Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 173

Erica’s mouth was covered, so she could only make muffled sounds. With a few quick blinks, she showed she got the message. and finally stopped mentally tormenting her poor, long–suffering dad.

After that brief but “intense” little episode, the atmosphere more or less got back on track.

Cody took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, didn’t press on about the details of the divorce, and changed the subject, asking, “Is there anything else that could be affecting his business decisions?”

Stella thought it over and shook her head. “Nope. Other than Irene, there’s really no connection between us anymore.”

“Alright, I get it,” Cody said, nodding, relieved that most of the mystery had finally been cleared up.

He stood up, slipping back into his role as the solid pillar of the Russell family. “Stella, just focus on your recovery. With Harvey and all of us elders around, nothing out there can stir up too much trouble. So stop worrying, alright?”

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Russell,” Stella replied gratefully.

Cody threw Erica a stern glare before leaving, his figure retreating from the room with a tired air about him.

As soon as the door closed, shutting out the world, Erica couldn’t keep up her act for another second.

She scooted over to Stella’s bedside and, with a magician’s flourish, pulled two beautifully designed cards out of her pocket.

Please, Stella. I actually came here with something super important,” Erica announced, eyes shining with excitement.

“Huh? What’s up?” Stella asked, looking at her curiously.

Erica pressed one of the cards into Stella’s hand, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and a hint of barely noticeable nerves.

“Next Saturday’s the first live taping for the talent show, and I want you there cheering me on. This is a front–row ticket reserved for close friends and family; just swing by the studio and you’ll be all set,” Erica said, bursting with excitement.

Stella looked down at the VIP ticket in her hand, but she didn’t agree right away.

She looked Erica in the eye, her tone soft but very serious. “Erica, are you really sure about this? You can still change your mind: no need to push yourself into that world for anyone else.”

Erica’s playful smile faded, any trace of comedy gone. She squeezed Stella’s hand, her eyes now crystal–clear and full of

resolve

“Stella, just tell me; if one day I become a shining superstar, won’t I be able to help you even more? Won’t the whole world get to see our Lumiere Group jewels?” Erica said, hopeful.

Stella felt a surge of warmth in her chest and nodded without a second thought. “Yes, totally.”

“There we go. That’s settled Erica broke into a dazzling, carefree grin–as if her serious streak from a moment ago had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

She clapped Stella’s shoulder.

“As long as it’s for you, what’s a little entertainment industry? I can handle it all–a piece of cake. Just wait and see. I’m going to absolutely carry the whole show, Erica bragged, radiating confidence.

Looking at Erica’s cheeky, self–assured face, Stella felt a sharp sting at the tip of her nose and a rush of heat flood her eyes.

Her chest was stuffed so full it ached–fit to burst with emotion.

This was the kind of friendship that held nothing back–a loyalty so fierce that Erica would even brave the wildest storms and deepest trouble, all for her.

“Whoa, stop right there,” Erica interrupted loudly, instantly killing the vibe.

Before Stella could even get in her feels, Erica jumped up theatrically, whipping out her phone like the drama queen she was, ready to film on the spot.

“Wait, Stella, are you really about to shed those tears? Hold it–let me get this on camera. This is premium bestie footage, perfect for cranking up my best BFF persona online.

“Guaranteed to rake in the fans,” Erica teased, grinning wickedly.

Every bit of emotion Stella had built up collapsed instantly. She burst out laughing, stubbornly swallowing her tears, and shoved Erica with mock–annoyance. “Honestly, you don’t need to force that whole persona.”

“Why not?” Erica blinked her big eyes, all innocent and confused.

Stella looked at her, her smile gentle and certain. “Because you already are.”

“Oh, really?” Erica immediately switched into full drama queen mode, clutching her chest like she’d just suffered a deep betrayal.

“I keep my bestie close to my heart, and she kicks me straight into the gutter. All my devotion, wasted. Tell me—are you secretly seeing another friend out there?” she wailed theatrically.

Stella played along, pretending to ponder with her chin in her hand. “Hmm, guess I’d have to pick somewhere scenic, with a one–of–a–kind stinky gutter, huh.”

“Alright, Stella. You’re savage.” Erica accused bitterly.

Between all their giggles and playful teasing, Stella and Erica demolished every bite of the homemade feast Erica had brought over.

When they were done, Erica swooped in and started clearing away the aftermath with her signature quick moves.

“Alright, Stella, I’m heading out. Remember, next Saturday–be there or be square. I’ll be searching for you in the front row,” Erica called out, halfway through the door, and waved over her shoulder.

She spun around at the door, waving both arms like crazy, dragging out every syllable for full dramatic effect. “I’ll be waiting for you-

Her lively, sing–song farewell hung in the air, slowly fading out as the door swung shut.

The room quieted down completely, leaving only the muffled sounds of cars drifting in from outside.

Stella leaned against the headboard, staring out at the darkness outside, her thoughts already turning to ideas for the upcoming international jewelry exhibition as she tried to unwind for the night.

Click

A barely audible sound–the sharp, clear turn of a door lock–cut through the stillness of the room.

Stella’s thoughts were interrupted. Thinking Erica had forgotten something, she turned with a smile. “Erica, did you-

Her words died in her throat, the smile vanishing from her face, replaced by a cold, distant expression.

Stella rolled down the window, frowning. “What do you want?”

Ernest was just standing there in the doorway, his tall frame blocking out the world behind him.

The dim hallway light left half his body swallowed by shadow, but his eyes, eyes that cut right through the darkness, were fixed on Stella, swirling with emotions so tangled and unreadable that she couldn’t even guess at them.

There was curiosity, something dark, and maybe even a trace of confusion he himself hadn’t even noticed.

His lips pressed together in a thin, tense line as his Adam’s apple bobbed, like he was fighting to get the words out.

After a long beat, he finally forced out the words, his voice low and scratchy. “That day, at the Lloyd family-”

Stella could see right through him; he was just here trying to spin that missed call, probably to offer some sorry excuse or guilt that barely even existed.

But that brush with death was ancient history now. Any words from him were just yesterday’s cold leftovers, long past their expiration, totally powerless to change a thing.

She couldn’t even bring herself to care enough to hear him out.

“I don’t blame you for what happened that day,” Stella said, cutting him off, her tone steady as ice with an even deeper chill beneath. “And, I never expected anything from you to begin with.”

Ernest flinched just a tiny bit, but Stella saw it.

He got it

If one never expected anything, one couldn’t be let down. And blame was not even part of the equation.

That line severed the last tie between them, way more ruthless than any angry shout ever could’ve been.

Ernest was silent–crushed inside, like something massive was stuck in his chest, squeezing all the air out. The whole room felt locked up, not a breath to be found.

Seeing him just standing there, not leaving, Stella wasn’t about to waste her time staring him down. She frowned, her voice cold. Is there something else?”

Emest stood there, momentarily stunned, just staring at her.

Honestly, he couldn’t even say why he showed up just to explain what happened with those thugs.

Stuff like this had happened before, and he’d always just shrugged it off.

But this time, somehow, knowing that Stella got so seriously hurt just because he missed that call, left a heavy ache in his chest. He found himself needing to explain; it wasn’t intentional. He never meant for her to get hurt.

However, now, staring into Stella’s completely indifferent eyes, Ernest felt choked, like every word was stuck in his throat.

He struggled to even speak, and all he could spit out, barely above a whisper, was. “I’ll make it up to-”

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