[b]When Marken left the apartments, Ella went over to his wine cabinet and poured herself a glass from the bottle he opened, downing the glass quickly. It was just as dreadfully weak as the last wines Marken had given her, so it did little but burn a little as she swallowed.

Great. All Ella wanted right now was drink her problems away, and all Marken had was desert wine. Topping her drink off with a small sigh, Ella went to a nearby sofa and pulled her hair down, letting it rest at her shoulders.

When Marken came back inside, she gave him a smile, curling her feet under her dress as he complimented her. Hearing his words of genuine excitement twisted the knife in her heart, but she stayed silent and drank her wine.

Damn it, how was Ella going to kill Marken at this rate? Every time she thought that she could convince herself to kill him, he went and praised her, or reminded her that she wasn't as wonderful as he thought she was.[/b]