Chapter 47
Fiona said, “Stella, I know you’ve been carrying so much pain since you came back. Forcing you to marry Henry was the last thing I wanted thousand times over, I was against it. But I had no other choice.
“I wish the kidnappers had taken me instead. Let me bear all that suffering. You were just a child, with your whole life ahead of you
Stella said coldly, “I’m exhausted. Just leave.”
“Stella…” Fiona was about to say more when Stella shot her a cold glare that silenced her,
Fiona wiped away her tears. “Fine, I’ll go. I’ll leave right now.”
Stella’stood there, unmoving and heartbroken. These were her own family, tied to her by blood, yet they did everything they could to hurt
her.
She couldn’t accept their apologies. After all, the scars from her past would stay with her forever.
There was another knock at the door. Stella turned to see Anna standing there, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
Stella didn’t let her in, but Anna rushed over and threw her arms around her.
She said, sobbing, “Stella, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t blurted out about your condition in front of everyone, you wouldn’t have been humiliated like this.
“Mom just tore into me. I came to say I’m sorry. Go ahead. Hit me. Punch me. Do whatever you want. I promise I won’t get mad, no matter what you do to me.”
“Let go,” Stella snapped, her face cold.
“I’m not letting go. Stella, hit me!” Anna grabbed Stella’s hand, trying to force it onto her own body.
Stella jerked her hand back, stepping away to put distance between them. “Anna, drop the act. This isn’t the first time this has happened. People might not realize you’re doing it on purpose, but do you really think I don’t see through it?”
Anna opened her mouth to speak, but Stella cut her off. “Besides, I wouldn’t lay a hand on you. The second I do, Fiona and everyone else will rush in, accusing me of bullying you and saying all sorts of nasty things.
“Haven’t you played the victim enough since we were kids?”
Anna’s face crumpled with feigned innocence. “Stella, what are you even saying? I would never do anything like that.”
Stella was utterly sick of her fake expression. “Anna, get out.”
Anna clung to Stella, pleading, “I’m not leaving If you won’t forgive me, I’ll stay right here, no matter how long it takes.”
Stella bit her lip. “Fine. Stay here then.”
Anna’s face lit up with relief, but her smile froze when Stella, who was already dressed and ready to go, turned and walked out without a glance.
“Stella!” Anna cried out in disbelief.
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09:54 Tue, 5 Aug
Chapter 47
Stella ignored Anna. Noticing Fiona looking over, she shot back an icy
glare.
Usually, Fiona would’ve snapped, saying, “Stella, your sister’s talking to you. Are you deaf?”
But Stella was too tired of hearing it and sick of the look on her face.
Stella walked out once again. As she made her way, her mind flooded with thoughts.
‘Enough,‘ she thought to herself. ‘I’m done with all this. It’s exhausting.”
With her laptop in hand, Stella headed straight for the library. She found a quiet spot and started working on some matters for Jordan’s
company.
She wrapped it up in barely half an hour.
Then a message popped up from Jordan. [You still got it. Even after three years
away from laptops, you solved it in record time.]
Stella: [I developed that software myself, so I know it inside out. There are hidden features that no one would find unless I show them.]
After a brief exchange, Stella packed up her laptop and decided to take a walk.
She strolled leisurely. What others would cover in twenty minutes took her more than an hour. But taking her time to observe her surroundings helped her adjust to the world.
While walking, Stella spotted Anna shopping with Emily. She had no idea when Anna had left home.
