SWNOVELS Chapter 239
Stella woke up at 10 p.m., ravenous, her sleep shattered by hunger.
The booze from earlier had worn off, and as she blinked her eyes open, she was hit by an intense thirst.
The room was empty except for her. She got up, swung her legs off the bed, and had only taken a few steps when she heard Ronald's voice coming from the balcony. His tone was low and dangerous as he spoke into his phone. "Take care of it."
Even muffled by distance, the chill in his voice pierced through Stella, hinting at a peril she was all too familiar with. After all, she knew the kind of murky waters the Quinn family navigated, and with Ronald also being the heir to the Lugar family, danger was part of his inheritance.
Lost in thought, Stella barely noticed when Ronald slid the glass door open and stepped inside. The dim light revealed a brief clash of demon and saint in his eyes before they softened upon seeing Stella.
"Awake, sleepyhead?" His voice had lost its earlier edge, now filled with a gentle warmth as he reached out to touch her cheek, checking for a fever that had since passed.
Still groggy, Stella instinctively wrapped her arms around Ronald's lean waist.
"Ronald," she mumbled, her voice laced with discomfort.
"Hmm?"
"I'm so thirsty... and hungry," she complained. The alcohol had left her feeling awful, compounded by not eating since lunch.
Ronald stroked her hair gently. "Let's get you something to eat."
"I want a cheeseburger, fries, and maybe some fried chicken," Stella said, her specific cravings surprising even her. Ronald chuckled. "Alright."
He turned on the light fully, fetched a thick jacket for her, and zipped it up.
"It's gonna snow tomorrow," he mentioned casually as he dressed for the cold.
"Really? That's amazing! I love the snow."
Ronald's black coat draped over him, blending warmth and darkness seamlessly.
Stella stared, momentarily lost.
"What's up?" Ronald caught her gaze, a playful smirk on his lips.
"Nothing, just... Did you hurt your lip?"
Suddenly noticing that Ronald seemed to have a wound on his mouth, Stella stepped forward and reached out to touch it. Ronald's grip tightened on her wrist. "Don't touch."
Stella couldn't help but tease, "What happened? Got into a fight over a girl?"
The question hung heavily between
them, Ronald's face stiffening at the insinuation, while Stella immediately regretted her words. en.FindNovel.
Could Ronald actually be seeing someone?
The thought sent a pang of jealousy through her, her breath shaky.
Ronald's response was a flick on her forehead. "What are you even talking about?"
"Did I... say something wrong?" Stella's voice wavered, regret evident. "Come on, let's go eat."
Without waiting for his answer, she linked her arm through his, eager to escape the tension. Perhaps she didn't dare to hear his answer.
Ronald glanced down at her, sensing her sadness.
BUMS
As they walked, Stella's attempt to hold back tears failed miserably.
"Why the waterworks now?" Ronald's voice was gentle, teasing even as he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm not... It's nothing!" Stella protested.
She didn't dare to say it. But she just
it.
help it. The moments
her mouth, her voice.
filled with emotion. Content Belongs