Chapter 178
Chapter 178:
Just as she sent it, another message popped up. It contained Sharon’s location. A private restaurant they used to haunt back in university.
Stella smiled.
This memory from her university days felt like a warm breeze.
Back then, she really enjoyed going to that restaurant with Sharon. The food was always good, and it didn’t cost much. They even became familiar with the owner.
But once she started dating Marc, he began turning his nose up at places like that, calling them cheap and maybe even dirty.
He had once sneered, “That place? Why bother? Our chef at home can make anything you want. And if you’re craving something special, I’ll take you to a real restaurant—not some greasy dump. Don’t go there anymore.”
To keep the peace, Stella had stopped going.
She hadn’t expected the place to still be open. But now, with Marc out of the picture, maybe it was time to reclaim a little piece of herself.
When Stella walked in, Sharon was already there, waving her over with that old familiar grin. “I ordered all our favorites. Still like the same stuff, right? Or has your taste changed?”
Stella gave a small smile as she sat down. “Same as always. You pick.” She was sure Sharon knew her preferences perfectly.
Sharon slid a glass toward her, filled hers with beer, and downed it in one gulp.
Something felt off. The way she drank, the slump of her shoulders. Stella leaned in, looking concerned. “Hey. Are you okay? You seem… off.”
Sharon was always loud, carefree, full of bite and charm. This quiet shadow sitting beside her? It didn’t fit. Stella could count on one hand how many times she’d seen Sharon look like this.
Sharon placed her disposable cup down on the table, then turned to Stella with a weary look in her eyes. “It’s not a big deal, really… it’s just that sometimes, I feel like there’s nothing meaningful in my life. I have money, sure, but that’s all I’ve got.”
She leaned back slightly and exhaled a deep sigh, visibly weighed down by her thoughts.
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Stella was glad the restaurant wasn’t packed. If anyone had overheard Sharon’s comment, it definitely would’ve rubbed some people the wrong way.
“Sharon, maybe what you really need is to fall in love,” Stella said gently.
Sharon had always kept to herself. She’d never had a boyfriend, not even a casual relationship. She was used to being alone.
But the moment Stella said that, Sharon nearly choked on her beer.
Sharon blinked at Stella like she’d just heard the most senseless thing ever. She pointed to herself, utterly baffled. “Wait, are you talking about me? You seriously think I need to fall in love?” To her, that idea was just plain absurd.
.
.
.