“All right, I got it. You’re so naggy.” Stella cut him off and flung the coat on him. “Remember to bring
along more clothes. I heard that it’s very cold there. Call me often, don’t keep thinking that overseas
calls are expensive.”
“I got it.”
Before the atmosphere became too depressing, Stella wiped the corner of her eyes and said, “Riley is
still waiting outside. Don’t be late now.”
Unlike Roger, who had been sheltered all his life and never went overseas, Riley’s family was very
open minded and pretty well-off.
She had gone on solo overseas trips many times, and it was obvious that she grew up in a very
positive family environment. She was a confident, bright girl, and Stella felt relieved at having Riley
accompany Roger on his overseas studies.
Upon hearing the commotion in the room, Riley stood up from the couch she was sitting on. “Ready?”
she asked.
She saw Roger’s reddened eyes and felt a pinch in her heart. “Isn’t it just going overseas? Don’t worry,
I’ll take good care of you.”
Roger remained silent.
He shot her a look and said, “We don’t know for sure who will end up being the one taken care of.”
Riley didn’t stoop to his level and instead hooked her arm around Stella’s arm. “Stella, don’t you worry.
I’ll definitely take good care of him and make sure he ends up round and fat!”
Stella could hold back a chuckle. “If he does anything wrong, you must tell me. Don’t let him bully you.”
“Don’t you worry!” Roger said, rather unhappily. “Who’s the bully? What’s more, you’re my sister. How
could you side with outsiders?”
Riley glanced at the clock. “It’s about time for us to head to the airport. Shall we…go? The car is
waiting downstairs.”
Roger collected himself and looked solemnly at Stella.” Stella…I’ll be off now.”
“You really don’t want me to see you guys off there?” Stella stepped forward. She had wanted to see
them off at the airport, but Roger rejected her proposal , saying that if she were to do that, he would
surely end up not leaving.
Roger nodded. “I’ll call you once I arrive.”
“Sure. Remember, don’t forget to call me. Otherwise , I’ll get worried.”
After seeing the car drive off, Stella’s eyes suddenly turned red, and she turned around to blow her
nose.
She was sadder than she imagined she’d be, though she felt inner joy at the outcome. She was
trapped in this small place with nowhere else to go.
Unlike her, Roger had broader horizons.
After they left, she was the only one left in the apartment.
Stella sat on the couch unmoving for a long time, staring at the furnishings around the house. A photo
of their family hung on the wall, with no dust clinging to it as it was wiped thoroughly every day.
She stood up, walked toward the photograph, and reached out to caress every face in the photo.
“Dad, Mom, I haven’t let you down, have I?”
She lowered her eyes. “But perhaps, I have embarrassed you. I will leave Weston Ford as soon as I
can. I don’t want such a shameless status for myself, too.” She shut her eyes and leaned her forehead
against the wall, feeling thankful that she did not introduce Weston to her parents back then.
She had wanted to find time to bring Weston to visit her mother’s grave, but all she ended up with was
a divorce agreement and Guinevere showing off before her.
The thought of the past would dissipate all the moments she had shared with Weston thus far. It was a
constant reminder that those sweet and tender moments were all phony.
The man had never changed. He had always been amorous yet heartless and cruel.
He would dote on you when you were a novelty to him, but when you snapped back to reality, the
would be no escaping, save for slow and gradual suffocation.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda