Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Mom’s Oatmeal

Noreen was filled with confidence. ‘After all, for years Stella has avoided everything Ernest hates, no matter how small it is.’

Stella opened her mouth to reply, but Noreen cut her off impatiently. “That’s enough. I don’t have time to waste on your nonsense. My friend is waiting for me.”

Following Noreen’s gaze, Stella noticed a woman around Noreen’s age sitting at a nearby table and watching them closely.

But before leaving, Noreen lowered her voice once more. “You have three days. Bring me the final design, or I’ll tell Ernest exactly what happened here today.”

With that, she didn’t wait for a response and returned straight to her table. As she sat down, the woman across from her glanced toward Stella and asked, “Noreen, do you know her? Why not invite her to join us?”

“I do, but we’re not close. A quick greeting is more than enough,” Noreen said nonchalantly, signaling clearly that she had no intention of continuing the conversation.

Stella’s hand, halfway toward her bag, went still. ‘Not close? She has taken so many designs from me since college, yet she has the nerve to say we’re not close?’

‘Fine, it makes sense. Ernest never even acknowledged me as his wife. Why would his sister see me as family?’

There was a time when such a thought would have wounded her, but now it didn’t even bother her. She would never again waste her energy trying to please those who didn’t value her.

Stella walked out of the café without a hint of hesitation. Meanwhile, the woman sitting across from Noreen kept gazing in the direction where Stella had disappeared.

“Jessica, what is it?” Noreen felt a twinge of anxiety. ‘Has Stella told people about her secret marriage with Ernest? If anyone found out Ernest’s wife is just a useless housewife and a pathetic fool who does nothing but chase after men, that would bring utter shame upon our family.’

Jessica Slater snapped back to attention. “It’s nothing. It’s just that the man she was with earlier looked a lot like Jeremy Ford, the CEO of Lumière Group.”

Relieved it wasn’t what she had feared, Noreen relaxed slightly. “Lumière Group?” She knew the name. Though fairly new, the company had already made a mark in the design world and earned respect for its unique style.

‘What would the CEO of Lumière Group want with someone like Stella? What would he even see in her?’ Noreen refused to believe it.

“Impossible, Jessica. You must have seen wrong,” Noreen stated firmly. “I may not be close to her, but I know she’s just a housewife who does nothing but ask for money. She’s utterly talentless. Why would a CEO like him even notice her? Even a street beggar would look down on her.”

‘At least beggars earn their keep. But Stella? With a house full of servants, she just lazes around playing the lady of leisure. Giving her money is a complete waste.’ Noreen thought with contempt.

Seeing how certain Noreen was, Jessica didn’t press further. ‘Maybe I was mistaken about that man. He must just look like Jeremy Ford,’ she told herself.

*****

On her way home, Stella stopped by the grocery store. When she got back to her kitchen, she preheated the oven and began washing the vegetables.

“Dad, can you call Mom and ask her to come make oatmeal for me?” she begged. ‘Mom listens to Dad the most. If he asks, she’ll definitely come home.’

“Call her yourself,” Ernest said, already heading up the stairs. He didn’t even glance back, his voice drifting down dismissively as his footsteps faded around the landing.

Irene pouted, still craving her mom’s oatmeal. When her eyes landed on Betty, who was tidying up nearby, a sudden idea came to her. She hurried over to Betty and said, “Betty, call Mom and tell her Dad wants her to come home and cook.”

Irene stood on her tiptoes, trying to look demanding. Betty’s hands trembled by her apron. The little girl’s fluffy curls were tucked behind a strawberry clip, her bright eyes glistened like morning dew, and her long lashes brushed her pink cheeks. Anyone who saw her would think she was as cute as a button.

But with her hands on her hips and that bossy little voice, all that cuteness was gone. “Betty, are you deaf?” She stamped her foot, making the pearls on her princess dress shake. “If you don’t call her, I’ll tell Dad to fire you!” she said, her tone as entitled as ever.

Betty sighed softly under her breath. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, and brought it to her ear, waiting for Stella to answer the call.

*****

Stella was reviewing the design work from the company’s recent projects, which Jeremy had just sent over. When her phone rang, she was a little surprised to see Betty’s name on the screen.

“Mrs. Lloyd,” Betty’s voice came through hesitantly. “Miss Irene has been asking for your oatmeal. Would you be able to come back and make it for her?”