Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175 The brief exchange between Sylvia and Mark felt like an incantation that kept echoing in Stella’s mind, impossible to shake ofl. ‘Should I tell Harvey about this? Should I ask Captain Lance to dig into the Harris family?‘ Stella asked herself. Just then, a steady knock sounded at the door, and Stella’s heart shot straight into her throat. ‘Did they catch me eavesdropping? Did Sylvia’s people come looking for me?‘ Stella thought, panic rising. “Who is it?” she called out, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s me, Simon,” came a familiar, steady male voice from outside. Stella’s heart dropped back into place, and she let out a long sigh of relief, feeling almost weak with relief. “Come in,” she said. The door swung open, and Simon walked in holding a sleek, upscale fruit basket–a clear sign he hadn’t settled for anything cheap. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t come by sooner. Work’s been crazy lately. I just wrapped up the last bit of inlay on my project and came straight here. ‘Hope I’m not cutting into your rest time,” Simon said, sounding a bit apologetic but genuinely glad to see her. He flashed a relaxed smile–the kind designers had after hours of intense focus–then glanced down at his watch. It’s- let’s see, ten–thirty. Shouldn’t be too late, right?” he added. Seeing how serious he looked, and remembering how freaked out she’d just been, Stella couldn’t help but find the whole hing a little absurd–and kind of funny. she put on her best Erica impression, joking around with a survivor’s sass and a playful hint of mock annoyance. Mr. Wood, at this hour, a wounded person should be fast asleep, dreaming of the Sandman,” she said. Come on, who actually shows up to visit a patient at ten o’clock at night?‘ Stella couldn’t help thinking. Simon didn’t mind her attitude at all. He just shrugged and grinned. “Well, you’re still up too, aren’t you?” Stella was about to say she was just about to crash, but then realized she was actually wide awake–and just couldn’t get the words out. Forget it, having some company isn’t the worst thing, Stella thought to herself. At least out of everyone else, Simon was barely tolerable. Stella’s face relaxed a little, and her tone softened. “Fine, I guess I can put up with you for a while.” Those words instantly made Simon light up inside. Honestly, he’d wanted to come see Stella the moment she landed in the hospital. But after finding out what she went through, he realized there had to be a mastermind pulling the strings behind those thugs. For Stella’s safety, Simon had folks digging around nonstop these past couple of days, trying to root out whoever was behind the curtain. But today, when every lead turned up dead, he finally had a moment to drop by–and maybe, just check on her. “Want a female bodyguard? If you so much as ask, I’ll have one here in no time,” Simon blurted out. Simon just threw that out there, and Stella was completely thrown off. Stella hesitated before quipping back, “Maybe you should book yourself a psych eval.” Seriously, is he bored or something, just offering me a bodyguard out of nowhere?‘ Stella thought. ‘Even if I needed one, he’d be the last guy I’d ask.” “I’m not crazy, and I’m not joking around,” Simon replied, his relaxed smile fading into seriousness. “I heard about the incident a couple of days back.” If you don’t have a pair of bodyguards with you, I—” He caught himself and quickly switched course, “Your family wouldn’t be able to rest easy, would they?” Even though he changed his wording in a flash, Stella noticed the hesitation–she could sense something wasn’t right beneath the surface. She furrowed her brows. “Why do you care so much about me?” What does any of this have to do with him?‘ Stella wondered. Wait, was I really that transparent?‘ Simon thought, suddenly flustered. Warning bells blared in his mind, but Simon kept his expression cool, lips quirking into his usual roguish grin as he slipped back into his old swagger. “Ms. Spencer, since when did you get so full of yourself? “Turns out I know a couple of kickass female bodyguards. I was only thinking of introducing them because Daisy asked me to help you out. But hey, if you’re not interested, forget it.” Stella curled her lip in annoyance. “Forget it then.” Now it was Simon’s turn to go silent. I was just throwing it out there, didn’t think she’d actually shoot me down,‘ Simon muttered to himself, feeling a bit caught off guard. “Come on, maybe just think it over again? They’re seriously badass–no way anyone could mess with you if they’re around.” Simon pressed, will not ready to give up. Stella shook her head. “Nah, I’m just a small–time jewelry designer, not some corporate hotshot. If I actually had bodyguards tailing me everywhere. I’d probably never get any work done.” Simon tried to reason, “Well, they could just wait outside while you’re busy,” Stella shot back with a brutal one–liner, “And if something goes down when they’re not here, then what?” “Well, good question. I seriously have no clue how to respond to that, Simon thought, utterly stumped. After a moment, Simon finally deflated. “Fine, have it your way. But if anything ever goes down, just shoot me a text–I’ve still got plenty of clout around here.” Worried she might catch on, he hastily tacked on, trying to act casual, “Just say I’m doing this for Daisy, okay?” Stella gave him a fake smile. “Gee, thanks. Really.” Simon snorted, “If you’re that grateful, just treat me to dinner sometime.” Stella just rolled her eyes. ‘Seriously, this guy is hopeless at catching sarcasm,‘ she thought. “Alright, I’m getting sleepy. Time for you to head out,” Stella said, shooing him away. “Come on, just a few more minutes of chatting.” Simon begged, clearly not ready to leave yet. “Fine, stay put. I’ll call my girl Erica over–she’ll give you all the chit–chat you can handle,” Stella retorted, sarcasm thick in her voice. Honestly, these days Erica was like the guard one no one dared to mess with–a total intimidation machine in Simon’s circle. No one had ever escaped her savage comebacks–not once. And for Simon, messing with her was the last thing on his to–do list. “Alright, then rest up. I’ll swing by again when I get the chance,” Simon said, trying to sound nonchalant. Stella hadn’t even finished her sentence when Simon shot to his feet and made a beeline for the door. As soon as he stepped into the corridor, the easy smile instantly vanished from his face–his eyes grew deathly cold, the warmth replaced by an icy, wintry indifference. His gaze zeroed in on Sylvia’s hospital room with unmistakable intent, cold and razor–sharp. The next morning, Stella was up bright and early. Evelyn was the one taking care of her today; she’d come with breakfast and a pot of soup, specially prepared to help Stella recover. “Aunt, well–Stella hesitated, lips twitching awkwardly. “Isn’t all this a bit too heavy for breakfast?” Evelyn shot her an affectionate, mock–annoyed look. “Too heavy? Nonsense. The doctor said you lost toomuch blood the other day and that your body needs extra nourishment. “I made sure to pick restorative ingredients for this soup; they’re perfect for getting your strength and energy back.” “Okay, you win, Stella sighed, finally giving in. She reluctantly took a spoonful, realizing she just couldn’t say no to her aunt’s fussing and love, “Oh, right,” Evelyn said as she served up the soup and handed it over. “I’ve got a bunch of errands to run in a bit. If you need someone here at the hospital, I can call Harvey to come keep you company It’s fine,” Stella said, grabbing the bowl and taking a sip. “I can handle myself now. I’ve been getting along on my own these past couple of days. Harvey’s busy with his own stuff, so let’s not trouble him.” Curious, she asked, “So, Aunt, what do you need to take care of today?” Seriously, you forgot?” Evelyn tapped Stella on the forehead. “Your grandpa’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. “We should’ve started getting things ready a while back, but after everything that happened to you, I’ve barely had the energy for party prep.” That reminder made Stella blink in surprise. “Aunt, there’s been so much going on that I completely spaced on Grandpa’s birthday.” She looked Evelyn straight in the eye, determined. “Aunt, you don’t have to worry about me. Just focus on making sure Grandpa’s birthday party is set. I’m definitely showing up, no matter what.”