It happened to be the exact day she bumped into Guinevere Cohen. Was it mere coincidence, or did
someone lash out on her behalf?
“This is our latest design, Miss. May I ask how old is the man you’re shopping for?”
“He’s eighteen.”
“Ah, perfect! Our new designs have been especially popular among youngsters. They’re modern,
fashionable, and made of high-quality materials that…”
Stella listened to the employee intently, hoping to find a set that would suit Roger best. Then, someone
appeared outside the store, waving his hands frantically at Stella. However, she didn’t notice him at all.
“Excuse me, Miss, but is that gentleman over there your friend?”
Stella turned in the direction the employee was pointing, and her eyes met with Michael Sealey…
She froze. Her pupils shrank.
Outside the store, the man in a black suit was smiling radiantly at her. He seemed to be saying
something, but she couldn’t make out his words due to the glass between them. She guessed it must
probably be a polite greeting or something
Stella took a deep breath to calm herself down and turned to the employee to excuse herself before
putting the shirt in her hand down and walking out of the store.
Michael stood at the store entrance as if waiting for Stella. His back was facing her. He should be about
forty now, yet age had done nothing to him save for endowing him with an air of maturity.
With a successful career added to the mix, it wasn’t hard for Stella to understand why her roommate
chose to be with him, even if it meant throwing her honor and decency out the window.
But she was no longer Stella Sealey. She was Ella Steele right now. Even if it was true that she would
be facing the relative who had betrayed her, all she could do right now was to put on a mask of friendly
politeness.
“What a coincidence!” she smiled. “I didn’t think I’d meet you here!”
“Quite a coincidence, indeed, ” echoed Michael. He gazed at her with what seemed to be a warm smile
on his face. But it didn’t matter how harmless he looked; Stella had seen his true colors a long time
ago.
“Is your wife not with you today?” Stella asked, tilting her head to look behind him.
“She’s still a little shaken emotionally, so she’s still
resting at home.” “Oh,” Stella nodded. “If there’s nothing else, then I…” “I’m Michael Sealey,” he cut her
off before she could finish. “I just want to apologize once again for mistaking you for someone else that
day.” “It’s fine,” she replied briefly. “I get mistaken for her a lot, actually. I must really look like the
woman named Stella…”
“You don’t just look like her,” Michael interjected, eyeing Stella up and down. “You’re basically identical
to her in every way. Even your names sound similar. If I didn’t know that Stella died a long time ago, I
would’ve thought she’s standing before me right now.”
“But the dead don’t come back to life,” Stella shrugged.” You both should try to move on from her
death. If Stella knew that so many people cared about her, she would’ve been happy.”
“Happy?” Michael’s sunny countenance was suddenly clouded over. “I’m not so sure about that. In fact,
I’m afraid she might bear a grudge against me.”
“Well,” Stella pursed her lips, “that’s a private matter of your family. I’m just an outsider ; it’s best I don’t
poke my nose in it.”
Michael took a step back, smiled, and said, “I saw you buying a man’s suit just now. Is it for your
boyfriend?
You’re not married yet, I presume?”
“No,” Stella denied before she could think about it.
“Oh?” Michael raised his brows. “Then who is it for? Don’t tell me that you happen to have a brother
too?”
Stella could see that his eyes were full of suspicion. She couldn’t admit to that, of course, so she tried
changing the subject.
“Excuse me, I’m a little busy, so…”
“Why do you seem so scared of me?” Michael interrupted her again before chuckling. He suddenly
stepped closer to her and stared her down.
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