SWNOVELS Chapter 1
"Your husband and I are in Shangri-La room No. 1108, we're together now. Why won't you divorce him, Stella? Do you have no shame? Neither his body nor heart belongs to you."
Standing outside the door of room No. 1108, Stella Grace looked on indifferently at the text message flashing on her mobile phone. Long eyelashes shielded the darkness in her eyes, and she kept her face clear of emotion.
The door opened.
Frederick Addington walked out, his sultry assistant hanging provocatively in his arms. Pausing, he smiled roguishly, "Here to catch me cheating again Why don't you come in? It's hot outside, aren't you tired of standing?"
Unconcerned, Stella said, "I'm afraid of disturbing you and affecting your performance. Are you fully recovered now then?"
Frederick's eyes flashed with anger at the insolent tone. "That's certainly very rich coming from you, especially when you are the unchaste one in the first place."
Stella started to laugh, laughter which soon turned to tears.
Three years ago, she had been kidnapped by Frederick's ex-girlfriend. Making her escape, she had been raped by a mysterious man. Not far off, a car in the distance started to rock on the spot. It was Frederick and the woman who had kidnapped her. The pain she felt from her lower body paled in comparison to the rending pain tearing through her heart.
Even now, Stella had no idea how she went through that day. Just the sheer thought of it continues to send shockwaves of pain through the most tender part of her heart.
"If I make you uncomfortable, I apologize. I'm used to this tone," Stella lifted her chin lazily.
Frederick's eyes were cold as ice. "What are you doing here, exactly? Don't tell me you came just to make me angry."
"I'm afraid you' re right. Your instincts have always been accurate." Stella smiled calmly.
"Get lost." The tone was apparent.
Undeterred, Stella handed over a document from her bag.
Instead of taking it, Frederick eyed it warily. "What's this?"
"It's her." Stella gestured towards the voluptuous woman standing at the side.
"What about me?" The woman laid her hand possessively on Frederick. She had heard through the grapevine that Stella was not on good terms with her husband. From the looks of today, it seems that this was the truth: Frederick hated his wife with a passion. The cards were in her favor.
Stella Grace waved the documents in her hand. "Your reputation precedes you in Los Santos. I'm sure you slept with - what - 80% of the rich and wealthy in the city? Unfortunately for you, one of them has been diagnosed with AIDS just last month."
The assistant's face turning a pale shade of white.
Turning her gaze towards Frederick, Stella asked, "Did you guys use a condom? Otherwise, I have a few doctors I'm familiar with, and I'm happy to introduce them to you."
Snatching over the document, Frederick glared at Stella, only to throw the same document onto her face. "You always had a talent for making people unhappy."
She stood upright. The slap of the paper on her face hurt more than she imagined.
Mockingly, Stella said, "I'm counting on you to spend the rest of your life miserably."
"Then I must do the same to you, or how can I be happy? I'm not heading home today, so don't wait up." Frederick responded with a fit of dark anger. Turning sharply, he made his way to the elevator. She stood there, expressionless. She understood the subtext of what he was saying: Tonight, Frederick would spend his time in the arms of another woman, taking on a different scent. Fie had never touched her ever since she had lost her virginity. In his eyes, she was worse than a whore.
Her eyes misted up. Just because she was silent, just because she kept her tears to herself, it did not mean the hurt was any less.
The assistant slapped her. Shocked, Stella staggered backward, leaning on the wall.
"You' re despicable. Did you think he would return to you just because you ruined me?" The assistant clenched her fists.
"I was never after the heart of that vile man." Mustering her strength, she delivered a ringing slap to the assistant's manicured face. "Don't mistake me for someone you can bully." "Why won't you divorce him" The assistant roared desperately.
"You have not earned the right to know. This information will be exposed on the Internet tomorrow. I wish you all the best." Coldly, she left the hotel with a few departing words.
It was now late at night.
Stella tugged at her clothes, walking along the desolate road. The forlorn moonlight stretched her shadow. Going home would only depress her, and she made her way to the hospital's duty room instead.
As soon as she turned on the lights, a soldier in green military uniform came up to her, his face framed solemnly by the night. Anxiously, he asked, "Are you the doctor on duty?"
The tension was contagious. "What's the matter? Is there something wrong with you."
"A pregnant lady was held forcibly nearby, and her amniotic fluid has ruptured. The situation is critical and needs emergency attention. Will you please come along with me?"
Once the amniotic fluid has ruptured, the situation could quickly turn dire for both mother and child. Without hesitation, Stella said, "Give me 5 minutes to pack a first aid kit, and I'll come with you."
Following the soldier, she arrived at a garden situated near the hospital. There were already a dozen soldiers standing guard, their faces grave. They stood still, clearly well-trained, and prepared to act upon instructions from their superior.
Stella found herself led into Room
802, opposite that of 801 where the scene was unfolding. At a glance, she saw the man in command.
There was no doubt about it. Hion et
face was chiseled and strong, seemingly made from the hands of the finest sculptor. He had a commanding presence, and more curiously, he was speaking to an audience with three-star lieutenants.
Despite his youth, was he already a general?
The man trained his sharp gaze on her. Startled, she hurriedly cast her eyes on the floor. He walked towards her, his shadow casting an imposing figure. She was reminded of the man from that night. He had been strong as well. So strong, her struggles had been futile from the beginning.
"Lift your head" Jasper Milton ordered.
His keen gaze scrutinized her delicate face. His lips were tightly pressed together.
Under pressure, Stella raised her
head, taking look at the formidable
man standing in front of her. He was
one of the rare specimens of man who could inspire fear in people even without speaking a single word. "I'm a doctor, not a criminal." She protested.
An enigmatic light flashed in Jasper's eyes, and he turned to his subordinates, "Let her go, and ask for someone else."
Confused, Stella asked, "Why not me?"
"The three people inside are leaders of a drug trafficking ring. They are ruthless and kill without thought. Would you dare to treat them?" He placed the question to her.
"Why not?" She asked in return.
Jasper's eyes tightened, and he lifted her chin. "Think carefully before you answer me. Once you are in, no one can tell how dangerous it is. It's not a child's play, and this is not a rehearsal." His breath spilled over her lips, tingling.
But Stella was nothing but stubborn. The more people looked down on her, the more determined she became.
"If I'm afraid of death, I wouldn't be here in the first place." She declared, looking straight into Jasper's eyes. In his eyes, there was too much darkness swirling, and she could see her reflection staring straight back at her.