Weston was caressing her hair and accidentally pulled too hard. Stella gasped at the shar
p twinge of pain which sent tears to her eyes, which continued staring stubbornly at him.
Weston sighed and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I‘ve already
given you my word and I won‘t let anyone touch you. Trust me.” These were clearly tender words of pro
mise, yet he said it in such a cold and unfeeling manner.
Stella‘s words brought to his mind the one–
year promise they had between them, which Stella seemed to always have at the back of her mind.
Even though she appeared well–invested in the role of a woman who
only had eyes for him, it was likely that she was still thinking about how she could leave him. Otherwise
, why would she always bring up the one–year timeline? “Your acting skills have improved
tremendously indeed,” Weston looked into her eyes and commented. Stella didn‘t understand
what he meant but knew vaguely that it wasn‘t anything good. She said, “I just hope that you keep your
promise and do as you say.”. She chuckled self–derisively, “I don‘t want to always be on guard against
Guinevere‘s attacks, especially when I was forced
against my will to be someone‘s secret lover.” Weston’s face darkened, clearly displeased at how she d
escribed herself using such nasty terms.
“Exactly which part of you looks like a secret lover?” Stella said, “What must I do
to fulfill your image of a secret lover? Always hiding in the dark and living in the
shadows? I never hide from Roger, yet I‘m so ashamed about letting him know about our relationship...
” “You‘re the one who‘s overthinking everything,” Weston cut her off as frustration mounted in his chest.
“As long as you‘re willing, I can let our relationship be open and aboveboard.” The mocking smile
remained on Stella‘s face. “You can, but I still want my pride.” The world had always been
prejudiced in its judgments between men and women; between the powerful and the weak.
The pressures that she and
Weston faced were worlds apart. He could not even begin to comprehend her plight and the difficulties
she endured. He could only speak from his own perspective and regard the pressure she was
facing as nothing worthy to fuss over. The sudden ringing of the phone pierced
through the air, cutting through the tense atmosphere.
Stella saw Weston‘s face change.
When he answered the call, she stood up and walked to the other side, giving him space. Despite not h
aving much to speak to each other about, they displayed a certain level of chemistry that at times, was
often left unspoken.
Weston looked deeply at her without a word and left the room with his phone at his ear.
Stella simply stood where she was without following him out of the room.
A while later, she walked out in need of a cup of water.
When she walked past the hall, she saw Weston standing on the balcony, speaking
into his phone with slight annoyance, “Settle such trivial matters yourself. Don‘t spread your negative vi
bes to me.” As if possessed by something, Stella halted in her footsteps. The strong night breeze blew
across the balcony.
It hadn‘t snowed the past few days, but the harsh weather remained frigid and unforgiving. It was always
to the bone.
Weston didn‘t have much patience for those he did not deem important. “‘I don‘t have the time to listen t
Stella retracted her gaze and hid herself in the shadows.
She had some guesses as to whom Weston was on the phone with.
It was either that woman at Lowe Garden, or perhaps some other woman entirely.
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