novelxo Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Stella recovered from her initial shock and resumed her indifference.
So this was what Bernard had meant when he said he could help her get her divorce finalized.
Once Brian was convinced that she was a vixen who went around seducing his friends, he wouldn’t want
her anymore..
She was unprepared for this moment, and a great sorrow filled her at the thought of what she would lose. However, she played along to get through this final hurdle.
Stella flashed Brian a wry smile and said, “Sorry, Mr. Foley. Unlike you, I need someone to depend on after the divorce, especially with Uncle Chris managing our family business.
“I need someone reliable and has a good reputation. Our family business depends on it after our social
downfall.”
Upon hearing this, Brian fixed his icy gaze on Stella. If looks could kill, she was sure she would be dead by
MOU
Her heart thudded hard against her ribcage.
Scared as she was, she mustered the courage to continue, “I have dreams to achieve, Brian. And if you can’t help me, I’ll just have to find someone who can.”
“So all the love you’ve given me during our marriage was just for show?” Brian asked darkly.
Stella nodded, a congenial smile curving on her lips. “You know how it is, Mr. Foley. We’re grown–ups, and
I need someone I can rely on.
“I had to be nice to you and convince you I loved you. How else will a disgraced socialite like me survive?”
Brian ground out, “And your father’s the one who taught you all this?”
Stella shook her head. “This has nothing to do with my father, Mr. Foley. I’m too materialistic and shallow to consider living outside fine society.”
Brian narrowed his eyes at her, the impassive look on his face growing menacing in the dim lighting.
Stella’s heart was close to falling out of her bottom at this point as she waited for his response.
In the end, she broke the silence. “Your true love has returned. It’d be good if you both became official.
“She comes from a rich family and is pregnant with your child as we speak! I’m sure your family loves her.
“As for me…” Stella paused as if struggling to find her next words. “It seems there’s no way I could get through to you, so I’m calling quits before I waste any more time or energy on you.”
With that, she walked back to the house and headed upstairs.
This was likely the last time she had to lie to Brian.
The tightening and aching sensation in her chest did not subside even after she had gone from the yard
to her room.
Stella stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows and gazed down at the yard. She saw Brian come out of the
car with his crutch to support him, each step heavy and difficult
She frowned. She wanted to go down and help him, but then Mike went out to help Brian into the house.
Stella’s shoulders sagged with relief.
Just then, her phone chimed with a message from Brian: “We’re getting a divorce tomorrow.”
She froze when she read the message. The pain in her heart made her keel over until she crouched on the floor, steadying her breathing.
She wanted to reply to him, but she wasn’t sure if she had anything worthwhile to say. As such, she texted
back a simple and impassive, “Got it.”
Stella was finally getting what she wanted. She shouldn’t be sad about it. She willed herself to have the
fortitude to get through life after this.
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Brian threw his phone on the floor after receiving Stella’s bland reply.
The next morning, sunlight broke out over the cerulean sky
Stella perched by the bay window and stared out at the scenery, her thoughts adrift.
The day she had been waiting for was finally here. This was the day she put an end to her and Brian’s two-
year marriage.
She padded to the mirror and sat down. She had stayed up through the night, and the shadows under her eyes were nothing short of horrific
Stella opened the vanity drawer, the inside of which had been compartmentalized to accommodate her makeup collection.
She took out a bottle of serum and squeezed a few drops on a facial sponge
face.
then dabbed it all over her
Stella’s marriage two years ago had been in a rush, but she wanted to doll up for her divorce. This was slated to be one of her biggest milestones, and she would loathe to wrap it up hastily.
After she was done with her makeup, she pulled on a pleated dress of her own design.
She combed through her wavy hair and let the locks cascade past her shoulders.
When she was done, she checked her reflection. The woman staring back at her in the mirror was radiant.
Stella put on her shoes and texted Sharon: “Hi, Sharon Brian and I are getting divorced today.”
With that, she put her phone in her purse and stopped outside Brian’s room.