Three Years After They Abandoned Me - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Stella clutched Eleanor tightly in her arms, afraid that she might not be able to hold back her tears if she kept looking at Eleanor.
The memory of those endless days and nights in Dusty Pines flooded her mind. She had cursed her fate, wondering why she had to endure such suffering.
It wasn't her fault. It was forces beyond her control that shaped her destiny. She didn't know who she would have become if she hadn't gone through it.
Stepping out of the room, Stella saw Max waiting at the door.
Seeing Stella, Max quickly approached and asked in a low voice, "You didn't say anything inappropriate to Eleanor, did you?"
"I did," Stella replied coldly, her eyes locked on Max's. She watched as his face darkened with anger, but she didn't give him the chance to speak. "I said everything. So what? What are you going to do about it?"
Max jabbed a finger at her. "Stella, do you even have a heart? Don't you know how much Eleanor has done for you? Telling her everything? Aren't you afraid she might..." he said, pausing.
Stella's icy gaze locked onto him.
Max knew there were things better left unsaid, but his anger got the better of him.
He demanded, "Stella, haven't we done enough for you? We agreed to your requests. You even had the transfer documents checked by a lawyer. What more do you want from us? For God's sake, she's your grandmother!
"Then what am I to you?" Stella demanded, staring straight at Max.
Max was momentarily stunned by her question.
Stella continued, "I'm asking you. What am I to you? Not a family member, right? You throw me away whenever it suits you. What did I ever do to deserve this much hatred?
"You say you love Grandma, so why aren't you the one getting into an arranged marriage? Max, you've got plenty of sugar mamas who adore you. Just sleep with them, and they'll help us out!"
Max slapped her across the face with a sharp crack.
Stella froze, momentarily stunned into silence.
Fiona said hesitantly, "Stella, have you completely lost your mind? How could you suggest that Max sleep with those sugar mamas? He's your brother!
"Max warned us you came back for revenge, but I didn't believe him. I thought no daughter of mine could be this heartless. But seeing what you've become, I'm starting to wonder how I ever gave birth to such a monster."
Stella put her hand down. Her face grew colder. "So, Fiona, what you're really saying is that marrying me off to Henry is for my own good? Because I was sold off to Dusty Pines, and even if I wasn't violated, my reputation is ruined.
"Now, Henry wants to marry me, and suddenly, he's the hero of our family? But if I ask my brother to do the same, will you say I'm the heartless one? Is that what you think?"
Fiona's face twisted with disgust. "Don't forget who brought all this trouble upon us."
Stella let out a mocking laugh and shot Max a look. "Exactly. Maybe you should all think about who really started this mess."
Max felt a sharp pain in his chest. "Was I supposed to watch you get humiliated? You're my sister! Besides, that issue was already settled. Weren't the next two problems entirely your doing?"
Stella nodded coldly. "Right, whatever you say. I used to think you were just biased, but now I see your moral compass is completely broken."
With that, she shoved past them, heading for the door. But Fiona immediately grabbed her arm, saying, "We're having you marry Henry for your own good. Are you really going to hold that against us?"
Stella didn't waste another word. She wrenched her arm free from Fiona's grip and stormed to her room.
Fiona hissed with fury. "Come back here!"
Max frowned. "Mom, let's just leave her be. She needs to sort this out on her own."
Back in her room, Stella touched her stinging cheek. 'Twice now,' she thought bitterly. 'I never expected my parents to understand me or shower me with love. But I hoped they wouldn't see everything I do as a mistake.
'Maybe I should never have been born. But I'm not giving up. If I survived that hellhole of Dusty Pines, I could survive this. I only came back for Eleanor.'
Stella had thought about taking Eleanor away, but she knew the rest of them would just hound them relentlessly. 'For now, I'll stay here. It's time to really plan my new life,' she thought.
The next morning, Stella woke to the sounds of activity outside.
As she stepped out of her room, she saw Henry sitting downstairs, waiting for her.
Acting as if nothing had happened the night before, Fiona stood up with a bright smile. "Stella, you're awake. Henry came early this morning and brought you breakfast. Come down and join us."
Henry smiled expectantly at her, his eyes full of anticipation.
Stella gave him a brief nod as a greeting.
Fiona called out warmly, "Come on. Let's sit at the table and chat while we eat."
At the breakfast table, Fiona made sure Stella was seated next to Henry, with herself and Max on either side of her.
Henry, sitting next to Stella, was in the seat of honor, directly across from Fiona.
Fiona beamed at Stella and said, "Look at all this food on the table. Henry made it all for you. He woke up at four this morning, worried you might miss breakfast. Isn't he thoughtful?"
She continued, "We even sent a portion to your grandmother. She was so happy when she heard Henry was here. After breakfast, why don't you take Henry to see her?"
Although the words seemed casual, Stella could sense the hidden message. If Eleanor was pleased, she would have no say in the matter.
Stella remained silent, and her compliant demeanor pleased both Fiona and Andrew.
Henry continued to pile food onto Stella's plate, but she didn't touch a single bite.
Max glared at her, clearly frustrated. "Stella, what's going on? Henry personally served you food. Why aren't you eating?"
Henry chuckled lightly. "It's alright. Stella and I are still getting to know each other, so I'm not sure what she likes yet. If she doesn't want to eat, that's fine."
Max shot Stella a pointed look, as if to say, "See how considerate Henry is?"
Stella let out a soft laugh. "You really are my wonderful parents, aren't you? Don't you know I can't stomach food in the mornings? I'm tired. I'm going upstairs." With that, she turned to leave.
Fiona snapped, "Stella, stop right there. Henry is still here. Where do you think you're going? If you won't eat, at least stay."
Henry gently intervened. "It's alright, Mrs. Hayes. If Stella doesn't want to eat now, that's fine. I'll stay with her, and we can eat whenever she's ready."
Fiona smiled and said, "Oh, it's nothing. She's just being a bit willful. You really shouldn't spoil her like this."
Henry gave Stella an affectionate look. "She's still so young. After everything she's been through these past three years, she deserves love and care now that she's back. I'm about to be her husband. If I don't spoil her, who will?"
He turned to the others. "Go ahead and eat. I'll accompany Stella to see Eleanor."