novelxo Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Brian felt a throbbing headache coming on. He tenderly ruffled Stella’s hair and sighed. “You know how it
- is. Sometimes, guys just can’t help themselves.”
Stella paused, her tear–filled eyes meeting his gaze.
Leaning in, he tried to reassure her, “And hey, we’re not officially divorced yet.”
Stella’s face swelled with anger. “We’ve already filed the papers. You have to respect that and quit pushing me.”
“Alright,” he murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace and planting a kiss on her forehead.
Stella’s mind was filled with a swirling mass of confusion,
“What’s he playing at?” she mused.
He said he couldn’t stand her, yet his actions screamed possession.
Puzzled, she sought refuge in her studio, turning to Yelena for some clarity. “Yelena, if a guy divorces his wife but still craves intimacy with her, what’s your take on that?”
Yelena furrowed her brows in thought. “Maybe he’s just trying to satisfy his desires?”
Stella was speechless. “But he’s got a girlfriend. Why doesn’t he turn to her if he’s got needs?”
Yelena locked eyes with Stella. “Brian’s the one you’re talking about, right?”
Stella blushed.
Yelena pressed on, her tone serious, “Has he been making moves on you lately?”
“No!” Stella denied, her breath hitching with nervousness. “It’s just… kissing and hugging…”
Yelena leaned in, her expression intense. “Stellie, don’t be naive. A man’s heart and his desires can be two
separate things.
“If he truly cared for you, he’d leave that other woman. If he doesn’t, don’t let yourself be used. Don’t let him have his cake and eat it too, enjoying you while still being with her.”
Yelena’s words struck a chord with Stella.
A shadow passed over Stella’s eyes as she acknowledged the truth. If Brian really cared, he’d break things.
off with Jessica.
If not, it meant she wasn’t–worth the trouble. Stella refused to be swayed by Brian’s occasional gestures
of affection.
With a determined nod, she reminded herself to keep her guard up and not let Brian snatch her heart
away again,
In the afternoon, Stella’s phone rang again. It was Chris on the line, asking about the money.
Stella remained guarded as she replied, “Uncle Chris, I’m afraid I won’t be able to manage that.”
Chris‘ tone turned sour. “Why not? 300 thousand isn’t a big deal for Mr. Foley, is it?”
“It might not be a big deal for him, but we’re already divorced,” Stella explained.
“Why?” Chris
pressed.
“Haven’t you heard the rumors? His first love came back into the picture, and they ended up together.
Brian divorced me because of her.”
As Stella recounted this, she couldn’t help but recall how Chris had swiftly informed her about Charles company going bankrupt, yet remained oblivious to her plight amidst Brian’s and Jessica’s scandal.
Chris hesitated for a moment. “But aren’t those just baseless rumors? You can’t trust everything you hear.”
“It’s not that. Brian told me himself and even had me sign the divorce papers,” Stella countered.
Chris’s tone grew more impatient as he said, “Alright, Stella. Did Mr. Foley offer you anything after the
divorce?”
“Nothing. He claimed the whole marriage was a setup orchestrated by my dad and made it clear he wouldn’t give me a dime. He told me not to even think about it,” Stella replied with a hint of bitterness.
Chris sighed deeply. A mixture of frustration and concern was evident in his voice.
“Stella, why did you act so rashly? If he said he wouldn’t give you anything, you should have come to me. I’m your family. I would have helped you find a lawyer to fight for your rights!”
Stella sighed in response. “It’s already over,” she said dejectedly.
“So now you have nothing?” Chris inquired.
Stella nodded. “Yeah, nothing.”
1
“Stella, you… How am I supposed to defend you? Why did you regard your marriage so lightly? You didn’t even consult your elders before making such a big decision.
“You’ve given me such a headache. Well, I’ll go talk to Mr. Foley and see if there’s any chance to salvage this situation. If there is, you’ll come back with me and apologize to him.
“Regardless, your father went through a lot to arrange this marriage. We shouldn’t give up so easily!” Chris’s frustration was palpable as he voiced his disappointment in Stella’s actions.