened so fast and now everything feels shifted with Marcus here as part of the family,” I said, standing in the doorway of the master bedroom watching her throw clothes into her suitcase with quick hands.

The small wedding had taken place just hours earlier that same day with close family, flowers filling the air, and a simple cake on the dining table that we had barely touched.

Marcus, my new stepfather at forty eight years old, leaned against the wall looking every bit handsome and in control with his shirt...