Jordan couldn’t resist digging into Stella’s background after their first meeting, and that was how he discovered she was a Hayes.
The investigation also brought up the infamous kidnapping case that had shaken the city years ago. Stella’s parents had rescued Anna, but Stella was taken away by the kidnappers.
Stella disappeared for three whole years. Jordan learned she had first been trafficked to Middle–South Yaria, where they’d cut out one of her kidneys. She somehow managed to escape, only to be sold again to some small town.
Jordan’s chest tightened. He thought, ‘She crawled back from hell all on her own. God, what hell did she go through in those three years?
‘No wonder she never smiled before. The fact that she can smile at me now… It has to be because she finally feels safe here with me, right?”
“Okay, I can’t wait to eat,” Jordan said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He headed off to change into something more comfortable and wash up..
He walked into the dining room just as Stella was setting down the last dish. He had to admit he was excited.
Six dishes and a soup spread across the table, looking and smelling amazing. She’d nailed the balance of meat and veggies.
Stella ladled out a bowl of soup and gently placed it in front of Jordan. Then she got one for herself.
Jordan said gently, “It’s okay, Stella. I can help myself later. You don’t need to wait on me.”
“Go ahead, give it a try,” Stella said.
Jordan took a sip and froze. Stella was about to take a sip herself, but when she noticed Jordan’s silence and unreadable expression, her heart instantly tightened with worry.
Stella quickly took a sip to check. It tasted fine to her. She thought, ‘I know I haven’t cooked in years, but there’s no way I mixed up salt and sugar or something.”
Stella asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Doesn’t it taste right?”
“No,” Jordan said, his voice a little thick as he slowly took another spoonful. “It tastes like my mom’s.”
Stella was momentarily at a loss for words. She knew Jordan had told her he didn’t have any family, but she had no idea about the story behind it.
“It’s really good,” Jordan said quietly.
“If you like it, I can cook for you every day,” Stella said softly.
Jordan said, “You don’t have to do that. Your only job is to rest and get strong. Besides, I need those hands for coding.”
Stella smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Jordan, I’ll still code for you and take care of my hands. Honestly, I’m just bored at home, so let me cook, okay?”
“You’re sure?” Jordan asked, watching her with a faint, fond smile playing on his lips.
Stella nodded, so Jordan said, “Okay. If cooking makes you happy, do it. But the moment it feels like a chore, you stop. The staff
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can handle it.”
“Deal,” Stella agreed. Between bites, she kept stealing glances at Jordan.
Stella thought to herself, ‘He’s exactly the same as the person I knew online–gentle, considerate, nothing like what the rumors say.
‘But then again, everything Kevin had said was true. Maybe Jordan’s only different with me because he considers me a friend, and that’s why he treats me differently‘
When Jordan asked her about her day, Stella thought that since they were now on the same side, she decided to tell him about running into Andrew and his family.
When she finished the story, Stella’s voice was cold. “If they come after you, you don’t hold back. They play dirty, you fight dirtier. Hit them where it hurts.”
“They haven’t tried anything yet,” Jordan said. “But I almost hope they do. It’d feel good to help you get some proper payback.”
Jordan just couldn’t wrap his head around it–how a family could be so twisted, so cruel to their own flesh and blood. The thought of them hurting her like that made something in him burn.
“Good,” Stella said. “Then just make sure you tear them down.”
Stella had actually been worried about Jordan, but it turned out her family were such chickens they didn’t dare go anywhere near him.
Jordan’s reputation in Seavale was terrifying. The word on the street was that he was ruthless and cold–blooded, and would tear one apart without blinking. Thanks to this, Stella enjoyed a period of peace.
When Stella met with Eleanor again, her grandma lit up. “Look at you. You’ve got color in your cheeks again, and you’re not skin and bones anymore.”
Eleanor watched Stella actually eat a full meal–something she hadn’t been able to do before. She quietly dabbed at her eyes when Stella wasn’t looking.
“Grandma,” Stella said, rushing to her side. “Look at me, I’m fine. What’s with the tears?”
“I was just so worried,” Eleanor confessed, her voice shaky. “I kept asking myself if we did the right thing, forcing you to marry Jordan. He’s good to you, and I can see that. But he’s got this dark side to him.
“I did some digging on him. People say he’s ruthless and doesn’t care about anybody’s feelings. He’s made plenty of enemies in business because of it.
“Of course, he’s powerful enough that no one dares cross him. But that’s exactly what worries me. But I was scared they might come after you instead, since they can’t get to him. I was even worried that maybe…
But now, seeing you looking so healthy… can finally relax. It seems that no matter how cold he is to the rest of the world, he saves his gentle side for you.
“The way he’s taking care of you… I honestly think this marriage was the best thing for you.”
“So you can stop worrying, Grandma,” Stella said gently.
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Eleanor nodded. “Yes, I can. You just focus on getting strong, Stella. What’s past is past. You’re Jordan’s wife now. Your best days
are still ahead.”
Stella nodded. “I will… And them? How have they been treating you?”
“What can they do to me?” Stella scoffed, “Max is back home and walking again. They sold off one of the properties, so for now, the company is staying alloat,
“The Carver family is still breathing down their necks, but that’s a mess Max made for himself. He can deal with it.”
A bitter feeling washed over Stella. She thought, “I really believed my family had no choice but to sacrifice me. But it turns out there were still plenty of ways to save the company. They simply chose not to use them.
To my own family, I wasn’t even worth as much as a piece of real estate. Hell, if Anna had gotten a new puppy, I’m sure I would’ve ranked below that, too.”
Eleanor’s heart broke as she saw Stella’s sad face. “Honey, don’t dwell on it.”
“How can I not, Grandma?” Stella’s voice cracked. “Seriously, if it weren’t for the fact that I have Anna’s exact face, I’d swear I was adopted. And I actually wondered if they made me get surgery to look like her.
“I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what I did wrong. Why couldn’t they ever like me? I studied harder than anyone, just hoping to earn their approval.
“I did every chore in that house, thinking maybe they’d see me. I gave them everything, and they just handed it all to Anna anyway. Am I really… so unlovable?”
Heartbreak was written all over Eleanor’s face. She pulled Stella close. “No, baby, no. They are the ones who are wrong, not you Don’t you dare let their failings make you feel small.
“You’re the best girl in the world, and they’re too foolish to see it. Mark my words, one day they will regret everything they’ve done
to you.”
Stella shook her head. “I don’t even care anymore if they regret it or not, Grandma. Please don’t blame me, but one day I really will cut ties with them. I just don’t want anything to do with them anymore.”
“Alright, Eleanor said, “When that day comes, I’ll be right there with you.”
“Grandma…” Stella stared at her, speechless with disbelief.
“Family’s not about blood,” Eleanor said. “It’s about love, Jordan loves you, and you love him. That’s your real family now. Once you’re free of those toxic people, you and Jordan can be happy. That will be enough for me.”
Stella wore a bright, cheerful smile for the rest of the visit, right up until she had to say goodbye. Later, she met Emily, who was dressed way fancier than she used to be. She handed Stella an invitation. Emily said, “Your birthday’s coming up. I’m throwing a party just for you. You have to come, will you?”
