novelxo Chapter 4
Chapter 4
“You’re regretting it? Is your love that cheap? Has it all disappeared after only two years?” Brian said
cuttingly, his eyes boring into hers.
Stella was pinned down against the pillows. Her face was devoid of emotion. “Yes. I regret it. I won’t like
you anymore.”
She wasn’t worthy.
Therefore, she would give up.
Brian’s expression became colder as he said sinisterly, “Fine. Since you don’t love me, I’m going to be even less lenient. I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life to pay for what you’ve done. I’ll
torture you for the rest of your life.”
Stella was shocked. “Even though my father had schemed against you, was it really that unforgivable ?”
“Yes. I hate people scheming against me. That is why you must stay with me for the rest of your life to
make up for what you’ve done. You have no choice.”
With that, he got up and left, slamming the door on his way out.
Stella sat there in a daze. She had never imagined that Simon’s trick against Brian would be a debt that she would have to spend her entire life repaying
The next day, when Stella woke up, sunlight was streaming in through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The
weather looked bright and cheerful, which was in complete contrast to her mood.
Her stomach was hurting again, so she decided to get up for some food and medicine.
Stella went downstairs for breakfast.
Yvonne had made her some oatmeal. “Mrs. Foley, eat as much as you can.”
“Alright.” Stella ate slowly.
Stella had a sweet–looking face, and Yvonne felt sorry for her. She stroked Stella’s hair in commiseration.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter came from outside. Stella turned to see Brian walking in with Jessica.
Stella froze with a dark expression on her face.
What a scumbag! He had refused to divorce her and was now even bringing his mistress home!
“Yvonne, set a place at the table. Brian walked over elegantly, dressed in a black suit.
Yvonne was only a housekeeper, so she did not dare to disobey. She set a place at the table obediently.
Brian and Jessica sat down. He acted as if Stella did not exist, and he put some tuna on Jessica’s plate as he said, “You’re pregnant. Have some more fish.”
Jessica looked gratified. She glanced at Stella and said awkwardly, “Your wife is here.”
“She won’t mind.” Brian was expressionless.
Stella felt her heart twist.
He was right. She was just here to pay a debt. She shouldn’t care about this.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Foley. Brian and I have known each other for a long time. This is just how he is. He’s taking care of me out of habit, especially since I’m now pregnant.”
Jessica spoke with poise, and it was clear that she was well brought up.
Stella said lightly, “Don’t address me as ‘Mrs. Foley.”
She detested the term of address and did not want to be connected to Brian at all.
“Why?” Jessica looked at Brian in confusion. “Are the two of you on bad terms?”
Brian pressed his lips together and said nothing
Jessica turned to look at Stella and asked in a gentle, probing manner, “Is it because he’s often away from
home?”
“No.” Stella’s expression was impassive. “This was a marriage alliance. We never had any feelings for
each other to begin with!” she said, glaring at Brian.
Brian’s eyes were as cold as ice and did not have even a shred of warmth in them.
Jessica could sense the tension between them. She felt reassured and said gently, “Stella, could you please pass me the salad? Brian doesn’t like eating vegetables, so I’d like to serve him some. He needs to
eat more healthily.”
Stella said, “There’s a Lazy Susan on the table, isn’t there? Just turn it. The salad will reach you.”
“Oh, you’re right!” Jessica looked as if it had just dawned on her. I’m sorry, I’ve been abroad for so long that I forgot about that.”
“Aren’t there Lazy Susans abroad?”
I
Jessica paused for a second. “No, I often eat alone, so don’t use things like that. I’m very lonely.”
Stella felt that Jessica was saying this for Brian’s benefit, so she did not answer.
“You’ve had a hard time over the past few years,” Brian comforted her.
“No, it wasn’t that hard.” Jessica smiled. She turned the Lazy Susan, and the salad came over to her side.
She put some on Brian’s plate. “Brian, you should eat more vegetables. The vinaigrette dressing in this tastes great. Try some.”
Brian glanced at Stella. She was eating her oatmeal impassively, and she did not seem to care.
“Alright.” Brian put some in his mouth.
There was a flash of scorn in Stella’s eyes.
She knew that Brian was very particular about cleanliness.
She had once gotten up early to make a salad for Brian so that he would eat his vegetables. She
remembered smiling and saying, “Bri, have some salad before you go. I put in a lot of effort to make this.
“Even though there are vegetables in it, I’ve also added tuna and sesame. It’s delicious! You should. appreciate my efforts and have some.”
Brian had said in disdain, “I don’t eat food that other people have touched.”
However, he was now eating the vegetables that Jessica had served him.
Perhaps he was only particular about cleanliness when it came to Stella.
Stella’s expression was wooden.
On the other side of the table, Brian ate slowly, looking very charming.
Jessica watched him eat with her cheek resting on one hand. She smiled and asked, “Does it taste good?”
Brián inclined his head. “It’s pretty good.”
Jessica looked happy. “I knew it! When we were at school, you would never eat vegetables during
lunchtime. That was when I realized that you don’t like eating vegetables.”
Brian smiled slightly. “You have a good memory.”
“Of course I have a great memory! It’s been so many years, but I still remember how you looked every time you got an award. You always looked so confident and proud, and of course, you were the dream. guy of all the girls at our school. There were more than ten girls in our class alone who had a crush om you. Back then, you were everyone’s favorite topic of conversation.”
Brian smiled. “Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”
“It’s true! There were really so many people who had a crush on you. That’s why my mother said that I had great taste.” She was implying that she had fallen for Brian, too, and that she had great taste in men.
Stella laughed inwardly.
How could he claim that Jessica wasn’t a homewrecker?
Jessica had just blatantly confessed her feelings.
She looked at Brian, who had just taken a sip of coffee. His gaze swept over Stella’s face, and he said
nothing.
As he hadn’t responded to Jessica, she looked at Stella
Stella ate her oatmeal silently.
Jessica looked rather awkward. “I’m sorry, Stella. Brian and I have known each other for many years. Whenever we meet, we just can’t help talking about the past.”
“Oh,” Stella smiled thinly. She wondered what on earth any of that had to do with her.
However, Jessica did not seem to want to let her be. She kept chattering about the past.
She went on and on about anecdotes from their childhood and how close they had been, and she just stopped short of accusing Alfred Foley, Brian’s grandfather, of splitting them up.
It seemed that Alfred had been the one who objected to the two of them being together.
However, Stella had no interest in listening. She glanced at Brian, hoping that he would shut Jessica up
However, Brian did not seem to be listening. He blew slowly at the food on his spoon and ate a spoonful, looking as if he was savoring it thoroughly.
Was he enjoying the admiration of this woman?
Stella huffed coldly to herself.
What a shameless man he was!
Even if he was enjoying it, he shouldn’t do it to her face. She had no interest in watching them being lovey- dovey together as it made her nauseous.
Suddenly, Jessica said, “Stella, you have feelings for Brian, don’t you?”