Chapter 745

Chapter 745:
Disgust curled in Stella’s chest at the sight of him. But the thought of Truett—who had shown her rare kindness when she first entered the Walsh family—made her hesitate.
She couldn’t completely shut down his request.
“Stella, I know you care about Grandpa. Just this once,” Marc coaxed. “Come with me. See him.”
Reluctantly, Stella agreed, but she leveled him with an icy stare. “I’m only going for your grandfather. Don’t get any other ideas.”
Marc bobbed his head eagerly. “Of course, of course. We’re just making Grandpa happy.”
At the estate, Stella’s chest tightened when she saw how frail Truett had become.
His eyes lit up the second he spotted her. “Stel, it’s been forever!” Truett exclaimed, stretching his arms wide. “Come here, let me see if you’ve been taking care of yourself.”
Stella’s chest warmed. Out of the entire Walsh family, Truett was the only one who truly made her feel seen.
“I’m fine,” she said softly, then tilted her head at him. “But I heard you’ve been having trouble eating. What’s wrong?”
Truett dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “Ah, just the usual aches. Don’t fuss over me. Tell me about you instead, your love life? Anyone special caught your eye?”
He still held onto the hope that Stella would one day be part of the family again. Marc might have been a fool, but Truett had always liked the idea of Stella as his granddaughter-in-law.
“Grandpa, why ask her that?” Marc cut in, trying to sound casual but not quite pulling it off.
Truett’s sharp glare could’ve cut glass. “Did I ask you? Zip it. I’m talking to Stel.”
Marc’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, quickly backing down.
With a flick of his hand, Truett shooed him toward the door, signaling that he wanted to talk to Stella alone.
After Marc left, Truett reached over and gently clasped Stella’s hand, his tone soft but probing. “Stel, be honest with me—are you interested in anyone out there?”
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William’s face flashed in Stella’s mind before she could stop it. She quickly pushed the thought aside and shook her head. “I’m not interested in relationships right now.”
A wave of relief washed over Truett, a smile tugging at his lips. If she had no one, Marc’s chances weren’t entirely lost.
“Stel, you’re a good girl. Marc didn’t cherish you back then—that was his mistake. But I’m getting old now. I just want to see you happy before I go. I hope… I hope to see you both doing well.”
Stella’s brows drew together. “Truett, Marc and I are no longer—” He cut her off gently, raising a hand. “I’m not saying you should get back together right away. I know the past between you was hard. I won’t force you. But at least… give Marc a chance to show whether he’s truly changed.”
If anyone else had said that, Stella might have laughed outright. She didn’t believe Marc could change. Selfishness ran in his veins—it was who he was. But coming from Truett, the words felt heavier, harder to dismiss. She didn’t want to hurt him, yet she couldn’t agree either.
So, she stayed silent.
.
.
.