From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 62

**Chapter 6**

In the weeks that had passed, Leah’s health had become a tumultuous rollercoaster, oscillating between periods of improvement and sudden declines that left Stellan feeling utterly drained. Each day was a test of his endurance, both physically and emotionally, as he navigated the unpredictable nature of Leah’s condition.

He had been meaning to visit Ella, but time slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. The weight of his absence hung heavily on his conscience, and he was painfully aware of the resentment brewing in Ella’s heart.

He understood, deep down, that gaining her forgiveness would be a formidable challenge. Yet, there was a flicker of hope in his mind—he believed it was merely a matter of time before she would soften.

After all, Ella loved him. She wouldn’t just walk away.

Their decade together filled him with a sense of confidence; he clung to that thought like a lifeline.

But when Leah’s health finally stabilized, and he found himself standing at Ella’s door, a wave of anxiety washed over him. His hands trembled as they hovered over the doorbell, and he hesitated.

The fingerprint lock refused to respond, leaving him frozen in place. Gathering his courage, he knocked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Ella, it’s me.”

“I know you’re still mad. Just… give me a chance, okay?” he pleaded, his heart racing.

The door creaked open, and relief surged through him like a warm tide.

“Who are you?”

The voice that met him was unfamiliar. A young woman peered out, her expression laced with suspicion.

Stellan blinked, momentarily disoriented. He stepped back, double-checking the apartment number etched in his memory.

It was the right place.

Panic clawed at his chest, and he fought to maintain his composure.

“Hi. Do you know where the person who used to live here went?” he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

The woman’s demeanor softened slightly. “Oh, you mean the previous owner?”

“Yes. She sold us the place and left. No idea where she went.”

“She mentioned something about moving to a different city,” she replied, shrugging.

His worst fears had been confirmed.

“Did she say which city?”

She shook her head, and Stellan felt the ground beneath him shift.

Stumbling back to his own apartment, he was engulfed in a daze.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, Leah bounded toward him, her energy palpable.

“Stellan! You’re finally back!”

“I’ve been waiting forever. Where were you?”

Stellan gazed at the bright, bubbly girl in front of him, yet felt an unsettling void within himself.

Once, he had admired Ella’s independence, her serious demeanor, and her quiet strength. He had cherished Leah’s infectious cheerfulness, which had been his refuge during turbulent days.

But now, as he watched Leah smile, his heart felt hollow.

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