Chapter 40
Wher face weren’t Aus ‘minor image, Stella would’ve rushed to a lab for
There was a knock. Stella glanced towards the door. Lionel entered with flowers plus fuit and snacks,
Stella quickly looked away, but Lionel approached. “Eleanor asked me to check on you before the headed home. Here are some tulips–your layonse
Stella stared blankly at the wall and remained silent
“Hungry?” Lionel set the stuff down. “Fruit?”
“Get out.” Her voice cracked like ice. “And take this crap away”
Lionel paused, but he didn’t finch, “I know you’re still furious. It’s gonna take time to make it right. But I’m not going up on you, Stella, Not ever?,
Stella turned to him, eyes for cold. Is your conscience eating at you?”
Lionel offered her some fruit. “Yeah, I was wrong to accuse you. These years were hell for me too. You’re back now Can’t we just move past this? We’re gonna be family.”
Stella looked out the window. “Hell for you? You got with Anna the second I was gone, flet you two were together all along, playing
“No. After your accident, Anna was wrecked. She’d show up drunk, sobbing about guilt, her health in shambles. One night, the spilled everything, and saw what I’d done. Then we both drank too much, I don’t even remember-
“Oh, please” Stella’s laugh was arctic. “You woke up in bed together, huh?”
Lionel admitted, “Yeah, both families happened to catch us. Anna collapsed, and they rushed her to the hospital. Max forced my hand, so we got together.
“Stella, some things… they just happen. If you hadn’t left, we would’ve been together, but now
Seeing through his game, Stella laughed bitterly. “If you want Anna, just say it. Quit taking regret, Lionel, You look pathetic.”
He tossed the ignored fruit onto the nightstand. “Stella, you know how I feel. I waited years for you to grow up, for us to be together”
She cut him off, voice cracking. “It took me this long to see you for who you really are. I was so blind, thinking you were my hero. Get out. I told y
d you! never wanna see you again.”
u always pushing me away? I’m trying to fix this,” Lionel pleaded.
“Why are you a
Stella snapped, “Fix what? Us?”
Before Lionel could say anything, she added, “Are you serious? You slept with Anna and still want me? How’s that gonna work? You might just cheat again. What ami to you?”
“No.” He didn’t flinch. “I’d treat you right. We’d move away, barely visit your family. Just… don’t marry Henry
Stella froze, stunned. Then her reply was ice. “We had nothing back then. We have nothing now. Get out, Lionel. Don’t make me repeat melt
“I’m not leaving” Lionel said firmly. “I’ll be here with you.”
“Fine,” Stella snapped. “Then I will” She tried to rise from the bed, but fury made her clutiny. She crashed to the floor.
Lionel reached for her, but she screamed, “don’t touch me.”
He froze, noticing her wet pants. “How’d you get wet? What happened?” He intended to reach for her pants.
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Chapter 40
“Don’t touch chef” she yelled.
Stella, why fight me? I just want in help,” he pleaded.
don’t need it. Get out
“eel spare pants? trould help,” Lionel offered. But Stella scanned the room, looking for something to chuck at him. Nothing
As she shifted, he saw the stain’s position. Shock widened his eyes. “Did you pee yourself?”
Stella’s dignity was shattered. “Damn right I did,” the sobbed. “Dusty Pines broke my body when I got healthier, learned control. But the beating undid it all. I can’t even walk now, so I pissed myself again. Happy now!!”
Stella, the stammered.
“Get out. Now,” she shricked.
Lionel thought about carrying her back to bed, but one look at her face changed his mind. He fied, slamming the door behind him.
Tears burned down Stella’s face. She’d sworn never to cry again–not after Middle–South Yaria and Dusty Pines. But this pain was
Two nurses arrived moments later. They changed her pants and settled her back into bed.
“Dr. Quinn brought these, one said gently before leaving. “If you need anything, you can ask us
Alone, Stella stared at the ceiling. Everything felt broken.
The next day, Stella woke up and found her pants were soaked again.
Memories flooded back–kids hurling rocks and insults when this happened in Dusty Pines. That shame had hollowed her out.
She hid it all back home, but her family still found out. They pretended concem, but their disgust leaked through. She didn’t know what she was breathing for. Only Fleanor stopped her from ending it all.
She grabbed her phone and ordered adult diapers. They’d get her through the hospital stay.
There was a knock on the door. Then Henry burst in, grinning, his arms full of gifts. “Stella, just heard you were here. Came running. How’s the pain?”
“How’s the pain? Still hurts, of course. Even with pills, Stella mocked inwardly.
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AD
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