Stella did not sleep soundly that night . Her mind kept returning to the gentle way Ernest treated Sylvia . The softness in his eyes and the care in his gestures was a tenderness she herself had never known . Half - asleep , Stella heard her phone ringing . Without even checking who it was , she answered groggily . An impatient voice snapped through the speaker , " Took you long enough . Stella , where're your manners ? " Hearing that voice , Stella jolted fully awake . It was Ernest's mother , Kourtney Lloyd . After a brief pause , Stella replied calmly , " What's the matter , Kourtney ? " " What ? Do I have to have a reason to call you ? " Kourtney's tone was sharp , edged with impatience . ' Kourtney has never liked me . She never thinks I deserve Ernest . She wouldn't call me for no reason . She must want something ,' Stella thought . When Stella remained silent , Kourtney paused briefly on the other end of the line . It was the first time Stella had ever been quiet with her , but Kourtney brushed it aside . " I heard Noreen has asked you multiple times for the design , and you still haven't handed it over ? " Stella knew instantly that Noreen went crying to Kourtney after failing to get the design . " I've been busy , " she replied flatly . " Haven't had the time ." " What could you possibly be busy with ? Your only job is to look after Irene and you've got Betty to help you . What , have you gotten so used to being served that you can't lift a finger anymore ? " Kourtney's voice was heavy with sarcasm . She was convinced , just as Noreen had said , that Stella was being difficult on purpose . Stella said nothing . Her repeated silence only irritated Kourtney further , who now understood what Noreen had meant about Stella's change in attitude . Swallowing her anger , she went on , " Richard has been saying how much he misses Irene . Since it's the weekend , bring her to see him this evening . Spend some time together . " At the mention of Richard , Stella's expression softened . Richard Lloyd was Ernest's grandfather , the one who had . encouraged their relationship and ultimately brought them together . As Richard often said , he and Stella's grandfather had fought together and shared a bond forged in life and death . It was also why Richard particularly disliked the Jansen family . He'd even had them thrown out on multiple occasions when they came to visit . Moreover , Richard was the only one in the Lloyd family who had ever stood up for her . It struck her then just how long it had been since her last visit and she should see him one more time before the divorce . " Alright , " she replied . As soon as the call ended , Noreen hurried over . " Mom , why did you let her come to Lloyd Manor ? What if she complains to Grandpa ? " Kourtney tossed her phone aside dismissively . " Don't overthink it . She's just throwing a fit because she's worked so hard and still hasn't gotten a single kind word from Ernest . Once we talk to her , she'll go right back to the way she was . " Noreen thought it over . ' Mom's probably right . To keep up her perfect image , Stella never says a bad word about us to Grandpa , no matter how we treat her . She even covers for us . A few times , Grandpa clearly noticed and tried to step in , but she always changed the subject . She might act all dignified around me , but around Mom ? She can't keep up the act . ' Noreen still felt that something wasn't quite right , but with Kourtney backing her up , she pushed her doubts aside and 1/3 3:25 pm M ppp Chapter 12 decided not to dwell on it any longer . 12:59 voucher Since she had agreed to take Irene to Lloyd Manor , Stella had no choice but to inform Ernest . But Ernest would never answer her calls . After a moment's hesitation , she called Betty instead . ' It's the weekend , no kindergarten . Irene should be at home ,' she thought . But to her surprise , she learned that Irene had been hospitalized with a high fever . " I see ." Stella hung up and rushed to the hospital . Whatever else was happening , Irene was still her own daughter , and her motherly instincts took over at once . She tried calling Ernest on the way , but as expected , it went straight to voicemail . Left with no other option , she sent him WhatsApp messages asking for Irene's hospital room number . When he didn't reply , she kept calling . By the time she reached the hospital , Ernest still hadn't responded . Stella's heart sank . ' How could he be so cold , ignoring a mother worried about her own child ? ' Stella was worried sick . Just as she was about to search for Irene room by room , she spotted Sylvia stepping out of the elevator . Realizing what it meant , she followed quietly . And as she expected , Sylvia had come to see Irene . Then Sylvia's voice , filled with guilt , drifted from the ward . " I'm so sorry , sweetie . This is all my fault . I never should have taken you to get your face painted . I'm the one who made you so sick . " Stella froze . ' So that's why Irene is in the hospital ? ' Then , she heard Irene's voice from inside the ward . " It's okay , Ms. Jansen . I'm fine . " Ernest leaned against the hospital bed , carefully peeling an orange . Sylvia stood nearby , her eyes red from guilt as she watched Irene , who lay quietly with an IV in her arm , her small face still flushed and slightly swollen . Sylvia pulled a plush toy from her bag . " Irene , I'm so sorry . This was all my fault . I should have paid more attention to you . It won't happen again . When you're feeling better , I'll take you to the new amusement park downtown to make it up to you , okay ? " When she heard amusement park , Irene's eyes lit up immediately . She had been wanting to go there for ages . " Ms. Jansen , I feel so much better already . The doctor said I could go home today . Can we please go this afternoon ? " " No , " Ernest cut in sharply . " Your face hasn't even gone down yet , and you're already thinking about running off to play ? " " Please , Dad ? I really want to go , " she pleaded , already dreading the thought of kindergarten on Monday . That meant she'd have to wait a whole week to go to the amusement park . And that felt like forever . After Irene's relentless pleading , Ernest finally gave in . " Fine . If the doctor says you're well enough this afternoon , we'll go tomorrow . " " Ms. Jansen , Dad said we can go to the amusement park ! " Irene was so happy that she nearly bounced off the bed . Sylvia smiled gently and handed the plush toy to Irene . Just as Irene reached eagerly for it , a voice cut through from the doorway , shattering the moment . " If you don't want her allergic reaction to get worse , you'd better not give her that ." 3:25 pm Pppp Chapter 13 Chapter 13