Chapter 23 Sylvia hadn't expected her to be so calm . Was she faking it ? ' She thought . * IT There was no way the same Stella who'd once loved Ernest so desperately - so self - destructively - could be this unaffected .' ' She must just be putting on a front , Sylvia decided . She doesn't want to show weakness in front of me Satisfied with her own conclusion , Sylvia's smile turned even more mocking . " Well then ... I'll let you wait and see . " With that , she straightened up and walked over to where Ernest and Irene were waiting . " Sorry to keep you waiting , " she said , her voice sweet and light . " Sylvia ! " Irene reached out eagerly , and Sylvia swept her into her arms . " What took you so long ? I miss you so much ! " " My bad , sweetie , " Sylvia said , pinching Irene's cheek playfully . " I was just thanking your mom for keeping you company . " " Ugh ! " Irene scowled . " She didn't have to stay ! I told her to leave . It's her own fault ." " And also , earlier she- " Irene launched into a one - sided rant about everything Stella had done " wrong , " carefully leaving out the part where she'd thrown a rock . In her version , Stella was the villain - always . Sylvia played along perfectly , gasping in all the right places . " Oh , she shouldn't have treated you like that , my precious . " Within minutes , Irene's already sky - high admiration for Sylvia shot through the roof . " Sylvia , I love you the most ! " she declared , hugging her tightly . " I've decided to take back all the love I gave to Mommy . " " Oh ? And what will you do with it ? " Sylvia asked , her voice warm . " I'll give it all to you ! " Irene announced proudly . " Really ? Then I must be the luckiest person in the world . " " And I'm the luckiest kid ! " They leaned their heads together , chatting happily while Ernest stood nearby , watching them with a soft , approving smile . They looked like the perfect little family . Still sitting in her car , Stella watched it all . She told herself it was fine - that she was over it , that she'd moved on - but her chest still ached dully , like a blunt knife twisting slowly . Her breath caught . Sylvia , of course , noticed . Out of the corner of her eye , she saw Stella's pale , strained expression . A satisfied smirk touched her lips before she kissed Irene's cheek . Then , arm in arm with Ernest , she walked toward the amusement park . Irene's excited voice carried back : " I love being with you , Sylvia ! Even more than with Mommy ! " Stella let out a long , shaky breath . She was just about to start the car and leave when her phone rang . It was her aunt . 1/3 3:27 pm P p pp Chapter 23 " Aunt , " she answered , forcing calm into her voice . " Is everything okay at home ? " " What ? " came the sharp reply . " I can't call my own niece if there's no ' emergency ? " 265 Vouchers Her aunt's tone softened from teasing to gentle scolding . " Honestly , how long has it been since you last visited ? If I didn't call , would you ever remember to check in on us ? " Stella felt a sharp pang of guilt . She really hadn't contacted her uncle's family in far too long . She didn't even know how her grandfather was doing - was he still as strong and healthy as he used to be ? The more she thought about it , the worse she felt . All these years , she'd been so focused on winning back Ernest and taking care of Irene that she'd unintentionally neglected the family that mattered most . " Stella ? Are you still there ? " When she didn't answer right away , her aunt's voice turned worried . " What's going on ? Just tell me where you are - I'll come find you ." A deeper voice chimed in from the background - her uncle , who'd clearly been listening the whole time : " Whatever it is , kiddo , you're not alone . Your uncle's got your back ." " Uncle , Aunt , I'm okay , " Stella said , swallowing hard to keep her voice steady . " I was just driving and got distracted for a second . " As if to prove it , the sound of the car engine turning over came through the phone . She began pulling slowly into the street . " You're driving ? " Her aunt sounded instantly concerned . " Oh , my fault - I should've asked . I'll let you go . Focus on the road . " " Okay , " Stella replied softly . She didn't argue , mostly because their sudden warmth and care felt like a dam breaking inside her . Emotions she'd held back for years came flooding out . She needed a moment to collect herself so they wouldn't worry . ***** " Mom's driven by herself before . Why should I be worried about her ? " Irene pouted into her smartwatch , annoyed by the warm , teasing voice on the other end . " Uncle Harvey , I'm at the amusement park right now . Can you stop bugging me ? " " Alright , alright , my bad , " her uncle chuckled . " Just don't forget - come with your mom tomorrow . " " I know- " Irene dragged out the word , already tuning out . Sylvia finally agreed to bring her to the amusement park , and first Mom ruined the mood , and now Uncle Harvey was calling . So Annoying . " Daddy , " Irene said , looking up at Ernest after hanging up . " Uncle's back from abroad . He wants me and Mom to go to the Spencer family tomorrow , but ... " She paused , glancing reluctantly at Sylvia . They'd already made plans for tomorrow - Daddy had even promised to help her skip school ! 9/2 Chapter 23 If she went to the Spencer house , how could she spend time with Aunt Sylvia ? But if she didn't go ... Uncle Harvey and Great - Grandpa had always been so good to her . She couldn't just say no . Irene was seriously frustrated . ' Why did Uncle have to come back now of all times ? ' She thought . ' Couldn't he have waited a couple more days ? Then she could've gone out with Aunt Sylvia tomorrow ! " Enough , " Ernest said , reading her conflicted expression . He ruffled her hair . " You'll go with your mom to the Spencer family tomorrow . Be good ." " But Sylvia promised to take me out tomorrow , " Irene whined , her little face scrunching up . Sylvia smiled and gently smoothed her brow . " It's just one day , sweetie . We can go play another time . I promise . " " Really ? " Irene's eyes lit up. Sylvia nodded warmly . " Of course . I could never disappoint my precious Irene . " " Sylvia , you're the best ! " Irene threw herself into Sylvia's arms , nuzzling against her . " I wish you were my mommy . " " Irene , you mustn't say that ," Sylvia said gently , though her eyes gleamed . " Ms. Spencer would be very sad if she heard ." " Who cares about her ? " Irene pouted . " And Sylvia , when we're together , can we not talk about her ? It's such a buzzkill ." " Alright , we won't mention her , " Sylvia agreed smoothly . " Now , let's go have fun . " " Yay ! I want to ride the carousel ! You have to come with me , Sylvia ! " ***** " So ... you're saying Irene has to come with me tomorrow too ? " Stella frowned , her expression uneasy . AD Comment