Chapter 17 Grandpa had been unusually chatty tonight - going on and on about Ernest's childhood , and how they matched each other . Stella listened patiently , nodding in the right places , her voice soft but distant . She didn't lean in . She didn't promise anything . After a while , even Sebastian noticed . He sighed heavily . " Alright , " he said finally , his voice tired . " You should go find Irene . She'll be looking for you . " Stella nodded . It was time for his rest anyway . She stood , smoothed her skirt , and stepped out of the study - only to let out a slow , quiet breath the moment the door closed behind her . And there she was : Noreen , leaning against the wall like she'd been waiting . Same condescending smirk . Same cold look in her eyes . Stella didn't bother engaging . She turned toward the stairs . Their bedroom was on the third floor . Once they reached the hallway - safe from Grandpa's ears - Noreen quickened her steps and cut in front of Stella , leaning way too close . " Did you forget what I told you ? " Noreen hissed , though she kept her voice low . " Where are the designs ? I'm still waiting . Stella took a half - step back , creating space . Her voice was calm . " I said I don't have time . Find someone else . " " Are you insane ? " Noreen's voice trembled with anger . " Where am I supposed to find someone ? Do you even get what's at stake here ? " It wasn't just about connections - though she had none in the design world . It was about consistency . She'd been passing off Stella's work as her own for years . If the style suddenly changed , people would talk . Her whole career would implode . She took a sharp breath , trying to sound reasonable . " Look , I know what you're doing . You want my brother's attention - and hey , he brought you here tonight , didn't he ? It's working . So why stop now ? " Then she stepped even closer , a sly , threatening glint in her eyes . " You're playing hard to get with this whole divorce talk , and honestly ? It's kind of genius . But don't push it . I could always tell him you're not bluffing . What happens then ? You really wanna find out ? " But Stella didn't flinch . The word " divorce " didn't even sting anymore . If anything , it sounded like a promise . " Then go ahead ." She had no interest in continuing this argument with Noreen . If Noreen could actually speed up the divorce process , Stella might even thank her . " You- " Noreen hadn't expected Stella to still refuse to back down , even now . She reached out to grab her , but just then , a door nearby swung open . 1/3 1:25 pm P P P P Chapter 17 " Mommy ! " Irene stood there in her pajamas , freshly washed , with Ernest right behind her - bhis face unreadable . Noreen instantly let go , shooting a nervous glance toward her brother , afraid he might have overheard . " Auntic , don't bother Mommy . She doesn't know how to draw designs anyway . " 155 vouchers Noreen's heart dropped . " No , I wasn't - we were just talking about drawing together sometime ," she stammered . " But Mommy doesn't know how to draw , " Irene insisted innocently . She'd never once seen her mom draw anything . The little girl couldn't understand why her aunt - a professional jewelry designer - would ask her mom for design drawings , then pretend they were just planning an art date . " Mommy only knows how to wipe tables , cook , and read me stories . If you really need help , you should ask Aunt Sylvia . " At the mention of Sylvia , Irene's face lit up with admiration . " Do you know Aunt Sylvia ? Her full name is Sylvia Jansen , and she's a super famous designer ! Last time Daddy took me out , I saw a necklace she designed . It was so pretty . When I grow up , I wanna be just like her - not like Mommy ... " Caught up in her excitement , Irene forgot her mom was standing right there . She quickly covered her mouth with both hands . Her childish words , clear and bright , hung in the quiet hallway . Noreen shot a furious at Stella , her eyes blazing with blame . Mom talk to you ." " Fine . Just wait - I'll Without even saying goodbye to Ernest , she stormed off downstairs , her footsteps heavy with anger . Stella wasn't bothered bn's threat . It didn't matter who came asking - her answer would still be no . The Lloyds had never been particularly fond of her anyway. What was one more reason for them to dislike her ? She didn't even flinch when Ernest turned and walked away the moment she arrived . After all these years , she was used to it . Instead , she looked down at Irene , who was pouting heavily . She didn't ask why - she simply said , " Irene , it's late . Time for bed . " " But you haven't read me a story ! " Irene protested , her lower lip trembling . It had been days since she'd seen her mom . Even though she'd had fun with Sylvia , there were still nights when she missed being held by her mother , listening to her soft , gentle voice - like a songbird - that always lulled her to sleep . Lately , without those stories , she hadn't been sleeping well . She'd even felt too tired to fully enjoy her outings with Sylvia . Tomorrow they were going to the amusement park - she didn't want to be sleepy halfway through ! " Next time , " Stella said quietly . She didn't know that her daughter saw her as little more than a sleep aid - a tool to ensure she'd have enough energy to play with Sylvia the next day . 2/3 3:26 pm P PPP Chapter 17 0 vouchers But after everything that had happened lately , Stella simply didn't have the energy or the desire to tell bedtime stories . All she wanted was rest . She was exhausted - not just physically , but deep in her soul . " Mommy ! " Irene's eyes widened in disbelief . She'd never been refused like this before . In her young mind , her mom had always given in to her every whim - except when it came to limiting sweets or dangerous play . Even the angry scar across Stella's back was proof of how far she'd go to protect her .