“In that year, as Jorge wanted to establish a connection with the Collins family, he constantly tried to introduce her to Nathan, but nothing ever happened. Nathan disliked Stella, and in the end, to achieve his ambitions, forge simply drugged her wine–and
Nathan’s too.
Even now, she could vividly recall what happened the next morning. When she woke up, Nathan was staring at her.
‘Stella, you really outdid yourself. First time? Who do you think you’re fooling?
That month, Jorge repeatedly brought her to the Collins family, causing trouble until they demanded an explanation. That’s when they found out she was pregnant.
The Collins family continuously opposed Nathan’s relationship with olivia. In Anna’s eyes, although Stella was the daughter of a mistress, she was still better than that opera singer. So, Anna forced Nathan to marry Stella.
When it all happened, Stella wanted to rebel. She wanted to escape the marriage, but her mother picked up a knife and threatened to slit her wrists.
‘If you don’t follow their orders, I’ll die right here in front of you,‘ her mother had said.
How could she defy that?
Stella hated to recall such unbearable memories, but when Jorge heard her refusal, his expression darkened unnaturally.
‘You didn’t even try. How can you say you won’t help? Nathan is your husband. How can you refuse to ask him for money?”
“Then why don’t you go ask him yourself?‘ Stella retorted, and Jorge slammed his fist on the desk.
‘Stella, I’ll ask you one last time. Are you going to help or not?‘
Stella stood up, replying firmly, ‘I’m sorry!‘
‘You…!‘ Jorge pointed a trembling finger at her, too angry to speak. He stormed out of the room, opening the door to find Fernanda standing there, looking at them.
‘What’s going on?‘ Jorge, still full of rage, yelled at Fernanda.
‘Ask your precious daughter, then you’ll know!‘ he snapped, storming off.
Fernanda paled. ‘Darling, don’t be angry, please. I’ll talk to her,‘ she said, but Jorge ignored her and left coldly.
‘Mom, if you’re here, then where’s Liam?‘ Stella asked. Fernanda smiled.
‘He’s downstairs, eating with one of the maids. Come with me, Fernanda replied. Then she entered the room, closing the door behind her. ‘Ella, why won’t you help your father?‘
Mom… Stella began, but Fernanda cut her off.
I don’t care what reasons are or what you’re doing it for. He’s your father. No matter what he asks of you, you need to help him.‘
‘Mom… Stella’s face turned pale. She didn’t know how to respond.
Fernanda wasn’t in good physical or mental health, and Stella didn’t want to provoke her. To Stella, while she could be indifferent
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to Jorge, she couldn’t stop caining about Fernanda, the woman who had raised her. When they lived outside Jorge’s house, they had
relied on each other to survive.
Fernanda hadn’t done anything wrong, except for loving Jorge too much so much that she completely lost herself. She endured endless disappointment, Jumiliation, and isolation for him.
Stella believed Fernanda loved her, too.
in Fernanda’s heart, her daughter would always come second to the man she loved.
Why don’t you ever listen to me? Fernanda suddenly grabbed Stella’s hand, her gaze intense. Why can’t you think of me for once? I waited for him for years, and now that
re together, you want to lear us apart? Why does everyone want to separate us? Even
you want that!‘
Stella sensed something was wrong. She quickly held Fernanda by the shoulders.
Mom, please calm down. Let’s talk first…‘
But Fernanda shook her off and stepped back. Stella, worried, moved forward to stop her, but Fernanda grabbed a long, thin stick from somewhere and struck her hard across the back.
It wasn’t the first time Fernanda had hit her. Stella used to avoid it, but she knew avoiding only made things worse, leading to
Fernanda’s mental health deteriorating. So, Stella didn’t dodge.
Recently, Fernanda had seemed better. Stella thought the episodes were over. But now, this had happened.
Why would you do this to me? Why?‘ Fernanda screamed, striking her again.
‘Ma… Stella couldn’t endure the pain and fell to her knees.
Liam heard the noise from downstairs and rushed up, peering through the door. Seeing the scene, his face turned pale with fear.
‘Mommy!‘
He tried to run to his mother, unable to understand why his grandmother was punishing her. But the maid quickly picked him up.
‘Liam, come on. Let’s go downstairs!‘
Stella saw Liam and, through her pain, called out loudly to the maid
‘Mel, please, take him away!‘.
Meanwhile, Nathan sat in his car, fidgeting with his tie.”
He couldn’t understand what was so special about Stella. Why was his grandmother so protective of her?
Maybe Anna was getting old and senile, or maybe Stella’s tricks were just too clever. In four years, she had been constantly shielded. He thought back to Olivia, who had done so much, yet Anna had never liked her.
Nathan pressed his thin lips together, picked up his phone, and dialed Stella’s number.
It rang for a long time, and no one answered. Just as he was about to hang up, someone picked up.
‘Stell…
But it wasn’t Stella who answered. It was a boy’s tearful voice.
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‘Daddy, where are you? Please come quickly… Liam’s voice wavered, hoarse from crying.
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