Three Years After They Abandoned Me novel Chapter 98

Andrew stared at the video in Eleanor’s hand. His first instinct was denial. This has to be fake

“Mom,” he said firmly, “Stella knows computers. She must have fabricated this. Anna would never do something like that

A smug smile curled Anna’s lips. ‘Of course. After all my efforts, my parents still trust me completely. And besides

“Bullshit!” Eleanor rarely swore, but her son’s willful blindness infuriated her. “Why don’t you take it to a professional and have them verify if it’s fake?”

Fiona stayed silent–if she opened her mouth, it would only lead to a screaming match. So, as usual, Andrew handled Eleanor.

Andrew said, “Mom, there’s no need for verification. Why would Anna do this? Yes, we considered marrying Stella to Troy, but we realized our mistake and dropped it.

“And that night at the party, we could barely get in ourselves. How could we have let Troy in? It’s impossible.”

Eleanor’s gaze sharpened, realization dawning.

Andrew, sensing the shift, quickly added, “We should go clear this up before it affects the family business.” He moved to leave.

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. “Andrew… I think this wasn’t just Anna’s doing. You and Fiona had a hand in it, too, didn’t you?”

Andrew stiffened. “Mom, what are you implying? Stella is my daughter. How could I do something like that to her?”

“Isn’t that the question?” Eleanor’s voice turned icy. “I thought maybe only Anna was rotten. But it seems the whole family is rotten.” She exhaled sharply. “Fine. Deny it all you want. Sooner or later, someone will make you answer for this.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the three of them stunned. ‘That’s it?‘

They exchanged glances. As long as they stuck to their story, Eleanor couldn’t prove anything. A quick public denial would smooth things over.

What they didn’t know was that Eleanor had already called Stella the moment she returned to her room. Stella wasn’t surprised. Just… tired.

She had long stopped expecting decency from her parents. No matter what they did, as long as it benefited them, they’d sell her out again without hesitation.

She was married now–to Jordan, a man they couldn’t control. So they’d tried to humiliate him, to pressure her into divorcing him and marrying someone of their choosing.

Sometimes, she wondered–were there really parents in this world who could be so cruel to their own child? Yes. Hers was proof.

“Grandma,” she said softly, “I might have to… disappoint you.”

Eleanor sighed. “Stella, just do what you have to do. You will never disappoint me. You keep treating them like family, but they’ve never treated you the same.”

Eleanor continued, “Tradition says parents are sacred. That no matter what they do, children must obey. But I say–enough. You have my support. Do what you need to do.“–

Stella murmured in agreement, tears spilling from her eyes. Grandma Eleanor had always been her reason to keep going.

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Chapter 98

Hanging up the phone, she opened her bedroom door to find Jordan waiting outside–still in casual clothes “You’re not at Nor today?” she asked, wiping her cheeks hastily.

“Was about to leave,” he said, shifting his weight awkwardly. “Came to find you earlier, but heard you talking with Grandma Didn’t want to interrupt.”

“What did you need?” Stella tilted her head.

Jordan extended his hand, revealing a small wrapped pastry. “Tried one at the gala last night–thought you might like it. Forgot to give it to you earlier, but it’s still fresh.”

As Stella accepted the treat, childhood memories flooded back–her parents always taking only her older brother Max to weddings and galas because “the family couldn’t bring all the children.”

They’d return with party favors, slipping them only to Anna while pretending Stella didn’t exist.

She remembered watching from the staircase as Anna’s face lit up each time. They could have taken extras, but chose not to. Not for her.

Stella examined the pastry and laughed without humor. She unwrapped it in front of Jordan and took a bite. A strange smile curved her lips–the kind she’d never worn as a child. “Thanks, Jordan. It’s delicious.”

To Jordan, that brittle smile cut deeper than tears. ‘What kind of childhood turns a cheap pastry into something profound?” He watched her eyes glisten.

“I’m not crying,” Stella whispered, even as tears tracked down her cheeks.

Jordan pulled her into an awkward embrace, patting her back. “It’s okay. Past is past.” Comfort had never been his strength.

She sobbed into his shoulder before suddenly pushing away, wiping her face with hurried swipes. “God, I’m making you late. You should go.”

He caught her wrist gently. “Don’t hide from me. Just be Stella.”

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