Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Those words caused Weston to brush his hand against his face. The corner of his lips twitched when he saw the smear of blood that appeared on the back of his hand.
“She certainly didn’t pull her punches…!!
The image of Stella as she appeared to him just moments ago popped up in his mind. Thinking of their recent meeting, Weston languidly massaged his temples.
He always knew Stella couldn’t possibly only want to see him. According to his plans, things should’ve wrapped up nicely after he sent Stella and Roger away. They should’ve gotten back on track Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Yet, when Ben suddenly told him about Stella, he completely sidetracked and did what he never planned-agreeing to come to the hospital.
The fact that she rejected him was another unexpected outcome. Weston closed his eyes. The stormy turmoil inside him that started when he saw Stella falling off the building had calmed significantly after learning she was safe. However, now, it was showing signs of returning He had never been considered impulsive, but he seemed to lose all self-control the moment he saw Stella.
Weston opened his eyes. “Let her do whatever she wants.”
“What… What do you mean, Mr. Ford?” Weston got up and glanced furtively at the closed door before looking away. “Waste no more time,” he told Ben. “Fulfill all of her requests as best you can.” “Yes, Mr. Ford,” answered Ben. “Are we still following our original plan, sending them to Fern City tomorrow?” “Are all preparations in Fern City complete?” “Everything’s been done according to your orders, Mr. Ford,” replied Ben. “Ms. Sealey and Mr. Sealey will have completely new identities and they can begin a safe, peaceful life there.”
A mere wall separated them, but Stella heard nothing that was going on outside. Still, she had no doubts that the man was right there in the hallway. She closed her eyes; her body still trembling from head to toe. The fierce emotions that overcame her moments ago had consumed all her energy. Ever since falling from that building, Stella had forced herself to recall those fateful moments repeatedly, her heart growing ever colder with each agonizing second that passed. It wasn’t until today that she found out she hadn’t abated the hatred in her heart. She placed her hand on her belly, and tears began to well up. Despite it all, she sucked it up, not allowing herself to shed a single tear,
That was the only child she could have ever had in her life…
Vet ever since waking up, Weston had never uttered a word about the child, as if its existence meant nothing to him. At a time when she was enduring her most excruciating pain, all he could care about was if her existence would envy Guinevere. Fearing her jealousy, he would give her a new identity and send her off to another city, out of his sight… What had she done to deserve pain and suffering of such magnitude?
Stella curled up in a ball, allowing waves of hatred and resentment to wash through her. She hated herself for getting into this position… she couldn’t even find a way to get justice and revenge… all she could do now was to helplessly and shamefully follow his plans, leaving this place to hide from that woman… that murderer!
Because he wouldn’t believe her.
Stella tightened her fists into balls. Embrace the pain, she told herself. Let it hurt so bad that it would numb her. After that, the pain would eventually go away.
Fern City. A lovely little city that was a lot more idyllic than the hustle and bustle of the more prosperous Ahn City. Life here proceeded at a leisurely pace. The seasons’ change was much more apparent here, too-you could almost hear fall creeping into the city as the warmth of summer waned away.
Stella’s days gradually simmered down. The deep, roiling emotions faded away with time and distance. She even managed to spend away a significant amount of time without thinking of Weston.
But every once in a while, she would wake up in the middle of the night soaking in sweat from a nightmare.
“Sis! Sis!” shouted Roger as he banged on Stella’s door. “I’m fine, Roger,” mumbled Stella, her voice drowsy and thick with sleep. “Go back to bed!” Separated by the door, Roger could barely make out Stella’s muffled rambling. “Sis!” he continued, refusing to leave. “Are you having that nightmare again?”