Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Fiona waved a dismissive hand. “Hey, when it comes to friends, none of that matters. As long as you’re a good person and can make Anna happy, of i course, we love having you around.”
During their conversation, Stella abruptly appeared in the living room, instantly ruining the cheerful moment. She fixed her gaze intently on Emily.
Emily couldn’t meet Stella’s eyes, guilt washing over her.
Anna reached over and gave Emily’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
Emily felt she had to do something, so she finally looked up and forced herself
you’re back.”
Stella remained silent. In the days since she returned home, her skin had visibly in yet her appearance was still terrifying.
Emily barely dared a glance at Stella before quickly looking away. “Um, Anna told
approach you. And then, with Eleanor…”
dantly, ie you were back. I’ve been meaning to visit, but I wasn’t sure how to
At this point, Emily stole a glance at Stella, but she flinched back when she met Stella’s s piercing glare. She was too terrified to utter another word.
Noticing the awkward silence, Fiona quickly stepped in to mediate. “Stella, why aren’t you talking to Emily? You two were such close childhood friends for over a decade. She was just asking about you and said how much she wanted to see you.”
“She wanted to see me?” Stella’s icy voice cut through the air, sending a jolt through Emily’s heart.
Fiona quickly stepped in, trying to smooth things over. “Stella, I know you and Emily used to be such good friends, but Anna is your sister, too.
“While you were away, the two of them grew quite close and often mentioned you. Now that you’re back, the three of you can hang out together again.”
Stella remained silent, her gaze locked on Emily.
Emily couldn’t bring herself to meet Stella’s gaze.
Fiona also felt the overwhelming pressure from Stella.
Just as Fiona was about to say something, Max, impatiently, cut in, “Mom, who Emily befriends is Stella. Who does she think she’s intimidating with those looks?”
Emily stole a shy glance at Max, but she instantly averted her gaze, afraid Stella might notice.
However, Stella saw it all clearly.
own business. She hasn’t done anything wrong
to
Seeing Stella still standing there like a statue, not uttering a word, Max sprang to his feet and snapped, “Stella, get the hell back to your room! Emily’s our guest. Don’t go scaring her like that!”
Fiona snapped at Max, “Don’t talk to Stella like that!”
“Mom, look at that damn look on her face. It’s like we all owe her something. We’ve explained it to her a million times already. Isn’t that enough?” Max protested.
Fiona pulled Stella by the arm and said softly, “Come on. Go back to your room first.”
No one even noticed Stella hadn’t eaten dinner that night. Or rather, they simply didn’t care unless Eleanor mentioned it.
Since coming back home, Stella had been forcing herself to eat more, just as her family insisted. Yet now, she was still clearly starving.
21:08 Fri, 1 Aug
Chapter 31
This gnawing hunger was just like when she’d first been sent to Middle–South Yaria. A constant craving for food left her feeling physically ill if the didn’t eat. Wanting nothing to do with them for now, Stella headed straight to the kitchen.
Max trailed after her. “What the hell are you up to now?” he snapped, instinctively moving all the knives and other sharp objects out of her reach.
Stella ignored him and opened the fridge. It was packed with food, but none of it was from dinner.
She wasn’t much of a cook. Instant noodles were about all she could handle. But now that the Hayes family was living so well, she would never find something as humble as instant noodles.
Max absolutely loathed Stella’s silence. It was a stark contrast to her usual chattering self. It felt as if she were deliberately punishing them.
Seeing Stella rummaging through the kitchen aimlessly, Max barked at her again, “What the hell are you looking for?”
