Chapter 4

[ 846 words ]

After a chaotic frenzy that could rival a barnyard uproar, it was Orion who finally managed to pry Stella away. Ursula’s face was twisted in pain, tears welling up in her eyes as she glanced at Yorick, “Rick, I…”-

Yorick’s face was a shade of thunderous gray!

He barked at Orion, who was holding Stella back, “Just take her away, now.”

Stella tried to break free from Orion’s grip, but he wasn’t about to let her go.

This woman, her strength was unbelievable.

“Ms. Quinn, let’s head out,” Orion urged.

Stella exclaimed, “Purse, my purse.”

She had used her purse to hit Yorick earlier, and now it lay by his feet.

In a fit of rage, Yorick grabbed it and threw it at her.

Orion caught it and quickly stuffed it into Stella’s arms, “There, you’ve got your purse back.”

What a mess.

Eventually, Stella was dragged into the car by Orion.

Orion wanted to drive Stella home, but she wouldn’t have it, especially not Yorick’s man driving her. So, she took the wheel and left.

Yorick, still reeling from the impact, took a while to come back to his senses.

Seeing Ursula’s disheveled hair and swollen leg, he grew even angrier at Stella.

He scooped Ursula up, “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

Ursula nodded through her tears, looking utterly pitiable.

Orion was tasked with driving, but when he checked where he had parked, the space was empty.

“Ms. Quinn took the car.”

In the confusion earlier, Orion planned to drive Stella, but she had taken the car herself.

This only added fuel to Yorick’s already blazing temper.

Seeing Yorick’s face darken further, Orion said, “I’ll go to the garage and get another car.”

He had to grab the keys from the office first.

…

Meanwhile, Stella was stopped at a traffic light when her phone vibrated. It was a call from her biological mother, Cloudia Lawson.

“Come home tonight, there’s something I need to talk with you about.”

Stella opened a water bottle and took a sip, “Can’t do, I’m swamped.”

She knew what this was about and had no desire to hear it.

Cloudia, annoyed at the refusal, snapped, “What could possibly be keeping you so busy? It’s not like you’ve been caring much for Yorick.”

Cloudia had a complicated relationship with her daughter, a mix of love and frustration.

Stella retorted, “So, you’re bringing Ursula back to care for him?”

There was a brief silence on the other end as her voice trailed off.

Stella was well aware of what Cloudia intended to discuss with her. Two years back, she and Ursula had fallen out. If Ursula hadn’t decided to leave, she probably would be in jail now. Ursula was back, either Yorick or people of the Larkin family was afraid that Stella might make a scene.

Realizing Stella learned of Ursula’s return, Cloudia eventually didn’t try to hide. She softened her tone slightly, “It’s been so long since that incident. You need to let it go.”

The air turned chilly.

With the car window slightly open, a cold breeze swept in, cooling Stella and her heart as well. But just few moments later, she quickly shrugged off the cold discomfort.

“Ms. Lawson, I nearly lost my life in that car accident. It’s been just three years. Surely, you haven’t forgotten how I looked when I finally came home?”

As they found Stella, she had spent two months in the hospital recovering.

Ursula was behind the accident, fearing Stella would return to their family and take everything from her. The accident was meant to end Stella’s life, ensuring she’d never make it back to the family. And now her own mother was asking her to let it go?

Cloudia insisted, “It wasn’t her fault, you know. You shouldn’t always assume the worst of her.”

Stella tossed her empty water bottle into a nearby trash can with a perfect arc.

“So, she claims I’m being malicious, and you all believe her! If you’re so convinced, why bother with me, your own daughter? Maybe you should pretend you never found me. In fact, I’ll make it easier for you – I’m blocking you!” “Stella! Can’t you be rational for once? Not every conversation about this topic needs to end in an argument!”

Cloudia was livid.

Every discussion about Ursula ended the same way, leaving Cloudia extremely infuriated.

After berating Stella’s being unreasonable, she got to the point. “You always had issues with her before, but this time it’s different; she’s seriously ill.”

Stella scoffed, “So, she’s sick, and that means my wedding with Yorick needs to be postponed, with him by her side the whole time?”

Not that Stella cared much for Yorick, but the twisted values of these people still irked her enough to make a pointed comment.

Cloudia, fuming even more, said, “She and Yorick grew up together. She relies on him deeply. Don’t worry, Yorick will surely end up marrying you. Can we just focus on Ursula’s illness for this period of time?” They were treating Ursula like a precious gem, expecting Stella to step aside too.

It was all too annoying.

Cloudia noticed Stella’s silence, “Are you even listening?”

But Stella had had enough of their brainwashing and manipulative tactics. Without another word, she hung up and blocked the number.

She had blocked it before, yet somehow, it always got unblocked.

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