Three Years After They Abandoned Me novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Stella’s face was cold. She didn’t say a word and didn’t even look Lionel’s way.

Lionel walked in and shut the door quietly. He saw the croissant on the table, untouched. Thinking she might be busy, he took them over to her.

Lionel said, “Stella, I remember you loved these as a kid. You’d always beg me to buy them. The shop is still around and the croissant still tastes great. Try one.” He handed her a piece.

Stella didn’t even glance at it, much less take it.

Lionel said, “I was an idiot back then. It won’t happen again.” His heart hurt like it was being poked with needles. “Stella, I’m sorry for what I said.”

Tears welled up in Stella’s eyes, but she held them back. She looked up at the ceiling. His apology meant nothing now.

Back in Middle-South Yaria, during her darkest days, thinking of Lionel’s words, she thought, “Why just take my kidney? Should’ve killed me. If I’d died, there’d be no Stella. The Hayes family would be happy, and Lionel wouldn’t feel guilty.”

She’d never have escaped Middle-South Yaria without dreaming of Eleanor. She said lightly, “Mr. Quinn, it’s over. Talking won’t help.”

Lionel saw she wasn’t going to eat the pastry. He put it back in the box and closed the lid. Then he pulled out another box from his pocket and handed it to her.

He said, “Here’s a new phone. You’ll need one when you’re back. I set up a number for you and linked your bank card. It’ll be easy to use.”

Stella didn’t even look at it. She said coldly, “Take it back.”

Lionel’s hand shook as he held the phone. “I know you’re mad, but you need a phone. Get back to normal life. Everyone’s got one now.”

Stella stared at him coldly. “Mr. Quinn, I’m tired. Can I rest?”

The cold look in her eyes made Lionel choke up. He could barely breathe. He stood up. “Fine, I’ll go.”

Stella called out to him.

Lionel’s face lit up, hoping she’d talk to him. But she snapped, “Take this away!” He stayed quiet and didn’t move.

Stella tossed all that stuff right into the trash.

Lionel walked out of Stella’s room. Anna saw him and called pitifully, “Lionel.”

Max was getting ready for work and saw it too. He frowned, “Lionel, you…”

Lionel noticed Anna’s eyes were filling up with tears, and it made his heart ache. “She’s back; we need to talk.”

Anna understood Lionel had explained things. She smiled, her tears disappearing. “Lionel, didn’t we plan to see a movie? Can we go now?”

Lionel nodded. “Sure.”

“Let’s go then.” Anna took Lionel’s arm as they left.

1/3

Max pushed Stella’s door open, saw her lying in bed. He walked in and shut the door. He noticed her favorite snacks and a phone in the trash, his brow furrowing. “What do you want?” Max demanded, trying to hold back his anger.

Stella shut her eyes and stayed quiet.

Max lost his temper, pulling her off the bed. “We are doing everything for you. Can’t you see? What’s the big deal? You were only gone for three years. We know that, and we’ll make it up to you for thirty years or more. Isn’t that enough?”

Stella flinched from the rough yank, her face scrunching up in pain.

“That look again. Stella, stop it!” Max shoved her onto the bed.

Stella still looked pained.

“Stella, since you got back, I hoped you’d be okay, not stirring up trouble. Remember, my patience isn’t endless.”

Stella gave him an icy stare.

That glare hit hard; Max froze for a second.

“Mr. Hayes, just pretend I’m not your sister. I’m here for Grandma only; I won’t make trouble. Can’t say the same for others, though. Now get out, shut the door, and don’t bug me unless it’s important.”

Her tone was harsh. Max stormed off, mad at Stella. But then he wondered, ‘What did she mean? What was she hinting at?’

But Max shrugged it off. Stella was always plotting-who knows what she was up to? Heading out, he told the maid, “Clean Stella’s room and grab the phone from the trash to give back to Lionel.”

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