Chapter 517

Chapter 516:

Stella didn’t want to go back just yet; otherwise, Emily would bombard her with questions about the red wine on her dress.

Instead, she settled into a chair by the corridor.

“No, no. It’s late. It must be quite late back in the country. Why haven’t you fallen asleep yet?”

Damien’s initial excitement suddenly faded.

“Well, I can’t fall asleep. I just wanted to check how you were doing abroad, so I called.” Stella’s voice was so light that it concealed her true feelings.

“I’m doing very well.”

“What did RK do to you? Is everything okay?” Damien’s concern about RK lingered, despite his reluctance to mention him.

“I’m doing well. You don’t need to worry about me.” Stella frowned as memories of the earlier incident resurfaced.

“That’s good to hear. I’ll be home for the holidays, so you have to treat me to a big meal,” Damien said, sensing Stella’s desire to avoid the topic of RK.

About half an hour later, Damien urged Stella to get some rest. Reluctantly, she agreed and hung up the phone.

After ending the call, Damien felt as if he were dreaming. He pinched his face hard and winced at the pain, realizing he was indeed awake. It was Stella who had just called him, and he rolled happily on the bed.

Stella stood up and made her way to the dormitory.

Upon returning, she found Emily fast asleep. Grabbing her pajamas, she headed to the bathroom. Her phone had died, so she switched it off and placed it on the table to charge.

Meanwhile, RK, who was at Sophia’s place, had tried calling Stella several times, but all his attempts went unanswered.

gⱯlnσν퓮ℓs.cøm, your destination for tales He called the RK Mansion, but when they answered, they informed him that Stella hadn’t returned. They assumed she was with RK, so they didn’t bother to call her.

RK hung up the phone, determined to find Stella, but Sophia, freshly showered, interrupted him.

Glancing at Sophia, RK felt trapped.

He called Evan to ask where Stella was. Evan picked up, having thought RK would be asking about Stella’s whereabouts after seeing her. Who would have guessed RK hadn’t returned home to find her?

Evan was ready to confront RK about his carelessness regarding Stella.

RK, having hung up on Evan, nearly dropped his phone.

“Rene, it’s late. Why don’t you go to bed?” Sophia said, approaching him from behind and wrapping her arms around his waist.

RK turned, lifted Sophia, and placed her on the bed before lying down beside her, coaxing her to sleep.

Yet, his mind kept drifting back to Stella...

It felt as though she was gradually occupying a space in his heart.

A month passed, and the weather turned colder. The trees lining the roads began shedding their leaves, and the bright foliage floated down with the warm sunlight.

Fallen leaves were the most beautiful aspect of this season, creating a stunning golden carpet on the ground.

The city bustled daily, regardless of the season; people were preoccupied with the luxurious fashion surrounding them.

During this month, Stella stayed at college and hadn’t returned to the RK Mansion. RK hadn’t come to see her either. Stella learned from Evan that RK was busy the next day.

This month, Stella hadn’t received any calls from RK. Instead, Tristan and Damien reached out; Tristan checked on her well-

being, while Damien mentioned he would be returning soon.

Today was the day Damien was coming back.

Early in the morning, Stella woke up and roused Emily from sleep. Emily groaned, reluctant to get up.

“Why are you up so early? Damien won’t arrive until one o’clock this afternoon,” she grumbled, watching Stella as she got ready.

Stella had already washed up and changed her clothes, leaving Emily speechless.

Someone who didn’t like to sleep late could be quite annoying.

The previous day, when Emily noticed Stella back in the dorm, she immediately asked why she had returned, but Stella had kept quiet.

From that day onward, Stella lived at college for a month. No matter how Emily pressed her for details about that night, Stella remained tight-lipped.

When Emily went to the bathroom and saw the gown Stella had discarded in the trash, stained with red wine, she could only guess what had transpired. Since then, she refrained from asking Stella about it.

Stella shifted her gaze from the car window to Emily, who had just returned with coffee. After taking a sip, Emily remarked, “Stella, it’s only ten o’clock in the morning. Why are we going to the airport so early? Damien must still be in the air. Why not grab something to eat first?”

“Didn’t you just have breakfast a little while ago?” Stella pointed out, glancing at Emily’s stomach.

Emily quickly covered her midsection. During this month, as Stella stayed at college, Emily found herself developing quite an appetite. If she wasn’t careful, she might gain a few pounds.

“Uh... Let’s just pick up Damien, haha,” she said, suddenly serious as she focused on driving.

Stella smiled at Emily and turned her gaze back out the window.

That morning, Stella thought it might be nice to pick up Damien earlier since she hadn’t seen him in a while. She missed the little boy who used to follow her around.

Upon arriving at the airport, Stella and Emily walked toward the pick-up area. Suddenly, Stella spotted a familiar figure, and beside him stood someone she recognized well.

“Stella, isn’t that RK and Sophia?”

At Emily’s words, Stella fell silent. She glanced at RK and Sophia before pulling Emily away.

As if sensing her presence, RK turned and saw Stella turn away.

“Rene, what are you looking at?” Sophia asked, tugging at RK’s arm as she followed his gaze to see Stella’s retreating figure.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go,” RK replied, turning to move forward.

Sophia followed closely by RK’s side, secretly feeling triumphant.

So what if she had married RK? RK was still hers.

On the other side of the terminal, Damien emerged from the exit, and Emily shouted to him, eager for him to see them.

“Stella! Sister Emily! Long time no see!” Damien exclaimed, quickening his pace when he spotted them.

After rushing ahead, he immediately hugged them both.

Stella gently patted Damien on the back.

At that moment, RK turned his head and caught sight of... something stirred within him. He didn’t know why, but seeing Damien embrace Stella made him feel uncomfortable. The sight of them together felt too conspicuous.

After Stella and Damien had a meal outside, his family called, urging him to come home. Damien reluctantly said his goodbyes to Stella and Emily.

On their way back to college, Stella received a call from RK, telling her he would pick her up later, prompting her to suggest Emily head back to school first.

It took RK a month to remember her presence. It was ridiculous to even contemplate...

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