Chapter 152
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The air at Hayes Group felt different that morning. Jordan usually texted or called by mid–morning, a small anchor in her day.
But today, her phone lay stubbornly mute. It unsettled her, this unexpected reliance she’d developed. Its silence left an odd hollow space in her routine.
After a moment’s hesitation, Stella decided she couldn’t just wait. Hesitantly, she typed out a message: [Busy morning?]
The reply was instant and curt: [Yes.]
Stella frowned at the screen. ‘Overthinking, again?‘ She shoved the phone aside. ‘Not worth it.‘
Stepping out of the building at lunchtime, Stella almost walked straight into Kevin. “Kevin?” Genuine surprise lifted her voice.
Kevin looked exhausted, the strain of his family’s recent turmoil written plainly on his face. “Stella.” He offered a weary smile. “Sorry it took me so long to visit after you took over the company.”
“It’s okay,” Stella waved a dismissive hand. “You’ve had your hands full. Looks like you’re finally free today.”
“Yeah. So would you like to have lunch together?” Kevin asked.
Stella agreed. Minutes later, they were tucked into a quiet booth at a restaurant nearby.
Kevin slid the menu towards her. “You order. I’m clueless about what you can eat now.”
Stella grinned, a spark of mischief in her eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of going easy on your wallet.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Kevin’s mouth.
Despite a schedule bursting at the seams, Jordan found his car pointed towards the Hayes Group at lunchtime. Her tentative text felt like a quiet rebuke, proof his awkward retreat that morning had rattled her. He needed to see her.
He arrived just as they stepped out together. Parked down the street, he watched them slide into a restaurant booth.
The easy smile Kevin gave Stella as they bent over the menu struck Jordan with a sharp pang. ‘If I hadn’t pushed myself into her life, proposed that arrangement, would Stella marry Kevin?‘
“Done,” Stella declared, pushing the menu back across the table.
He scanned her choices–two modest dishes. His brow furrowed slightly. “Still on your diet restrictions?”
Stella nodded. “Honestly, just being able to eat out feels like a victory. It’s more than I hoped for.” A small, genuine smile touched her lips.
“I’m taking it slow.”
Sympathy softened Kevin’s features. He simply nodded.
Well–hidden, Jordan watched unseen. Their comfortable ease, the shared laughter drifting faintly through the glass, killed Jordan’s thought
of showing up. He stayed long after their plates were cleared.
Kevin and Stella returned outside the Hayes Group. Kevin paused, his expression tarning serious. “Any movement on your grandmother’s
case?”
“We’re tracking down Emily,” Stella replied, her voice low. “She’s the key. Find her, find the killer.”
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kevin studied her face. “It points to Anna, right?”
Stella met his gaze, her expression unreadable. “The evidence isn’t there yet.”
Kevin absorbed this, a thoughtful silence falling between them.
Stella glanced at her watch. “I need to head up. And you,” she added gently but firmly, “should get to your office. Seriously, Kevin. I’m okay.
Stop worrying.”
As Stella turned, Kevin’s hand brushed her wrist. “Stella, wait.” He took a steadying breath. “Look. I see how Jordan is with you. He cares. Deeply.”
Kevin met her eyes, his own intense. “But if things ever go wrong, if you need anything, I want you to know I’ll always be here. You’ll always be my first call.”
Stella gently freed her wrist. “Kevin,” she said, her voice soft but steel–strong. “I treasure our friendship. More than I can say. Selfish as it is….
that’s what I need us to be. Friends. Always.”
Their eyes locked. Kevin held her gaze, searching for something–anything–in her clear, resolved eyes.
Finally, Stella offered him a small smile. Then she turned and walked into the building without looking back.
Kevin stood rooted, watching until the lobby doors swallowed her. He lowered his head, a sigh escaping him. A resigned smile touched his lips as he turned to leave–and froze. “Mr. Erwin?” Kevin said, surprise sharpening his voice.
“A word?” Jordan asked.
Kevin nodded.
Back in her office, Stella’s gaze kept snagging on her silent phone. The absence of Jordan’s usual lunchtime check–in felt like an unanswered question hanging heavy in the air.
‘Since when did I start waiting for it?‘ She mentally kicked herself. ‘People get busy. Stop obsessing.’ With a sharp shake of her head, she
forced her focus onto her work.
After transferring to a better hospital, Andrew finally had a smile on his face.
“Dad,” Anna began, her eyes wide with practiced innocence. “You’re not angry? Please believe me, I wanted to help. I just didn’t know what
to do.”
“Angry? Sweetheart, never,” Andrew exclaimed, weakly patting her hand. “Look at everything you’ve done for us. Having you here is all I need.” His expression curdled. “Unlike that viper, Stella. She’d have left us to die.”
He turned a grateful gaze on Monroe. “Monroe, thank you. Truly. I’ll admit, I’m surprised it was you who stepped up. Anna’s lucky to have you by her side.”
He shot Anna a stern look. “You must get along with Monroe. If he tells me you’re causing him grief, young lady, you’ll answer to me.”
“Dad,” Anna murmured, ducking her head in a perfect show of demure shyness.
Monroe’s hand settled on Anna’s shoulder, his smile indulgent. “Mr. Hayes. We’ll get along well with each other. And my only concern is keeping others from upsetting her.”
Andrew nodded. “That’s good. With you watching over her, I can rest.”
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Chapter 152
Monroe sensed the private conversation hanging in the air. Though he had things to discuss with Andrew, they could wait. He excused himself with smooth politeness and slipped out.
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The door clicked shut behind Monroe. Anna flew to Andrew’s bedside. “Dad, listen. Leaving you and Max wasn’t my choice. Mom bled me dry Every penny. I had nothing.” Her eyes were wide with feigned desperation.
“I begged Lionel. He put 15 thousand dollars into your account. But you know how fast that vanishes in the hospital.
“Finally, I had to turn to Monroe. But I couldn’t push too hard. I had to play a long game. I’m so sorry you suffered while I did that.”
Andrew squeezed her hand. “Sweetheart, I know. I understand completely. Don’t torture yourself with guilt. That dreadful place, yes, it was hell. But we survived, didn’t we? That’s what matters.”
His voice strengthened with conviction. “And I never doubted you, not for a second. Stella’s poisonous lies couldn’t touch us. I knew you would find your way back to us.”
“Dad!” Anna cried, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace, pressing her face into his shoulder to hide the icy triumph blazing in her eyes. She only cared about herself.
‘You owed me everything.‘ The thought cut through her fake tears like a razor. ‘A lifetime of suffering for what you did! Leaving you in that pit? Just a taste. Serves you right.’
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