Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Eleanor’s eyes got teary as she thought Stella must have had trouble sleeping before. “Don’t worry; I sleep deep. Once I’m out, I won’t wake up.”
Stella wanted to share a bed with Eleanor, so she nodded.
As Eleanor went to grab something from her room, Fiona stood at the door. “Mom, are you going to bed?” she asked with a
smile.
Eleanor frowned, “It’s late. Why are you looking for Stella?”
Fiona hesitated, “Um, I’ve got something to tell Stella.”
“Whatever it is, you can talk tomorrow. It’s late, and everyone’s tired.” Eleanor was about to go back to her room when she saw Fiona trying to walk into Stella’s room. She turned and said, “Tonight, I’m with Stella.”
Fiona was stunned for a second. She just said to Stella, “Good night, Stella,” and left.
Stella slept great all night. It was the best sleep she’d had in three years.
When she woke up, Stella looked at Eleanor and asked, “Grandma, I didn’t wake you up last night, did I?”
Eleanor smiled, “No, I slept great. I remember when you were little, you’d come over and sleep with me.”
When she was a kid, Max would like to sleep alone. Anna got sick a lot. Even when Anna wasn’t sick, she slept with their
parents.
Stella was the same age as Anna, but she’d always slept alone since she could remember.
Sometimes during the day, when Max was in a good mood, he’d tell Stella ghost stories. This scared her so much that she wouldn’t dare sleep alone at night. She’d go to Max, but he’d just push her away.
Every time Stella wanted to share a bed with Max; her parents would scold her, saying that girls couldn’t share rooms with boys.
With no other options, Stella would go to Eleanor. Every time, Eleanor would take good care of her.
Thinking of this, Stella hugged Eleanor. Eleanor hugged her back, smiling.
Just then, a maid knocked on the door. “Ma’am, Stella, please come out for breakfast.”
Eleanor looked at Stella. “Want some food? The doctor said even water is okay. Just take it slow.”
Stella shook her head.
Knowing Stella was not happy with the Hayes, Eleanor didn’t say anything.
Not long after, Fiona showed up in Stella’s room. “Stella, I know you only eat once a day, but you barely ate yesterday. You must be starving. We made congee for you.”
“Nah, I’m not going.” Stella refused. Her allergies had already cleared up, even the doctor commented that he’d never seen them fade that fast. She knew why. She hadn’t gotten a single shot in two years, so the meds kicked in super quickly.
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Chapter 25
Fiona started to talk, but Stella said, “You should have your breakfast.”
Fiona had stuff to say, but it wasn’t the right time. She left quietly.
The door stayed open. Stella could hear the family in the dining room, laughing and happy, like she was never part of the
house.
She saw Eleanor’s phone lit up. It was a message from Jordan: [We did it. Check it out.]
Stella grabbed Eleanor’s phone, deleted the message, and replied: [Stop texting this number. I’ll reach out when I get a new phone.]
As Stella was about to put Eleanor’s phone down, she saw a video alert about the Hayes family-last night’s news.
Some replies popped up: [He’s a joke. Handle everything alone in a small town? He’s lying to us. He just wanted to clear his daughter’s name.]
[Honestly, it isn’t a big deal these days. No one cares anymore. Plus, she didn’t ask for it, right?]
[But Mr. Hayes’s move is just mean.]
Stella quickly turned off the phone. She knew it was a free country, but some words still stung. Over the past three years, she’d gotten tough, but she was only twenty-one. These words were too much for her.
On her way to the bathroom, Stella overheard Max on the phone. He said, “We couldn’t hide that video from this morning. Did the Carvers make their move? Damn, they’re always like that!”
Stella frowned a little.
Then Max replied, “Got it. I’ll handle it.”
Stella stayed in her room. Eleanor came back after the meal, grabbed her phone, and said she was going for a walk. She asked Stella if she wanted to come.
Stella said she wanted to rest and wouldn’t go for now.
Eleanor remembered that Martin was coming later for Stella’s acupuncture, so she nodded.
***
Eleanor didn’t leave till after the acupuncture session. The house got real quiet, like everyone who had to go already had. Stella decided to head out, too.
6
Just as she stepped outside, Fiona cut her off. “Stella, are you going out?” Fiona smiled, but it didn’t look real.
Stella asked flatly, “You need something?”
Fiona found that Stella had changed a lot. Since Stella came back, she’d only called her “Mother” once. Fiona remembered Stella used to talk to her nonstop. It was annoying but full of life. Now, Stella was so quiet that Fiona would think she wasn’t home.
Fiona said, “I came to check on your allergy. If it’s still bugging you, I’ll take you for another shot.”
Stella glanced at her arm, all scratched up. There were no red spots, and it wasn’t itchy anymore. “Probably okay,” she said.
“Let’s still go check. I remember you loved seafood; I made extra hoping you’d eat more. Look how skinny you are.” Fiona
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Chapter 25
started crying while talking.
Stella wasn’t moved; she just felt annoyed. She wondered if she was being too cold.
“Come in, Stella said. Knowing she couldn’t leave right away, she moved aside to let Fiona in.
Fiona looked around her room. Seeing nothing much, she asked, “Need anything else? Max got you this phone; keep it. It’s the newest one.” She took the phone out of her pocket and handed it over.
Stella noticed the phone was much cheaper than Anna’s. She never used to care about stuff like that, but this showed they didn’t really care about her-otherwise, they would’ve gotten her the same thing as Anna’s.
Fiona put the phone in Stella’s hand. “We’re family. Since it’s bought for you, it’s yours.”
Stella looked at the phone in her hand and put it on the table. She didn’t accept or refuse. She stared at Fiona and asked directly, “You here for something else?”
