Chapter 8
Jenna froze, while Alaric’s face instantly darkened.
“What the hell are you implying, Stella? I’m her uncle!”
Stella’s lips curved into a mocking smile.
Interesting.
Only the guilty react so defensively.
“Give it to someone else then,” she said, her voice flat and emotionless. “Doesn’t matter who wears it.
It won’t be me.”
Alaric immediately frowned. “What exactly are you saying?”
“I’ve been perfectly clear all along.” Stella looked him straight in the eyes and stated coldly: “I don’t want to marry you. I won’t be at the wedding tomorrow.”
“Are you playing hard to-”
Alaric started to respond impatiently, but seeing Stella’s glacial stare, the words died on his lips.
His gaze fell to her heavily bandaged thigh, and he suddenly remembered how yesterday she had stabbed herself repeatedly rather than let him touch her.
An inexplicable irritation stirred in Alaric’s heart.
“The wedding is tomorrow. Stop this nonsense.”
That had to be it.
Stella was just acting out because he’d been neglecting her lately.
Once she got over this mood, she’d be eager to marry him again.
“As for the dress…” Alaric’s gaze shifted to the wedding gowIL
A Heart Once Broken A Life Reclaimed
Chapter 8
Stella expected him to react as he had in her previous life, forcing her to starve herself to fit into it.
Instead, he surprised her: “If you prefer the one you originally chose, wear that one.”
Jenna’s head snapped up. “Uncle Al…”
Alaric gently stroked her hair. “It’s fine. You can design something else next time.”
Jenna’s face paled slightly, but she nodded with practiced sweetness.
Alaric left with Jenna.
But not long after, Jenna returned alone.
She stood before Stella, her entire demeanor transformed, and coldly cut to the chase.
“You saw us in the car yesterday, didn’t you?”
The Jenna standing before her now bore no trace of her usual timidity, only naked hostility.
Stella didn’t answer directly, instead asking: “You drugged yourself, didn’t you?”
Jenna didn’t deny it.
“That’s right. Uncle Al has always loved me. I just gave him the push he needed.”
Stella understood now.
In her previous life, she’d never been sure if Alaric’s feelings for Jenna were one–sided or mutual.
This time, she had her answer.
“I wish you both happiness,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Her indifference only infuriated Jenna.
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Stella!” she snapped. “Though I have to admit, you’ve upped your game.”
She laughed with venom.
“Before, you were just a pathetic dog crawling after him. Now you’ve learned to act all dignified?
Chapter 8
You think because you’d rather stab yourself than sleep with him yesterday, he’ll suddenly care
about you?”
“Wake up! Today I’ll make you see exactly who Uncle Al would choose in a heartbeat!”
With those words, she lunged forward, pressing a cloth over Stella’s nose and mouth.
A sharp chemical smell filled Stella’s nostrils. She tried to fight back, but her injured leg left her too
weak.
The household staff had already left to give them privacy for their “personal conversation.”
Unable to struggle free, Stella lost consciousness.
Stella woke to intense heat.
Opening her eyes, she saw flames everywhere. Jenna was lying beside her.
Stella realized what had happened and turned to Jenna in fury.
“You set my house on fire? You’re completely insane.”
Jenna just laughed, her eyes wild with malice.
“You think Uncle Al gives a damn about you? Today I’ll show you just how far he would go for me! He’d let you burn to ashes before letting a hair on my head get singed!”
Just as she finished speaking, Alaric’s anxious voice came from behind Stella.
“Jenna! Jenna, where are you?!”
Jenna instantly transformed, her face melting into innocent fear as she forced tears to her eyes and called out in a trembling voice.
“Uncle Al! I’m here! Please help me!”
S
Alaric quickly burst into the room. He froze momentarily seeing Stella, but when Jenna cried out in pain from a burn, his attention immediately shifted back to her.
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Chapter 8
“Jenna!”
He scooped Jenna into his arms. Passing by Stella, he said hurriedly:
“Stella, I’ll get Jenna out first, then come back for you.”
With that, he strode away.
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