Chapter 140
Jordan had seen plenty of women like Anna. Those desperate women would do anything to get close to him. He’d seen Anna’s little performance for exactly what it was.
“Mrs. Hayes,” he said quietly, “when something starts out rotten at the core, you can’t fix it. The whole tree is poisoned.”
Eleanor let out a long sigh. “I know. It’s just… I didn’t see the rot until it was too late. If I’d figured it out sooner, the Hayes family wouldn’t be this train wreck.”
“You can’t put this on yourself,” Jordan said firmly but gently. “Some things are just meant to break. No matter what you did.”
Eleanor looked at Jordan. She thought he really was incredible. He just got her completely.
Her old spark of curiosity flickered. “So, tell me the real story, Jordan. You and Stella.”
Instead of going straight home, Jordan took a quiet turn into a nearby park. Mary, with a knowing little smile, seemed to understand they needed a moment. Then she went for a stroll by herself.
After hearing Jordan out, Eleanor nodded. “So that’s how it was. You and Stella really were meant to find each other. Otherwise, you never would’ve crossed paths that day, let alone gotten married. When are you gonna tell Stella how you feel?”
“I’m not,” he said immediately. “Just having Stella trust me completely is more than I could ask for. I’m not ready to tell her yet. I’m terrified that instead of bringing her closer, I’ll just scare her away for good.
“We’re married. If she tries to leave, I’ll just refuse to sign the papers. I can afford to wait. Eventually, she’ll have to fall in love with me.”
A warm smile spread across Eleanor’s face. “Jordan, I used to lie awake at night, sick with worry about who Stella would end up with. But seeing you with her… Knowing how good you are… I can finally breathe.
“I don’t have much time left. Knowing you’ll be there to catch her when I’m gone is the only thing that lets me rest.”
“Don’t talk like that, Mrs. Hayes,” Jordan cut in softly. “I’ve got the best doctors in the world looking at your case. We’re going to get you more time. Time to spend with both of us.”
Eleanor just smiled and said nothing. Jordan had business to take care of at the office and couldn’t stay all day. He drove Eleanor and Mary the rest of the way home.
Jordan wrapped up at the office and called Stella. She had been completely buried in work, scouting locations for her new supermarket venture. She was so deep in the weeds that she just picked up the call without a glance at the screen.
“It’s me,” Jordan’s voice came through the line.
Stella wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder, her fingers still flying across the keyboard. “Is it about Grandma? Is something wrong?”
“No, she’s fine,” he said calmly. “Her check–up went well, actually. You don’t have to worry.”
“Really?” Stella paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She grabbed the phone, set it on the desk, and hit the speaker button. “Her results were good?”
“They were. Sorry I didn’t call sooner. I got held up,” he said. “But there is one thing… We ran into Anna at the hospital.”
Stella tensed up. “What did she do? Did she say something to Grandma?”
“No,” he reassured her. “Monroe was with her. She was alright.”
Stella let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Don’t worry,” Jordan continued, his voice so calm and steady it was like an anchor. “Everything’s fine.” The anxiety in her chest eased.
“Jordan,” she said, her voice full of gratitude, “thank you.”
“Is that all I get? A ‘thank you“?” he teased.
Stella grinned. “What if I get you a present?”
“Now that’s more like it,” he said. “I’ll expect to see it tonight.”
“Deal,” she said, and ended the call.
A glance at the clock told her it was well past noon. Shoving her work aside, she grabbed her assistant and walked out of the office. They went to a high–end mall and wandered from store to store.
“What on earth do you buy a man like Jordan?” Stella mused out loud to her new assistant, Nola White.
Nola, who had a general idea of Stella’s complicated life, offered a suggestion. “Maybe a watch? It might cost a bit more-”
“That’s not an issue,” Stella cut in immediately. “Honestly, the more it costs, the better. After everything he’s done for me, I want to get him something incredible.”
So, Nola helped Stella pick out a watch. Stella knew next to nothing about this stuff, only that the highest price tag didn’t always mean the
best watch.
Good thing Nola really knew her stuff when it came to watches. With her help, Stella found the perfect watch for Jordan and was very pleased
with her choice.
As they walked out of the store, Nola asked, “Are you going to take it to him now, Ms. Hayes?”
“No,” Stella said. “I think I’ll give it to him at home tonight.” A knowing smile played on Nola’s lips.
But as she walked, a sudden sense of unease washed over her/It felt like something bad was coming. ‘What could possibly go wrong?‘ she thought to herself, trying to shake it off. ‘Don’t be paranoid.‘
That afternoon, she threw herself back into her work, and the feeling was quickly forgotten.
Eleanor got a call from Emily. Emily said she wanted to meet up and talk about Anna.
Eleanor figured Emily might have some dirt on Anna, so she decided to go. While Mary was taking her afternoon nap, she slipped out of the
house.
Eleanor hardly ever went anywhere alone since walking was tough for her. Jordan had set her up with an electric wheelchair to make things easier. In that way, she could get around even when no one was with her.
When Eleanor arrived at the meeting spot, she saw Emily. Anna was there, too. Right then, Eleanor got it. Emily hadn’t been the one who wanted to meet. Anna was behind this whole thing.
Thinking back to the scene at the hospital, Eleanor knew exactly what Anna was up to. She guided the wheelchair over to Anna. “You wanted to see me?” she asked.
Anna saw Eleanor and flashed a fake smile. She acted like they were best friends and reached out to grab Eleanor’s arm. “Grandma I’m so glad you came.”
09:52 Tue, 5 Aug
Chapter 140
Eleanor calmly brushed Anna’s hand away. “Cut the act, Anna. What do you want?”
Anna dropped the act. “Grandma, I came to you because I need you to talk to Stella for me. For my parents, for my brother. No matter what’s happened, we’re still a family.
“I broke off my engagement with Lionel because his family wouldn’t lift a finger to help us. It’s one thing if they don’t want to help with the
company…
“But with my parents and Max in such a mess, he still chose to do nothing. I couldn’t stay with a man like that.”
Eleanor remained silent, watching the one–woman show with a blank face.
“I’m with Monroe now,” Anna continued. “I know he would help me if I asked. I just know it. But we only just started dating. If I ask him for money right away, he’ll think I’m a gold–digger. You know how it looks.
“Grandma, I tried talking to Stella, but she won’t listen. Stella only listens to you. Can you talk to her for me? Just ask her to cover my medical bills for now. Once Monroe and I are solid, I promise I won’t ask for anything.”
Anna reached for her hand again. Eleanor snatched hers back. “Anna,” she said, her voice cold, “do you really take me for a fool?”
“Grandma, why would I do that? I know you and Stella have issues with me. But you know I really care about my parents and Max, right?” Anna said, her voice full of innocence.
Eleanor shot her a skeptical look. ‘No, something’s off. Whatever Anna is really here for, it isn’t this simple,‘ she thought.
