Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“And that’s why you kept it from us?” Harvey asked.

Due to the Spencer family’s efforts to pivot their business, Harvey had been sent abroad early on.

Part of it was to study emerging industries; the other part was to ensure that if the family business truly collapsed, he wouldn’t be dragged down with it.

As a result, he didn’t know much about what had been going on with Stella. What little he did know came from his or from phone calls with Stella herself-always brief, always “everything’s fine.”

parents

But now, the illusion of “fine” had been shattered by Irene’s behavior. A child from a truly happy home wouldn’t act like this.

And now Stella was about to face the full force of her cousin’s protective anger.

“I… I wasn’t trying to hide it from you,” Stella said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harvey had always been good to her, but that didn’t change the fact that she was a little afraid of him.

“I just didn’t want you to worry. You all already have enough on your plate.”

The Spencer family’s struggles were burden enough. She didn’t want to add to their stress.

Harvey was silent for a moment, his narrow eyes thoughtful.

Just when Stella thought he wouldn’t respond, he said quietly, “We held you back.”

If the Spencer had been stronger, no one from the Lloyd would’ve dared treat their cherished daughter this way.

Harvey had never felt a more urgent need for power than he did right now.

“Harvey…” Stella’s eyes reddened. “It’s not your fault. You’ve always been so good to me. It’s just that I…”

She swallowed hard, lowering her head further. “It’s because I didn’t listen to you-or anyone else. I insisted on marrying Ernest despite all the warnings. I made my choice. I should face the consequences.”

Most adults have to live with their decisions-no one else pays the price.

But Stella was different. She was a Spencer. She was their girl.

Seeing her so subdued, so unlike her former lively self, Harvey’s calm expression masked a simmering anger.

Ernest Lloyd-the so-called leading figure of Seabrook’s business world, a man of immense wealth and influence…

Harvey narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled. He wondered what kind of crisis it would take to break a man like that.

Would it be harder than taking on those overseas conglomerates?

Somehow, Harvey didn’t feel all that pressured.

“Alright,” he said, ruffling Stella’s hair. “Look at you—all hunched over. What, planning to join the circus as a contortionist?”

“Harvey!” Stella swatted at him playfully. He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, my bad. Have mercy on your old cousin.”

1/3

Chapter 27

Stella hmphed. “We’ll see. Depends on your performance.”

When they were kids, every time he teased her till she was near tears, he’d always find a way to make it up to her.

From expensive gifts to simple roadside flowers-it was always something she’d been wanting.

This time, she was curious what he’d give her.

Harvey pulled something from his inner pocket and handed it to her. “Here.”

It was a dull gray-brown box that looked plain under the sunlight. No logo, no fancy wrapping-like something picked off a street vendor’s cart.

But Stella wasn’t disappointed. Her eyes lit up. “What is it?”

“Open it and see,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Is it some kind of prank?

Yeah, usually she only got gifts after she cried. If she hadn’t cried yet… well, first he had to make her cry.

“Thank you, Harvey,” Stella said sincerely. “I really, truly love it.”

“As long as you like it.” He smiled.

“Does it have a name?”

“Celestial Water-a sweet spring wrapped by stars from the heavens.”

As they talked, they reached the front door. Marvin was still standing there holding Irene, waiting for them.

“Mommy, hurry up!” Irene called out impatiently. If they kept moving this slowly, today would never end!

“Your mom’s talking to your uncle-she’s not going anywhere. What’s the rush?” Harvey said, amused.

“But I want today to be over quickly!” Irene blurted out without thinking.

“Oh?” Harvey feigned curiosity and was about to ask more when Stella cut in.

“Irene, didn’t you say you wanted to try Evelyn’s crispy duck breast? If you don’t go tell her now, she might finish cooking without making it.”

“Oh yes!” Irene pursed her lips and tugged at Marvin’s neck. “Marvin, take me to Evelyn now! It’s been forever since I had her crispy duck breast!”

“Alright, I’ll take you to her,” Marvin said with a laugh.

Once they were gone, Stella let out a relieved sigh. Harvey didn’t seem bothered that she’d changed the subject. He just narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. “You know you can’t hide things from me forever.”

“Harvey,” Stella said anxiously, “we just talked about this. Can’t we let it go?”

Not a chance.

3/3

AD

Comment

Send gift