The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1996

"I'm right here. No one will ever hurt you again."

Stella cried silently, unable to form a single word.

A long time passed.

Once Stella finally calmed down, she handed Charlotte the items she had prepared.

"Charlotte, this is the card Samantha gave me, and the bracelet. Could you please return them for me?"

Seeing the items in the box, Charlotte frowned, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. "Stella, neither Roger nor anyone else in the Gates family cares about the rumors."

"I know."

Stella forced a painful smile, her voice barely a whisper. "Roger is a wonderful person, and his entire family has been so kind to me."

"It's the greatest honor of my life to have been liked by them. I truly am... so grateful."

"But..." Her voice cracked, plunging into despair. "Because they are so good, I refuse to let them take the blame for my ruined past. I won't let people mock them because of me."

The Gates family's sterling reputation shouldn't be dragged through the mud for her sake.

Hearing this, Charlotte didn't push the issue.

Stella needed time to process everything.

"I'll hold onto these for now. When you're completely healthy, you can return them yourself." Charlotte gently stroked her cheek. "Let's eat dinner first."

"Okay."

Seeing Charlotte cooking for her while heavily pregnant filled Stella with overwhelming guilt.

She forced herself to eat, desperate to recover quickly so Charlotte wouldn't have to worry anymore.

Halfway through the meal, Charlotte's phone buzzed.

Making an excuse, she slipped out of the room and headed downstairs.

The second she was gone, Stella's chewing slowed to a halt. She bolted to the bathroom and threw up everything she had just eaten.

Meanwhile, outside the apartment building.

Roger stood under the streetlamp, wearing the same clothes from yesterday.

"She just woke up. She's eating," Charlotte said, burying her hands in her coat pockets. She frowned at the exhausted man. "How's your hand?"

"It's fine."

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