Chapter 25 53 vouchers Stella didn't look the least bit guilty . She met Irene's stare calmly . " you say you need help washing up ? " " Yeah , " Irene nodded , a sly little grin spreading across her face . No telling what kind of trouble she's planning now . " Then let's go ." " Huh ? " Irene had already stretched out her arms , ready to be carried - but Stella simply turned and walked toward the bathroom without looking back . " Wait - isn't Mom gonna carry me ? ' She thought . She'd already planned it all out : once Mom picked her up , she'd " accidentally " pull her hair - hard - to get revenge for Sylvia . " Mommy , aren't you gonna carry me ? " Irene called out , frustrated . " You're not a baby anymore ," Stella said without turning around . " You don't need me to carry you . I'm sure you can get down from the bed yourself ." Without giving Irene a chance to argue , Stella walked into the bathroom . Irene's lower lip trembled . She was upset that her plan had failed - and hurt that her mom hadn't carried her . Mom used to care so much - always afraid she'd bump or scratch herself , always carrying her everywhere . But now ... Irene looked down at the bed - it was almost half a meter high . Wasn't Mom worried she might fall ? She didn't know . Grudgingly , she belly - flopped onto the mattress , stuck her little bottom in the air, and struggled to slide one leg down until her toe barely touched the floor . It was exhausting . And it made her resent Mom even more . The moment she was free , she stormed into the bathroom . " Mommy ! Why didn't you carry me ? " " I already explained ," Stella said evenly , handing her a damp towel . " Here . Wash up . " Another break from routine . Irene's eyes widened . " You're not gonna wash my face for me ? " Revenge Plan B had been to " accidentally " splash water all over Mom during face - washing time . But now ? She could barely even reach the sink . " You're not a little kid anymore . You don't need me to- " 1/4 3:27 pm P P P P Chapter 25 " Ugh ! " Irene cut her off . " Don't you have anything else to say ? " Stella was quiet for a second . Then she said plainly , " No. " That was her answer . " Why ? " Irene frowned , completely battled by her mom's change in behavior . It never crossed her mind that she might be part of the problem . Was revenge wrong ? Mom had hurt Sylvia first - she was just fighting back ! If anything , she deserved praise . 65 vouchers The more she thought about it , the more justified she felt . " I don't care ! You have to wash my face ! And carry me while you do it ! " Stella didn't respond . She just stood there , holding out the towel . She didn't know what Irene was up to , but she figured she'd eventually give in and wash herself . And eventually , she did . up Irene yelled and tugged , but got no reaction . After sulking for a while , she finally snatched the towel and started scrubbing her face roughly . In the past , Mom would've said , " Wow , Irene's so grown up ! Washing her own face ! " or " You're still too little - let me help you ." But now , even after she'd rubbed her cheeks red and sore , Mom didn't say a word . From start to finish , Stella's expression remained calm - like she was watching a stranger do something unimportant . This was new to Irene . For the first time , a flicker of panic cut through her revenge plans . " Mommy , " she said softly , looking up . " Do ... do you not like me anymore ? " " How could I not ? " Stella forced a faint smile . " You're my daughter . Of course I like you . " No talking for dislike , but also nothing about like . Irene didn't pick up on the nuance . All she knew was that Mom had never lied to her before . So she believed her . ' Of course ,' she thought , ' I'm the most important person to Mom . She could never not like me .' " Then help me brush my teeth ." " Okay ." This time , Stella didn't refuse . Brushing teeth could be risky for a child . 2/4 3:27 pm P P P P Chapter 25 265 vouchers Even though her feelings for Irene had faded , her sense of responsibility as a mother wouldn't let her ignore a potential danger . That made Irene even more convinced of her place in Mom's heart . ' Fine , ' she decided . ' Since Mom loves me so much , I'll let her off the hook this time .' ' But she still has to apologize to Sylvia . I don't want her to be upset . " Mmph ! " Just as Irene was about to bring up the apology , a toothbrush was pushed into her mouth . Stella brushed her teeth - not roughly , but not gently either . It didn't feel like before . " Mmm - mmph ! " Irene frowned , uncomfortable . Stella ignored her , focused on finishing quickly . They'd already wasted too much time . If they dragged this out any longer , they wouldn't reach the Spencer residence until the afternoon . Before Irene could even complain after brushing her teeth , Stella was already pulling a dress over her head . The collar tugged awkwardly , stretching Irene's face and making it impossible to speak . By the time she was fully dressed , she'd completely forgotten about the toothbrushing incident . " Let's go , " Stella said , walking out without looking back . " Mommy , wait for me ! " Irene hurried after her . In the living room , Ernest sat on the sofa as if he'd been waiting . Without looking up , he said , " Bring her back tomorrow . " Whenever Irene and Stella visited the Spencer family , Richard usually insisted they stay overnight and leave after breakfast . Stella didn't break stride . She simply replied , " Okay " and continued walking calmly past him . She didn't ask why he wasn't coming , whether he was busy , or if he was tired . She didn't remind him to eat properly . She just ... left . Ernest raised an eyebrow , slightly surprised , but quickly returned to his usual detached expression . He'd always been like this - never asking how she was feeling , if she was upset , or if something was wrong . To him , her presence had always been insignificant . " Daddy ! " Irene stopped beside him , planting her hands on her hips with a serious expression . " Listen - you better not go see Sylvia while I'm gone . If I find out , I'll be really mad ! "