Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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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?” This text is hosted at.net
“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-”
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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.
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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.
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Chapter 25
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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!”