Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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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. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
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.
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Chapter 21
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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.
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3:26 pm
Chapter 21
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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
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