Chapter 6
Her phone buzzed–a text from Old Mrs. Mitchell.[]
[Stella, I’ve been thinking about this for days. I know it’s unfair to you, but Ryan is all I have left. Please give him another chance. Maybe if you two spend more time together, something real will develop.1]
[I already chewed him out, and he swore he’d treat you right. Please, humor an old woman and give him one more shot.][]
Stella closed her eyes and let out a long breath.]]
What was the point?]
But thinking of Jake made her heart soften.]
Stella said quietly: “Okay. Your call.“]
Ryan was over the moon that his begging worked and immediately started planning their wedding shoot.]
An hour later, they boarded a yacht.]
Except Claire was already on board.[]
Ryan tried to reason with her: “Stella, you know Claire has depression. Getting some fresh air will be good for her.“[]
He carefully watched Stella’s expression, but didn’t see the expected embarrassment, awkwardness, or even anger, which left him puzzled.
Stella’s face showed no emotion: “Whatever.“[]
With that, she walked to the other side of the yacht.[]
The sea breeze tousled her hair as Stella stood on the deck, calmly gazing at the ocean.[]
Claire appeared behind her at some point, her voice dripping with sarcasm: “I’ve always wondered–just how shameless do you have to be for a Rivers family heiress to willingly play the other woman!“[]
“Bottom line, I’m Ryan’s legal wife! You’re just his guilt–relief tool!“]
Stella turned around and met her angry eyes:[]
“First, I never chased after your husband–he’s the one who’s been obsessing over me,
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Second, everyone in the city knows about the Rivers–Mitchell family engagement. When he and I got together, you two weren’t even married yet. Who do you think people would consider the real homewrecker? []
Finally, I am who I am–Stella Rivers, not anyone’s guilt–relief tool.“]
Her powerful words left Claire completely humiliated, her face turning red as a beet.[]
But Stella couldn’t be bothered to keep arguing and walked away from her.[]
The next second, a scream came from behind her.]
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Chapter 6
Claire threw herself into the ocean with a loud splash, instantly grabbing Ryan’s attention.[]
“Claire!” F
Ryan’s voice came from the cabin, then he rushed out and jumped into the water without hesitation.[]
The frantic Ryan knocked into Stella, making her stumble and fall into the sea too.[]
Being a terrible swimmer, her body sank immediately as the icy water swallowed her whole. Water rushed at her from all directions like countless invisible hands, dragging her limbs and pulling her into the depths.[]
It was winter, and she was only wearing a thin shirt. The freezing seawater made her shiver violently as she struggled desperately, unable to even shout a complete “help me.“]
She watched helplessly as Ryan dove to rescue Claire, the feeling of powerlessness growing heavier in her chest until she finally ran out of strength and sank under.[]
When she woke up, Stella was lying in a hospital bed.]
The door burst open as Ryan lost it on her for the first time: “Stella! I’ve explained this to you so many times–there’s nothing between Claire and me! Why are you so jealous that you’d push her into the water?!”]
He was furious, accidentally smashing the vase beside her bed.[]
The crushing disappointment exploded in that moment, like a dull knife slowly cutting through her heart.
Stella could barely breathe from the pain, holding back tears as she said stubbornly: “Ryan, I swear I never wanted to hurt anyone, and I definitely didn’t push her!“]]
“What about you? Be honest–is there really nothing between you two?“]]
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Midolahi Calls from His Sister in law? Jake’s on You I’ve Already Left the Charl
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Chapter 7
