Chapter 21 Chapter 21 158 Vouchers Stella got out of the car without a word , breathing in the fresh air outside . She felt some of the heaviness in her chest lift . She'd leave once Ernest arrived . " Mom ! " Irene scrambled out after her . " Just go already ! " " I told you ," Stella said , her patience wearing thin . " I'll leave when your dad gets here ." Maybe her tone was too sharp - Irene looked startled . Or maybe she was just worried Sylvia would show up and see her mom still here , ruining everything . Tears welled up in the little girl's eyes . She squeezed them shut and yelled , " Mom is so annoying ! " Funny - Stella was feeling the exact same way . Years of putting everyone else first had slowly erased her own sense of self . Whenever something went wrong , even if it wasn't her fault , she'd immediately wonder what she'd done wrong - how she'd failed to meet their expectations . Her own feelings ? She'd buried those long ag But now , this irritation - it felt strangely liberating . It was almost ... refreshing . She realized she was allowed to feel upset . She Was allowed to have emotions . " Whatever makes you happy ," Stella said , looking down at her with a faint smile . Irene could say whatever she wanted . Stella was past caring . As long as she fulfilled her duty as a mother , that was enough . This wasn't the reaction Irene expected . Wasn't Mom supposed to give in the moment she got upset ? That's how it always used to be - one little pout , and Mom would cave . But now ... Seeing her mom smile so freely , like she didn't even care , made Irene furious . She felt ignored . Unimportant . Fine . If that's how it was , she didn't want a mom anymore . " Go away ! I don't want you ! Just leave ! " she shouted , pushing against Stella's legs with all her might . She wasn't strong enough to actually move her mom , but before Stella could tell her to calm down - something happened . " GRRROWWWL- ! " A fierce , deep bark erupted nearby , scattering pedestrians in panic . A dirty , snarling German Shepherd appeared out of nowhere , its eyes locked hungrily on the small , fair - skinned girl . Drool hung from its mouth in thick strings , dripping onto the pavement . It looked like it couldn't wait to take a bite . 1/3 3:26 pm P P P P Chapter 21 * 5 , 56 Volchera Irene froze in terror . All her anger vanished instantly . " Mommy ! " she cried , scrambling toward Stella . " Pick me up ! Hurry ! " In the past , Stella would've scooped Irene up without a second thought - nothing mattered more than her daughter's safety . Even if it meant risking herself . But today was different . There was another little girl nearby - wearing a fluffy pink dress and a jeweled hairclip , delicate and finely dressed - now trembling under the dog's fierce gaze . She whimpered softly , " Mommy ... Daddy ... where are you ? Trisha is scared ... " " Irene , move back . I need to help that little girl . " Stella couldn't just look away . She turned briefly to instruct Irene , but before she could act , a small hand gripped hers tightly . " Why are you helping her ? She's not your daughter ! Just carry me and let's go ! " Irene's voice was sharp with panic and jealousy . Truthfully , Stella didn't fully understand why she felt compelled to step in . Maybe it was because that little girl reminded her of Irene not so long ago - small , soft , unsteady on her feet but determined to find her mom . How she'd whimper like a kitten when she fell . " Mommy , where are you ? " " Mommy , it hurts ... come quick ..." Back then , Stella would gently pick her up , hold her close , and whisper comforts until Irene rewarded her with the sweetest smile . " GRRR- ! " Another aggressive snarl pulled her back to the present . " Stay back , Irene . Find a safe spot , " Stella said firmly , prying the small fingers from her arm . She walked steadily toward the other little girl . " Your name is Trisha , right? " The sudden gentleness in the woman's voice soothed the frightened child slightly . Trisha turned her tear - streaked face toward Stella and nodded weakly . " How ... how did you know my name ? " " I heard you calling for your mom and dad , " Stella replied softly . Stella kept her voice calm and steady , trying to distract the little girl so she wouldn't make any sudden moves that might startle the dog . She moved slowly closer , ready to scoop her up . " Trisha , sweetie , stay very still , okay ? I'm coming to get you . " Trisha wanted nothing more than to run into her arms , but the lady said to be good - so she stayed put . Good girls don't move when they're told not to . She nodded , tears still fresh on her cheeks . " Ok , I'm being good . I won't move . " " You're doing great , " Stella said warmly . Trisha relaxed a little , offering a shy smile . 2/3 3:26 pm Chapter 21 5255 vouchers Just as Stella was within arm's reach , the German Shepherd suddenly lurched forward two steps , its nose twitching aggressively toward them . Its sharp fangs were fully exposed , and Stella's heart leaped into her throat . " Trisha , remember - don't move ! " Stella whispered urgently . " I won't ... " Trisha answered , trembling . Thud- A rock suddenly struck the ground nearby , shattering the tense standoff . Stella turned and saw Irene standing a short distance away , already picking up a second stone , ready to throw . ' Hmph ! If Mom likes that girl so much , I'll ruin it ! ' Irene thought , ' Mom is mine - no one else's ! ' When Irene saw Stella looking her way , she grinned triumphantly . She didn't understand what her actions might cause - she only knew it would upset her mom . The startled dog went into a frenzy , barking wildly before lunging straight toward Trisha . " Trisha ! " Stella cried out . Without thinking , she threw herself forward , wrapped the girl tightly in her arms , and rolled them both out of the way before scrambling up and running toward the car . " GRRROWWWL- ! " The dog chased after them , snarling . Even without looking back , Stella could smell its foul breath . Carrying a child made it impossible to move fast enough . She was just about to set Trisha down somewhere safe and lead the dog away herself when a driver nearby noticed the chaos . He leaned on his horn - a long , blaring sound that finally scared the animal off . " Hah ... " Stella collapsed onto the pavement , breathless and shaking with adrenaline . " Auntie , are you okay ? " Trisha asked softly , reaching up to wipe the sweat from Stella's forehead . " I'm fine , " Stella said , offering a tired smile . But when her eyes landed on Irene - who was now walking slowly toward them , looking almost disappointed that her plan hadn't worked - Stella's expression hardened . " Ire 2/2