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Stella was stunned.
“Wait… What did you just say?”
Stella wondered if she had misheard.
Jennifer went on, “Stella, as you see, my son’s a good–looking workhorse. At least your future kids will be easy on the eyes.”
Kids?!!
Stella was too shocked to speak.
Nathaniel arched a brow, “Enough, Mom. I need to get back to work.”
“Shut up boy. You weren’t marrying your job.” Jennifer sulked.
“If possible, I will.” Nathaniel shrugged.
Jennifer rolled her eyes and turned to Stella, “Stella, you’re a good girl. Honestly, I’ve always wanted you in our family. Now that cheap man has wronged you, why not give my son a chance? And I can help you with your problems.”
Jennifer held Stella’s hand while saying that. Her palms were warm and soft, reminding Stella of her mother.
TP
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Thoughts of Diane made Stella blue again. She was still lying in ICU waiting Stella to bring money.
“I…”
As Stella was about to speak, Jennifer interrupted, gently squeezing her palm, “No rush to reply. You have time to think about this. As I said, I could help you with ALL of your problems. Everything. As long as you ask. And of course we’ll repect your decisions. I will always see you as my friend.”
Stella was stunned. She could sense that Jennifer and Nathaniel’s gazes were fixed on her. They were waiting for her to answer. Her brain was in a whirl. For a moment she couldn’t speak anything.
“I… I…” Stella turned to Nathaniel, “What do you think of this marriage? Do you want to marry me?”
“Why not.” Nathaniel quickly answered.
Earlier, he suspected that Stella approached Jennifer on purpose, until Jennifer brought her here just now, he was convinced of this fact.
he was more
Now, Nathaniel thought that Stella was a Gold–Digger who had just dumped her boyfriend. A gold–digger could be easily disposed of. With her, Jennifer wouldn’t be bugging him all the time, pushing him to get married.
Stella’s jaw dropped to the ground.
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“Will you marry me?” Nathaniel asked emotionlessly, like he was talking about some business.
Jennifer elbowed him hard, “Be nice and gentle. You’re proposing!” She turned to Stella and smile, “Will you be my daughter–in–law, my darling?”
Her eyes filled with hope.
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Stella blinked several times. She remembered that Diane had said something about deperately wanting to see her get married. She remembered the thick pile of bills in her drawer….
“…Okay, I will!” Stella finally said.
Jennifer clapped cheerfully.
“Awesome! Grab your ID tomorrow, OK? We’ll meet at the City Hall. Now, you two spend some time getting acquainted.”
Jennifer pushed Nathaniel towards Stella’s direction and he stood in front of her.
Stella reached out to Nathaniel.
“Mr. Beaumont, nice to meet you. I’m Stella Edwards.”
Instead of shaking hands, Nathaniel handed her a business card.
“My info,” he stated.
“Alright.” Stella took the card, realizing that Nathaniel had no
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intention of speaking to her.
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So far Nathaniel hadn’t given her a serious glance yet. He was clearly just using her to handle Jennifer’s pressure, but it was fine. They both got what they needed.
“Stella, add Nathaniel on WhatsApp. Reach out if you need anything.” Jennifer gave Stella Nathaniel’s contact.
Stella put the card in her bag. After getting Nathaniel’s number she said, “I must go now. See you tomorrow.”
“See you,” Jennifer happily waved Stella bye.
After she watched Stella leave, she turned to Nathaniel.
“A business card? Since when are you a coder?”
“Just now. And keep it on the down–low,” Nathaniel replied nonchalantly.
“Why didn’t you tell her who you really are? Stella’s a good woman. No need to be on guard.”
Nathaniel raised his eyebrow, “I’ll reserve my opinion.”
Jennifer furrowed her brows in thought. “Nathaniel is this about your father and I splitting up–”
“Mom, you’re reading too much into this. I said I’d marry someone who makes you happy. Just… stop meddling, okay?”
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Nathaniel’s tone turned icy. Mention of his deadbeat dad always ruined his mood.
Jennifer bit her lip, “Alright, but Stella isn’t like any woman you’ve known.”
Nathaniel’s voice was cool, “Really? We’ll see.”
At this point, he believed that Stella was just like Jack, people who would sell their soul for a fistful of dollars.
Nathaniel didn’t know that he’d be proved wrong shortly. And his wrong attitude would cause serious problems that made him regret for the rest of his life.
“I’ll return to the company.”
Nathaniel left quietly with a gust of wind, but his outstanding temperament still caught everyone’s eye.
Jennifer grumbled, “You’ll eat those words.”
***
It’s late. Afraid of missing visiting hours, Stella took a taxi to the hospital.
She ran into the intensive care unit. On the hospital bed, Diane was intubated and unconscious.
Seeing her coming, the patient’s family in the next bed nodded to her.
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“Stella, you’re late today. What kept you?”
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“Something private,” Stella said while walking to Diane’s bed, putting down her bag and gently touching Diane’s face. Only by feeling her warmth would Stella think that Diane was still with
her.
“Stella, earlier the doctors came to ask about you again. I
said I didn’t see you.” the family of the patient in the next bed reminded her.
“Okay, I know. Thank you,” Stella sighed helplessly, knowing the doctor must be pushing her to pay the fee.
Just then, the caregiver came in carrying a kettle. Seeing Stella, she put down the kettle and walked to her.
“Ms. Edwards, can we go outside for a word?”
“Sure.”
Stella followed her out of the ward.
The caregiver got straight to the point. “Ms. Edwards, some other patients had offered me $500 a day. Your mom needs care three times a day and she’s unconscious. It’s too much work for the $250 you’re offering. I thought it would be nice for you to…”
“You want a raise. Am I right?” Stella went straight forward.
She was upset because the police had just told her on the phone
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that it would take some time to recover the compensation and now she had no more money…
Besides, she’d skipped a few days to look after Diane and prepare for the wedding, upsetting her manager and coworkers, so she couldn’t take more time off. She must hire a caregiver.
Stella stroked his forehead wearily, “Didn’t we agree on the pay?”
The caregiver retorted, “No pay raise, no work. If I leave, your
mom…”
“Alright.” Stella transferred some money to the caregiver. “You’re free to leave.”
“You…” The caregiver stammered. She didn’t think her trick would fail, “You hard–headed girl! Don’t you know your mom needs me right now? How about $350 a day? I’ll stay.”
“No need.” Stella responded calmly.
Fired and angry, the caregiver lashed out, “I’ve never seen such an ungrateful daughter! Can’t you just spare some cash for your
mom?”
“Leave, or I’ll tell everyone what you just said. Then let’s see who’ll hire you for $500 a day.”
“You, you… Despicable!”
The caregiver spat out, spun around, and stormed off.
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Stella looked at the empty corridor and took a deep breath to suppress her tears.
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She couldn’t collapse now. She got works to do. She had to save her mother.
Stella forced a smile before entering the ward. She believed Diane could sense her emotions and didn’t want Diane to worry.
Stella got a basin of water and cleaned Diane’s body, then held her hand and lay beside the bed, falling asleep exhaustedly.
Next day, Stella was up at six. She swiftly helped Diane freshen up and paid what little she had towards the hospital bill on the first floor.
Then she dashed home. She needed to change before going to the city hall.
After getting changed, she went to the bakery next door. Though her body shouted for some fine breakfast, after checking her account, she had to choose the discounted bread which cost only ten bucks for two bags, cheaper than eating instant noodles for the rest of the day.
After picking up the bread, Stella headed to the subway.
She got a text from Nathaniel on the way.
[City hall, 8:00. Don’t be late.]
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Stella typed while busy taking in her bread.
[Ok.]
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The way he texted made her chuckle. The way he talk sounded like they’re arranging some business, but in fact that’s their marriage.
He was indeed a workaholic.
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