Chapter 85
The security guard finally let out a sigh of relief.
Stella met his gaze head on. “Lionel, I only came out here not for you, but because I don’t want my husband coming home from work and still seeing you hanging around, messing up his mood.”
Lionel stared at Stella in disbelief.
“Just say whatever you came to say, then leave,” Stella said. Her voice was so calm that it was as if every last bit of feeling between them had been erased.
Lionel’s voice trembled. “Stella, you used to trust me with everything. Whenever something happened, I was always the first person you’d turn to.
“You even promised me that no matter what, we’d always stay together. So how did things end up like this between us?”
Stella let out a bitter laugh. “You’re the last person who should be saying that.
“Lionel, I thought you understood me. I thought you were the only one I could rely on in this world. But the moment those words left your mouth, I realized I’d put my trust in the wrong person.”
She continued, “Yes, we had a lot of happy times together. But now, looking back, all those memories just feel like a mockery of me. They mock me for being young and foolish, for trusting someone so easily.
“It hurts the most when the person you trusted the most is the one who betrays you.”
She paused and continued, “And of course, I’ll never forget how, when I was little and got sick, you carried me to the hospital on your back. You even said you became a doctor because of me.
first to stand up for me. So don’t ask me why
“And I’ll never forget how, whenever someone tried to bully me, you were always the first to sta I’ve changed. I never did. You’re the one who changed.”
“I’m so sorry,” Lionel said.
Stella snapped, “Don’t say that, no matter what happens, we’ll always be together. I was just too naïve. I never imagined you’d actually do something like that.
“Lionel, if you still have any shame left, then don’t stand here today making me sick.”
“No, Stella, I went back and talked to Anna yesterday, but she tried to kill herself. I really had no choice. I only went along with it to keep her from breaking down. You know I never actually liked her,” Lionel explained.
Stella finally came outside.
At that moment, Jordan’s car pulled up. He parked and quietly watched everything from inside.
The security guard, who’d just relaxed, tensed up again,
“Wait? What’s happening? is Mrs. Erwin really moved by Dr. Quinn and planning to leave with him? No way, he wondered. “No, please, don’t.
‘If she leaves now, it’ll break Mr. Erwin’s heart. He’s just started smiling again.
“Stella?” Thinking he’d finally touched her heart, Lionel watched her expectantly, his eyes full of hope.
With a sharp smack, Stella slapped Lionel hard across the face. Liortel just stood there, completely stunned.
Her tone was cold as Stella said, “What are you trying to say now? That you like me? That you love me? Lionel, do you really thinki you’re even worthy? If I hadn’t escaped from that hospital, I’d be dead already.
“Who nearly
got me killed? It was you. Do I really need to remind you again? You never even tried to get me the blood I needed. You just stood there and watched, waiting for me to die.”
She continued, “And now you have the nerve to come here and say you like me, that you love me? You seriously have no shame left at all.”
Even the security guard looked at Lionel like he was trash.
‘Damn, I really want to cuss him out,‘ the guard thought. ‘He is totally a son of bitch. How could anyone do something so messed up?”
Stella sneered, “Don’t bother explaining things between you and Anna. That’s never been my concern. And just so you know, I said what I did yesterday on purpose.
“I knew Anna would never call off the engagement, and I knew you’d always give in to her. Don’t even start with that “wait for me” nonsense. I’m already married to Jordan. And I’m doing just fine.”
She continued, “Lionel, if you still don’t get it after everything I’ve said, let me spell it out for you. We’re cutting all ties. From now on, you go your way and I go mine. We’ll never be friends again.”
Stella turned around and walked off without looking back,
Lionel tried to come inside, but the security guard blacked his way:
Jordan’s car pulled up and stopped right in front of Lionel.
“Don’t you get it? From now on, Stella has nothing to do with you. If you keep making a scene, I’ll have no choice but to throw you out,” Jordan said coldly.
Lionel was outside, calling Stella’s name at the top of his lungs, but she just kept walking, completely ignoring him.
When Jordan walked in, Stella stuck out her tongue with a playful grin. “I haven’t cooked yet.”
“No worries. The maids can handle it. Cook if you feel like it, and if you don’t, just leave it,” Jordan replied,
Stella couldn’t take her eyes off Jordan. Jordan started to feel a bit flustered under her gaze. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Stella smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more.
Since he couldn’t get anything out of her, Jordan just let it go and didn’t ask again.
Sometimes, that was just how life was. People only treated one well when one was useful to them. If the Hayes family had cherished Stella the way Jordan did, maybe things never would have turned out like this.
Stella’s birthday was just around the corner, and the dress was delivered. It fit her perfectly.
When Stella stepped into the hotel, she found herself in a huge party hall big enough for five hundred people. The place was
absolutely packed.
The moment people spotted Stella, they all smiled at her. But Stella knew exactly why. Everyone was here because of Jordan.
She glanced around, then leaned over and whispered to Jordan, “Did all the big shots in the city show up?”
“Pretty much,” Jordan replied.
Stella’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Meanwhile, things couldn’t have been more different elsewhere. At the other party, an hour had already gone by. Every now and then, a few people would show up, but they all left almost immediately.
Only the Quinn family, the Hayes family, and Emily were left.
Emily patted Anna on the shoulder, trying to reassure her. “Relax. Don’t stress. Everyone’s going to show up soon. You’ll see.”
Just then, a guest who had just arrived and was about to leave overheard Emily’s words. He turned back to the two of them and said, “Honestly, you guys might as well pack it up.
“Mr. Erwin’s throwing a birthday party for his wife tonight, and everyone’s over there. Mr. Erwin’s always been tough to approach, so of course, we all want to use this chance to get close to him.
“Even if we can’t, at least maybe we can get on Mrs. Erwin’s good side. I doubt anyone else is coming here tonight.”
Everyone knew that Stella and Anna had their birthdays on the same day, but nobody expected that the whole crowd would flock to Stella’s side and leave Anna’s party completely deserted.
The Hayes family had been established long before Jordan’s company, and quite a few people showed up just for the sake of
Eleanor.
But in reality, most of them just came and left, not caring at all about all the years of friendship and connections they’d built.
“Stella definitely did this on purpose,” Max grumbled, feeling his temper flare.
They’d already tried to get on her good side, but she still went overboard. She just bad to throw her birthday party at the same time as Anna’s.
‘Couldn’t she have just celebrated in the afternoon? Why did she have to pick the evening? She’s obviously trying to steal Anna’s spotlight, Max fumed inwardly.
Anna had lost a lot of blood after her suicide attempt, and even now, her face was still pale.
“Max, Stella’s birthday is today, too. She didn’t do it on purpose,” Anna said softly.
Max snapped, “How is it not on purpose? We’ve celebrated your birthday every single year, She knows that. We even went to her before and suggested having a joint party for both of you.
“But she shot us down and hid behind Jordan as an excuse. Isn’t it obvious what she’s trying to do?”
