Chapter 18 65 voucher All because she had thrown a tantrum for oatmeal , her mother had rushed to prepare it - ignoring her own scalding injury -just to make her happy . Only after Irene finished eating did Stella tend to her own burns . That's how she got that fierce , permanent scar across her back . Even the best creams could only fade it slightly ; it never truly disappeared . Now , the little girl stared up with watery eyes , on the verge of tears . But for the first time , Stella felt no ache in her chest- not even the urge to comfort her . The " new mom " appeared daily in her Instagram - Irene talked about her constantly . The so - called " old mom " was only remembered when needed . How ironic . Stella shook her head with a faint , tired smile . Without another word , she stepped around Irene and headed toward the bed . Ernest probably wasn't coming back tonight . Maybe she could finally get some rest . But Irene wasn't having it . Furious that her mother hadn't given in , she rebelled with everything she had . " I don't care ! I want a story ! Mommy , read to me ! " She snatched her storybook , ran to the bedside , and began shaking Stella's arm relentlessly . Her high - pitched voice was grating . " I don't care , I don't care , I don't care ! I want it ! " " Yeah , " Irene replied plainly . Stella rubbed her throbbing temple , her voice hoarse and sharper than intended . Irene froze - then her eyes welled up . She squeezed them shut and screamed , " I hate you , Mommy ! I don't want you to be my mom anymore ! I want Sylvia to be my mom ! " The words hit Stella like a physical blow . Her lips paled , trembling slightly . Reading those " new mom " posts online was one thing - but hearing it aloud , in her daughter's voice , cut deeper than any knife . For a moment , even Stella's numb heart felt ripped open - as if by a blade . The wound left behind was raw , deep , and agonizing - the kind even time would struggle to heal . ' I don't want you anymore ... I want her instead ' So , in her eyes , the mother who had cared for her all these years meant less than a woman who didn't even prioritize her safety ? Stella almost laughed . She felt like the biggest joke in the world . At first , Irene had felt a little guilty - afraid her mom would scold her or lecture her . She hated lectures . But when she saw Stella actually smile , that guilt turned to rage . " Stella Spencer , I hate you ! You're not my mom anymore ! " Choking on tears , Irene turned and ran out of the room . 1/3 3:26 pm pppp Chapter 18 Though her daughter's words had chilled her to the bone , Stella couldn't deny the truth : Irene was still her child , her responsibility - one she couldn't simply walk away from . Lloyd Manor was vast , and with Grandpa's fragile health , the household was kept quiet at night . Only a few staff members remained on duty , mostly for emergencies . If Irene ran off now , there was no telling what might happen - and no one might notice until it was too late . Pushing down the hurt and frustration , Stella hurried out into the hallway . The second - floor corridor was dimly lit by warm - toned night lights , casting long , shifting shadows that felt almost eerie . Stella didn't see Irene anywhere . She was about to head downstairs when sharp , familiar voices drifted up from below- laced with mockery and irritation . " Mom , you have to make Ernest teach her a lesson this time ! She lives under our roof , spends our money , and still has the nerve to act like that ? If we don't put her in her place now , she'll be walking all over you tomorrow ! " Noreen was clever - she didn't just speak for herself . She made it about their mother , too . And it worked . Kourtney's gentle smile vanished , replaced by a cold , pinched expression . " Did you hear what your sister said ? " she asked , her voice sharp . Ernest sat nearby , half shrouded in shadow , half in the warm light of the living room . His features were hard to read , distant -as if he occupied a world no one else could enter . His eyes showed no reaction to their demand that he " discipline " his wife . His expression remained detached , unmoved . " I understand ," he said calmly . " I'll freeze her cards ." After all , Stella stayed at home . She had food , shelter , everything she needed . What did she need money for ? It never crossed his mind that for years , Stella had managed every detail of their domestic life - the quality meals , the tailored clothes , the careful selection of everything that kept their daughter healthy and comfortable . If her cards were cut off today , by tomorrow he and Irene might be wearing ill - fitting or out - of - season clothes , eating foods that could trigger the little girl's allergies . Yes , there were cheaper options that wouldn't cause allergic reactions - but would Irene ever eat them ? That simple bowl of oatmeal Irene loved - the one that seemed so effortless - took careful selection of ingredients and thoughtful preparation . It wasn't just boiled oats . Nothing that good ever came easy . Hearing him agree without a second thought to " teach her a lesson , " Stella , still standing on the second floor , swayed on her feet . She nearly lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs . Even though she had already decided to divorce Ernest , seven years of caring for him weren't nothing . Even a dog would show some loyalty after all that time - let alone a person . Seven years . Seven years she had looked after him , waited for him - hoping , even if he never looked back , that he might at least treat her with a little dignity . Not like this . Not with a cold , dismissive " I'll freeze her cards . " She gripped the railing tightly , her smile bitter . She could almost taste the bitterness spreading through her . Just as she was about to turn away , unable to bear any more , a name she knew all too well - one she could never forget , even in her dreams - reached her ears . 2/3 3:26 pm PP Chapter 18 " By the way , " Kourtney's voice carried clearly , " what's really going on between you and that Sylvia ? " When he spoke of her , Ernest's tone softened almost imperceptibly . " It's exactly as it seems . " Kourtney frowned . " I don't usually interfere , but I have to remind you - Sylvia may be talented . She's a rising star in the jewelry world , and plenty of influential people admire her . But her background ... it's not exactly respectable . If you insist on being with her- " " Enough . " Ernest's voice turned cold . " I know what kind of woman I want . " " Fine . " Kourtney didn't press further . She had never liked Stella , but she didn't think much of Sylvia Jansen either - a woman tainted by a dubious past . But what could she do ? The Lloyd family might appear to be led by Sebastian , but ever since Ernest took over the company and led it to new heights , the title of " family head " had become little more than a courtesy - a role they keep him happy . Real power rested solely in Ernest's hands . Whatever he decided , whatever he did - even if someone objected - it wouldn't matter . Kourtney had said what she felt was necessary . That was all . In the end , whether he changed wives or not - it wasn't really her concern . 519