Chapter 19 I Have No Regrets
But how would the Landon family know that?
Following Moses’s lead, Stella looked up-not at Abel, but at Homer-and gave a subtle, respectful nod.
Homer, watching this husband-and-wife duo act in perfect sync, calmly set down his cutlery.
“Compared to the Johnsons, our family does have fewer rules. Abel, it’s your first dinner back-cat more
and rest well.”
“Yes, Grandfather.” Abel had been thoroughly shut down earlier. He now answered meekly, no longer daring to speak casually.
“Moses, spend less time buried in company matters, and more time with Stella.”
“Yes.”
Moses nodded obediently.
Abel’s expression finally eased-after all, in his eyes, the less Moses focused on the company, the better it was for the rest of them.
Only Moses and Stella knew-
Homer wasn’t speaking with ulterior motives.
He truly hoped they’d live well.
The dinner, laced with undercurrents and silent sparring, left Stella feeling mentally drained. The food tasted like dust in her mouth.
At least Moses hadn’t expected her to speak up.
After dinner, Homer had to attend a gathering with old friends.
Before leaving, he looked at Moses and said, “Now that you’re married, bring Stella around more often.”
Let everyone get to know her.
Moses understood the message behind the words and nodded in agreement.
Stella smiled politely beside him.
She didn’t mind spending time with Grandpa-
But facing the rest of the Landon family and their two-faced politeness? She had no desire to come back.
As soon as Homer left, the thin layer of politeness within the Landon household fell apart.
The front hall and garden scattered with people-some talking business, others whispering secrets.
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Stella didn’t fit into any of it. She was about to find a quiet corner to skim through some Johnson Corp project files-
“I’ll take you home.”
Moses appeared beside her, holding out his hand.
Stella glanced around. “But everyone’s still here. Would it be alright if we-”
“The Landons don’t have rules.”
Moses took her hand and pulled her up-
So abruptly and with such force that she nearly stumbled into his chest.
Just then, she caught a glimpse of Abel walking toward her with a wine glass in hand.
So that’s why Moses was in such a hurry to leave.
Abel had been planning to strike up a conversation.
She stayed quiet.
Moses tightened his grip around her waist.
“Stella has business meetings tomorrow. She’s not as free as the rest of you.”
The room full of hushed whispers instantly fell silent.
Abel gave a dry chuckle. “Moses, you really do know how to offend people.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted, Abel?”
With that, Moses strode off, arm wrapped firmly around Stella.
Behind them, Abel’s expression turned cold.
Moses is treating this marriage partner like some precious treasure… ridiculous.
In the car.
Stella watched the city lights blur past, her chest tightening with a dull ache.
The Landon family was even more suffocating than the Johnsons.
And Moses… was just like her.
Even in his own house, he was unwanted.
“Do you regret it?” she asked softly. “Marrying me?”
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Moses didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on the passing lights.
“The Landons are all double-faced. Behind closed doors, they each have their own messes.”
Regret?
Stella only had one regret.
That she’d wasted years waiting for Shane, stupidly believing Wendy would eventually disappear.
“I don’t regret it.”
She leaned her head against the window, the neon lights racing past like memories.
“The Johnsons aren’t any better. And besides, I gained a lot after marrying you. I’ve benefited too much from this arrangement. I have no right to regret it.”
Benefited…
So it was only because she had something to gain.
That was why she didn’t regret it?
Moses drummed his fingers anxiously on his leg.
He could take being ignored by his family. He could handle ruthless boardroom battles.
But every word Stella said made his thoughts spiral.
He was still lost in them when-
She spoke again.
“Our families may be nightmares, but at least… we have each other to lean on.”
“This marriage might not be romantic, but we can still be family. You helped me stand up to the Johnsons. I came back with you tonight. We don’t need to win arguments-we just need a bit of peace when we’re with each other.”
“In this life, having a place where you can feel at ease… I think that’s already a rare kind of luck.”
As she spoke, she seemed to sense something and turned her head.
Moses turned to her at the same time.
Their eyes met.
And Stella gave him a soft, warm smile.
To Moses, it felt like that smile overlapped with the Stella from his childhood.
After all these years-
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She was still so gentle. So kind.
More importantly, she was right here, beside him.
In the quiet car, two distant hearts inched closer.
The vehicle turned steadily into Music Bay.
Moses walked Stella to the door.
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