The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221 No Longer Hidden

Abraham glanced at her, then finally let her go and turned to pick up his phone.

It was Abel calling.

At this hour?

Abraham’s expression darkened. He stepped aside to answer, his voice cold. “Speak.”

Seeing him walk out to take the call, Stella’s heart kept pounding wildly.

She had a strong feeling this wasn’t over.

Barely a minute later, Abraham returned from the balcony, still holding the phone, his face cold.

“Weren’t you tired? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I am, I am! I’m going right now,” Stella said quickly.

She dove straight into the covers, desperate for him not to ask anything more.

But… what about tomorrow?

Her neck was covered in bruises, and it definitely wouldn’t fade in just a few days.

Seeing her burrow into the blanket, Abraham’s cold expression softened slightly with a touch of helplessness.

He walked over, picked her up, and laid her flat on the bed. “How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t sleep curled up like that it’s bad for your heart.”

Stella stayed silent.

I just want to be an ostrich right now.

Once you leave, I’ll flip over on my own, okay?

Abraham pulled the blanket over her properly. Before getting up, his fingers brushed lightly against the bruises on her neck.

Stella’s nerves instantly tightened.

Abraham said meaningfully, “With bruises like these, it won’t heal in less than a week.”

Stella’s breathing hitched.

Was that really necessary?

Wait

what did he mean by that?

Does he… actually remember everything?

As Abraham straightened up, Stella panicked and grabbed the front of his robe.

In her rush, her nails accidentally scratched across his chest, leaving a mark that perfectly matched the scratches he already had.

Stella’s breath caught.

Feeling the sting, Abraham looked down at his chest. “Stella.”

She froze.

Abraham’s deep voice asked, “This scratch.

you

aid it?”

“I didn’t!” Stella blurted out.

Now I’m really doomed.

She honestly hadn’t scratched him before heaven knows she hadn’t.

But now… how could she explain this?

Abraham’s gaze grew even darker, his eyes glinting with a dangerous heat.

Stella’s breathing grew frantic. “Abraham, is it really unforgivable if someone

Especially if that man is you…

She couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Forget it. Better to just say it outright than die a slow death!

But just as she was about to speak, Abel’s call came through again.

Abraham lowered his gaze, looking at Stella’s hand still gripping his robe. She immediately let go.

“You- you should answer that,” she stammered.

Please, just go already. Stop torturing me!

Seeing her trying to bury herself under the blanket again, Abraham reached out and caught her.

The bruises on her neck vivid and clear- burned into his mind like blooming roses.

He let out a soft chuckle and dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Be good. Get some sleep.”

Then he finally left.

Stella’s heart pounded wildly.

–

Her mind was racing so fast it felt like it might explode and suddenly, an overwhelming sense of grievance welled up inside her.

When grievance reached its peak, it turned into reckless courage.

In that moment, Stella’s fear completely evaporated.

Just as Abraham’s hand touched the door handle, Stella blurted out:

“Abraham, last night… you slept with me.”

3/4

She couldn’t see his expression – but right now, she had already thrown. caution to the wind.

She had hidden her feelings for so many years.

In Fleule, she’d been terrified anyone would notice how she felt about Abraham.

–

Every time Abraham’s friends teased him –“Your little sister is so cute,” “She’s so considerate,” “She came to pick you up“– those casual words stabbed into her heart.

They constantly reminded her:

You are his sister.

Even though there was no blood relation, everyone treated her as Abraham’s.

sister.

That deep–rooted belief- could she really overturn it?

And then there were the families.

With Abraham’s position and future, he would inevitably end up with someone of equal status.

In both background and identity.

All of it had always reminded Stella:

Her love was as tiny and fragile as a flickering candle flame.

Faced with her feelings, she had been terrified to show them.

Out of fear, she had kept a distance between them.

Chapter 222 A Love No Longer Hidden

The fragile distance she had worked so hard to maintain last night, it had been completely shattered.

Was she supposed to hide it for the rest of her life?

The title of “brother and sister”

she hadn’t wanted to keep that up for a long

time now.

Stella’s eyes turned red as she sniffled, but seeing that Abraham still hadn’t turned around, her voice grew hoarse.

She had already braced herself for any storm that might come.

Finally, Abraham turned.

In the dim light, it was impossible to read his expression. His long legs carried him straight to her bedside.

Feeling the pressure of his presence, Stella instinctively tried to shrink away.

But the next second, his hand slipped under the blanket, grabbed her waist, and pulled her out.

“You–you’re mad, aren’t you? But you were the one who I didn’t seduce you.

-you…”

Her voice was panicked, tripping over her words as she tried to explain.

She hadn’t taken the initiative – but she hadn’t resisted either.

Abraham’s cool lips crashed down on hers.

Stella’s breath caught.

Her mind stalled completely as the kiss deepened, fierce and unrelenting, stealing away any room she had to escape.

Her pupils contracted sharply, her breathing quickened, and her mind spun into chaos.

Time passed.

Only when Abraham’s phone vibrated again did he finally let her go, clear displeasure in his eyes at being interrupted.

Their foreheads pressed together, and his voice was low and hoarse.

“I forced myself on you? Is that what you’re saying?

Stella’s mind was still numb, but she nodded stiffly.

“And what does Stella plan to do about it, hm?”

Her mouth twitched.

Why are you asking me? Isn’t this your responsibility?

What was he implying?

Was he trying to push all the blame onto her?

She could shoulder any burden but not this one!

“This is your responsibility,” she said stubbornly.

“You tell me

what should I do?‘

Her voice broke into a sob, full of panic.

Clearly, she was desperate.

She was terrified that Abraham was angry he would still insist on treating her like a sister.

terrified that even after everything,

If that happened, she wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Hearing her panicked tone, Abraham’s eyes filled with amusement. “So you

“You have to!” she cried. “If you don’t, I’m not letting you go!”

Tears spilled uncontrollably down Stella’s cheeks.

All the burden she had carried for so many years in an instant, she dumped it all onto Abraham.

It had been so long.

No one knew what it had been like for her all these years. Especially after leaving Fleule

that endless separation.

She never knew when she could see him again.

She didn’t know how much influence the Seng family still had over him.

That constant, gnawing worry and longing had tormented her endlessly.

“You have to take responsibility… sob…”

Her tears flowed freely now, a dam that had completely broken.

Abraham gently patted her back. “Alright. I’ll take responsibility. Don’t cry, hm?”

“You were supposed to take responsibility,” she sniffled, rubbing her tears into

his clothes.

Leaving wet, sticky patches behind.

“You little mess,” Abraham teased lightly.

“I’m your mess,” she muttered.

Abraham chuckled and pinched her cheek.

Before he could say anything else, Abel’s call came through again.

Clearly, there was something urgent.

He hung up the call but didn’t linger. “It’s still dark out. Get some sleep.”

He gave a soft “Mm,” pressing a kiss to her forehead before getting up.

Stella suddenly remembered the blood on the scarf – besides hers, there were a few drops that belonged to Abraham too.

As he turned away, she reached out and grabbed his robe.

“Is it dangerous?” she asked.

She knew what kind of business the Luke family was involved in.

She knew what kind of danger Abraham faced on that path.

No matter how strong he was, she still worried. She was still scared.

Abraham turned back, and when he met the worry in her eyes, something inside him softened.

“Don’t worry,” he said simply.

He gently pried her hand away, tucked her back into the covers, and left the

room.

The door closed behind him.

Stella let out a muffled cry and buried herself under the blanket, her heart still pounding wildly.

Abraham said he would take responsibility – but what did that mean?

Would he… marry her?

In her dreams, she had imagined marrying Abraham countless times.

But she had never once believed it could actually happen.

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Chapter 223 Stirring Trouble

But would Abraham marry her?

Could he?

Stella’s thoughts were a tangled mess as she rolled back and forth across the bed, not even knowing how long she tossed and turned.

Eventually, sleep finally pulled her under.

Outside, heavy snow had begun to fall. Inside, the room was warm and cozy.

She slept straight through to after ten in the morning, when her phone automatically switched off silent mode.

The buzzing of the call barely roused her.

Half–asleep, she answered, “Hello?”

“Stella!” came Tessa’s loud, dramatic voice.

Stella mumbled a sleepy “Mm” in response.

Tessa huffed, “It’s already this late and you’re still not up? Fine, but why do you sound like you’ve been completely ravaged?”

The moment she heard the word ravaged, Stella jolted awake.

Because I was ravaged…

Tessa didn’t seem to notice. “I’ve got some explosive news

Stella blinked, still dazed.

Is there anything more explosive than the fact I slept with Abraham?!

wanna hear it?”

But if Tessa said it was shocking, it was probably really shocking.

“Hold on, let me get closer. You can hear for yourself.”

Stella was puzzled.

Hear what?

There was the sound of footsteps, and then suddenly, through the phone, she could hear crying

and Susan’s hysterical shouting.

Lilian’s

“You’re discharging her in this condition? How can you do this? Are you trying to kill her?”

“Madam Susan, regarding Ms. Lilian’s condition, we really can’t do anything more. We’re sorry.”

“What do you mean, you can’t do anything?! I paid so much money, hired so many expert teams where are they now? Where did they all go?”

“They’ve all left.”

The doctor and Susan’s furious argument crackled over the line.

It only took a few sentences for Stella to piece together what was happening.

The hospital wanted Lilian discharged

forcibly.

“Did you hear that? Isn’t it wild?” Tessa’s voice came back.

“Way too wild,” Stella muttered. “But what exactly happened?”

It sure sounded like the hospital was forcing Lilian out.

Susan and Lilian’s voices faded away as Tessa clearly walked away from the chaos.

At Stella’s question, Tessa chuckled gleefully. “How would I know? Maybe the hospital just realized they couldn’t do anything for her and didn’t want to keep taking their money.”

Stella was speechless.

Tessa clicked her tongue. “Come on, the Reed family and the Keene family are. still backing Lilian. And yet the hospital’s kicking her out like this? I’m telling you, it was brutal

they wouldn’t even let her stay a single extra minute. I’ve

never seen such an upright hospital before!”

Stella: “…”

Tessa snickered again. “And seriously, with a body like hers, what’s the point of wasting more money?”

Stella’s sleepiness had been completely wiped away by Tessa’s gloating.

She rolled over. “I’m getting the feeling you’re not actually upset about the Reed family wasting money.”

“I’m upset about the money, not about the Reed family’s money,” Tessa quipped.

Honestly, that did make a certain kind of sense… but it also sounded completely wron

Before Stella could say anything else, she heard Tessa yelp, “Hey, what are you doing? Give me back my phone! Ethan, give it back!”

Stella was puzzled.

Next thing she knew, Ethan’s cold, furious voice came through the phone. “Stella. Was it you?”

The venom in his tone practically dripped through the call.

Even through the phone, Stella could feel his hatred.

She narrowed her eyes. “What nonsense is this?”

She had no idea what was going on at the hospital.

Yet now Ethan was already accusing her?

This trash… Honestly, someone should just chain him and Lilian together forever. Anyone else who gets near them would end up torn to pieces.

Ethan growled, “Nonsense? Are you really going to pretend you didn’t push this until she had no way out?”

–

“Stella, I know now you grew up with the Luke family. But don’t forget what makes you any different from Lilian?”

“You’re just a foster daughter. If you keep abusing your position, don’t blame them for turning on you. When that happens, what ground will you have left to stand on?”

Every word he spat was sharp and vicious.

Stella’s blood boiled. “Screw you, Ethan! If you’ve got guts, come say that to my face!”

Right now, she seriously wanted to tear Ethan’s head off.

How is it that no matter what happens, it always ends up on me?

This bastard must be cursed or something!

Anger surged in her chest, almost too much to hold back.

Chapter 224 Payback

Ethan hissed, “This is my advice to you: don’t abuse your power.”

Abuse power?

Oh, he was really asking for it now.

Stella snapped, fully awake and ready to fight: “Says the guy who never abused power for Lilian, huh? Ethan, did you forget how you tried to crush me for her? You tried to shut down my studio, cut off my living expenses, and leave me with nowhere to go. So it’s fine when you’re abusing power to destroy me, but the second I push back, you suddenly want to give me advice? You think I want your advice? Who the hell do you think you are? You should find a mirror and take a good look at yourself you really think you’re qualified?”

He had the nerve to lecture her. To say people would end up hating her, that she’d be left with nothing.

He was clearly hoping she would crash and burn.

“Scumbag. Brain must’ve grown in your ass.”

Stella kept going without a break.

Ethan’s breathing turned rough with rage. “Stop with the nonsense, Stella! Just tell me what do you want? What will it take for you to leave Lilian alone?”

Silence crackled through the phone.

Hearing the sharp breathing on the other end, Stella let out a light laugh. “You never thought about letting me go back then. Why should I think about letting you go now?”

“You

Ethan was seething. “The Reed family and the Keene family have suffered huge. losses because of you. Isn’t that enough?”

Stella’s smile faded.

–

Lilian’s situation probably had something to do with Abraham.

Wait. Abraham had looked pretty grim when he heard about the car accident.

“You’ve got guts, Ethan. I’m impressed.”

He knew full well everything pointed to her, yet he still dared to use this tone

with her.

——

e my

Stella snorted. “Let me remind you. two years ago, Lilian almost cost me life. And I’ve got one huge flaw: if someone owes me, I need to collect interest

otherwise, I just can’t sleep at night.”

www

What right did he have to act so high and mighty?

When they tried to crush her, they thought it was just business as usual but now that she was fighting back, suddenly it was immoral?

Stella gave a cold chuckle and added, “Half a life times two

me.”

sounds fair to

Ethan finally exploded. “Stella!”

He roared into the phone.

But before he could say another word, Stella hung up on him.

It must’ve been Abraham.

Even if it wasn’t, Lilian deserved everything coming her way.

Originally, Rianne had said Lilian really was sick bothered to deal with her.

But if Abraham had gotten involved…

and Stella hadn’t even

Thinking about how Abraham had always protected her from childhood until now, her heart warmed uncontrollably.

She wondered where all of this would lead them.

Stella felt drained, her whole body weak.

She touched her forehead it was burning.

She pushed herself up, intending to get some water.

But the moment her feet hit the floor, her legs gave out and she collapsed heavily onto the ground.

So soft… and painful.

The soreness between her legs made it nearly impossible to even stand.

The door opened – and Abraham stepped inside, catching sight of Stella sitting helplessly on the floor.

Hearing the door, Stella turned her head.

Seeing Abraham, she froze for a moment, then her eyes turned pitiful. “Abraham…”

Abraham was still wearing his trench coat, with a few snowflakes clinging to his shoulders and hair.

Clearly, he had just returned from outside.

He strode over in a few quick steps and scooped Stella off the ground. “What happened? Hm?”

Stella burst into tears. “It hurts… I don’t have any strength left…”

She had never felt this way before aching, weak, utterly helpless.

As soon as Abraham picked her up, he felt the heat radiating off her body.

He carried her to the bed and laid her down, his hand pressing against her forehead.

Sure enough burning hot.

Ten minutes later, Eddie was called over.

As he took Stella’s temperature, the number flashed: 39 degrees Celsius.

“How did you get such a high fever? Did you get hurt?”

Stella went stiff.

Her face flushed bright red.

Hurt… is an understatement.

And it wasn’t exactly a convenient place to explain.

Seeing her not answering, Eddie frowned. “I’m asking you if you’re hurt.”

There was an unmistakable edge to his voice now.

Especially since Eddie was looking at her like he already knew she’d done something “bad” to Abraham.

Chapter 225 An Unseen War

Stella swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah… but I’m not really sure.”

It felt like she was hurt. It hurt so badly down there.

Eddie was speechless.

Abraham was speechless.

Hearing her say she wasn’t sure, both men turned to stare at her.

Under their stares, Stella felt numb all over.

Especially Abraham

his gaze was so sharp it was like he had X–ray vision,

seeing right through her.

Abraham turned back to Eddie and said, “Get out.”

“Huh?” Eddie blinked, stunned.

What for? He was a doctor what could there possibly be that he wasn’t allowed to know?

But faced with Abraham’s look, Eddie decided not to argue for once.

Without asking anything more, he quietly stepped out of the room.

Now only Stella and Abraham were left.

Abraham sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for the blanket. “Let me

take a look.”

Stella was confused.

Look? Look at what? What is he trying to do?!

Meanwhile, at the hospital…

Ethan’s face was dark with rage, his entire body practically radiating cold air. He

Stella could block anyone, but she would never block Tessa.

Tessa, furious, kicked at Ethan. “You’re out of your damn mind. Give me back my phone!”

Back then, her mother had warned her not to stir up trouble with the Keene family but right now, Tessa really couldn’t hold it in anymore.

What the hell is he doing, hijacking her phone? Is this a robbery?!

Ethan dodged, but her foot still grazed his shin, leaving a searing pain.

“You damn woman…” Ethan gritted his teeth.

No wonder she’s Stella’s friend same crazy energy.

Tessa’s head was practically steaming with anger. “Ethan, give it up! She heard your voice through my number – you really think she’s going to answer?”

Ethan stiffened.

In that instant, the furious energy around him froze cold.

Tessa seized the chance to snatch her phone back. “You deserve it. Honestly, your taste in women is pathetic.”

Everyone in the social circles knew Lilian was trash the worst of the worst.

And yet Ethan had somehow convinced himself she was the embodiment of goodness.

Tessa turned and walked away.

From the hospital room, Susan’s shrill voice could still be heard: “We’re not leaving! Don’t even think about it!”

“In that case, we’ll have to arrange to transport Madam Susan and Ms. Lilian home,” the head nurse said coldly.

Susan snapped, “Get your hospital director out here! I want to speak to him

personally!”

“Madam Susan, it won’t make any difference. Not even the director can change this.”

When Ethan approached the door to the hospital room, the first thing he saw was the complete mess inside.

It looked like a hurricane had passed through.

Lilian sat on the bed, looking pitiful and helpless amid the chaos.

Ethan’s heart ached at the sight.

When Lilian spotted him, she choked out, “Ethan…”

He strode forward and pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay. I’ll handle it.”

Turning a cold glare on the head nurse, Ethan snapped, “Get out.”

“Sir, there’s no need to make this difficult,” the head nurse said with visible strain. “This is-”

“Get out!” Ethan roared.

The head nurse gave Lilian a long, cold glance, then turned and left without another word.

But her retreating figure made it clear this was far from over.

Jason had just stepped into the room when he heard Ethan bark, “Go fix it.”

Jason’s heart sank.

Even with the Keene family holding shares in this hospital, they couldn’t keep Lilian

here…

The force behind this is terrifying.

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