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Chapter 8
Kaugnay na kabanata
Is This Regret? Chapter 9
Stella reacted happily in front of both families."We're a family from now onward."Her words were a heavy weight on Noel's heart.Noel clenched his fists hard and stared at the person in front of him.Stella could tell that he was angry and upset, but she did not care.She hugged Eric's arm and asked him about the next item on the itinerary with a smile.Eric looked at the time. When he looked up at her, his usually cold and distant eyes looked gentle."I was late because the flight was delayed. I'm sorry to keep you waiting for me so long. You must be exhausted now. Let's go back to the old mansion and rest first. Tomorrow, I'll take you to have dinner with the elders. Is that alright?"The Chilton elders laughed and teased them when they heard this."Wow, getting married has changed you. You really know how to dote on your wife.""You've always been such an uptight person, Eric. I didn't know you could speak so sweetly to anyone."Old Mr. Chilton looked extremely happy be
Is This Regret? Chapter 10
Even though Stella was aware of Eric's feelings for her, she still felt a little uncomfortable when they were alone together as they had never really crossed paths before.Eric noticed this and spoke warmly to her."Do you have a nickname?"Stella did not expect him to suddenly speak. She nodded gently and replied to his question."My grandparents called me their 'Star'. You can call me that too…"She blushed halfway through her sentence. She was reminded of the stack of love letters she had only glanced at once before, and she lowered her eyes with slight guilt.There was a flash in Eric's eyes as if he remembered something. A warm smile appeared on his face."Their star? Shining like the stars in the sky, right?"Stella could tell that he sounded a little happy.She could not hold back her curiosity as she tried to sneak a look at his face by tilting her head slightly. She ended up looking right into Eric's deep eyes.Stella found herself attracted to him the moment their e
Is This Regret? Chapter 11
Eric was stunned for a few seconds before snapping out of it. He asked Stella a question instead."I can answer you, but before that, I have a question for you too. Why did you choose me to marry?"It was Stella's turn to think up an answer to a difficult question.Fortunately, she was a smart woman, and she soon came up with a few reasons. "I'm the only daughter of the Judds, and you're the head of the Chiltons. A marriage alliance is about two strong parties joining forces. Besides, our age gap isn't that big. We must have common interests to share and talk about. I don't need to worry about how to get along with you after we get married. You're an outstanding man, and it makes sense for me to try my luck with the best your family has to offer. I stood to gain a lot if you agreed to the marriage."Eric knew immediately that she was making it all up.That was not how she really felt.There were some things that he still had to get to the bottom of.After she was done with tha
Is This Regret? Chapter 12
That night, Noel drowned his sorrows with alcohol. He did not stop drinking even after throwing up.Sophie cried until her eyes were red and was still trying to talk him out of it with a hoarse voice."Please stop drinking, Noel. You'll end up in the hospital if you continue this way. Please don't hurt yourself over a woman who only wants to climb the social ladder and doesn't know what's good for her."Noel's cloudy eyes seemed to clear up when he heard Sophie's words.He grabbed Sophie by the collar and spoke in a slightly drunken stupor."She doesn't know what's good for her and just wants to climb the social ladder? S-she married my Uncle Eric because s-she wants to make me mad! I've known her for years. H-how could I not know what she's thinking? All she wants is for me to comfort her. I'll go see her right now. I-I just need to beckon her, and she'll come back to me!"Noel pushed away bottles of alcohol as he spoke and stumbled toward the door.Sophie bit down on her lips
Is This Regret? Chapter 13
"How could you hit me?"Sophie lost her wits after being slapped twice. She fell limply to the ground and yelled as her emotions got out of control.Stella blew on her reddened palm as she threw a nonchalant glance at Sophie."One slap was for you hitting me with the car. The other slap is me returning you slapping me last time. Is that so hard to understand?"The look in Eric's eyes froze when he heard Stella's words.When he looked down at the woman on the floor again, the emotions in his eyes sent a chill down Sophie's spine.There was no anger in his eyes nor any tinge of disdain. He was looking at her like she was an ant.Sophie felt her head go numb. It was the first time she had ever felt so close to death.Just as she was close to breaking down, the housekeeper returned with Noel, who was mostly sober now.He spotted Stella right away and stumbled over as he ran. He tried to grab her hand.However, Eric smacked his hand away.Noel was brought up in a pampered environ
Is This Regret? Chapter 14
The next afternoon, Noel was pushed out of bed while still drowsy.He pressed his hand against his head, which was aching tremendously. He was about to lose his temper when he saw Sophie sobbing."Noel, your mother wants to fire my parents and kick our family out of the Chiltons. Please help me!"The blurry images in his mind vanished the moment he heard Sophie's words.He jerked up from bed and was in disbelief."Impossible!"He picked up his cell to call his mother to ask about this.When his mother picked up his call and heard his reason for the call, she hung up."We're not talking about this. It's final!"Sophie cried even louder when she heard the short yet definite answer. She hugged Noel while pleading for his help."Noel… Please talk to your mother about this. We've done nothing wrong. All I want is to stay by your side. You understand how I feel about you, right?"It pained Noel's heart to see Sophie in such a broken state. When he found out where his mother was, h
Is This Regret? Chapter 15
Old Mr. Chilton trusted Eric and left with Stella's parents.The remaining Chilton family members stayed in the living room.Eric sat in the main chair and looked down at the three people kneeling on the ground. There was no emotion in his voice."I remember you having a sharp tongue, Sophie Taylor. Why don't you explain what's happening to me on behalf of your family?"Sophie was filled with fear when facing the head of the Chiltons, who struck fear in everyone's heart.However, she was also aware that this was her only chance with so many people around.Sophie wiped away her tears and told Eric everything while still kneeling on the ground.The Chiltons were speechless after listening to her. Even the bodyguards at the door and the other domestic helpers had no idea how to react.This was the 21st century. It was a mere issue of being fired. It was not like they were not able to find another job. Why would they blow things up like this?Was this even necessary?Eric was the
Is This Regret? Chapter 16
The security camera caught everything clearly.After the police cleared the scene and took down everyone's statements, they took away the bodies and wanted to bring Sophie back to the police station.However, Noel hugged her tight and refused to let go.Sophie laid in his arms. Her eyes were glazed over as she had just suffered a breakdown.Noel's heart ached for her. He wanted to talk to the police to wait until her emotions stabilized.However, Eric stopped him.He gave the police a copy of the security footage and calmly made a request."Officer Colton, this is a copy of security footage that clearly captured how Sophie Taylor tried to murder my wife. I'd like the police to investigate this."Sophie, who was supposed to be out of it, suddenly snapped awake when she heard Eric's words. She went out of control as she screamed."It wasn't me! That was just an accident! The police have already confirmed it!"Noel signed the settlement for me! You can't look into this anymore!"
Pinakabagong kabanata
Is This Regret? Chapter 25
The winter wind was sharp and freezing.Stella was standing alone on the empty rooftop. She was in a daze.She had no idea what she was doing there and wondered why she had seen the three people she least wanted to see after blinking.Sophie was holding the hand of a little boy on her left while her right hand was buried in Noel's pocket. She walked toward Stella arrogantly."Where's your precious little daughter?"Where's your precious little daughter?"Those words were like a nightmare echoing in Stella's mind.She looked around helplessly as she tried to find any trace of her daughter, but there was no clue of life around her.Stella looked up and spotted a silver necklace flashing with a chilling light. It blinded her and hurt her eyes.She was forced to shut her eyes.When she opened her eyes again, she had left her dream behind and returned to reality.The sun was just rising, and the light shone on the calendar.It was December 27th today.Her daughter was kidnapped
Is This Regret? Chapter 24
After Noel's death, Eric would take the children to the old mansion every week to accompany Old Mr Chilton.Everyone knew never to mention his name again.As for the girls, all they knew was that Noel had gone somewhere far away and had no idea when he would be back.Every time Eric brought home cake, they would keep a piece in the fridge.Time washed away the sadness at home.As the girls grew older, they got even more playful. The house would be a mess if one did not pay attention to them.Stella woke up from her afternoon nap and saw them hiding in a corner sneakily. They were flipping through something.She was about to give them a scare when they ran over to her while waving pieces of paper in the air."Mommy, who's Star?"Stella was taken aback. She realized the paper in their hands looked familiar.Those were the love letters Eric had hidden.She had tried looking for them in the bedroom for the past seven years they were married but to no avail. In the end, it was th
Is This Regret? Chapter 23
The next second, Noel's car experienced a strong impact, and the car window’s shards flew everywhere.Blood gushed out from him like a fountain.He felt emptiness before the intense pain came.Before Noel lost consciousness, he used the last of his energy to yank off the necklace around his neck.A song was still playing in his car, which had been crushed to pieces.It sang, "I had you before. It pains me so much now."Stella found out about Noel's accident eight hours later.Their family was still at the old mansion that night.The girls were already asleep and still muttering about wanting to put away a piece of cake.Eric and Stella thought they were still thinking about the castle cake and were discussing if they should order another one the next day. That was when Eric got the call.His smiling face immediately turned grim as he quickly put on his clothes."My big brother said that Noel has been in an accident. I'm going to the hospital to check on him. Stay here with t
Is This Regret? Chapter 22
Old Mr. Chilton decided to organize a birthday party for the children's sixth birthday.Stella requested the kindergarten to give the children two days off, and the entire family went to the old mansion a day in advance.As the party was about to start, the cake they had pre-ordered had yet to arrive.Eric wanted to drive to the bakery to ask about it, but Stella refused to let him leave the house. She would rather get the domestic helpers to bake two cakes for them.However, Eric knew that his daughters had been looking forward to the castle cake for a long time, and he did not want to disappoint them.Old Mr. Chilton doted on his grandchildren and told Eric to hurry up so he could come back faster. However, Stella still refused to let him go.Eric wanted to talk sense into her but relented when he saw the worry in her eyes and her slightly trembling hands. He put his keys down."What's wrong? It's their birthday celebration. I won't go if you don't want me to. Cheer up, okay?"
Is This Regret? Chapter 21
Eric pressed his fingers between his eyes as he felt deep regret for his innocent thoughts back then."We don't have lively personalities. How did our children end up with so much energy?"Stella had something to say about this. She looked at him and answered him seriously."It's because you keep giving in to them. You always make up excuses for them when I'm about to lecture them. How can they quiet down? I think you brought this on yourself."Eric did not dare say a word after getting lectured by Stella.Lowry, the driver, laughed happily when he saw Eric being taught a lesson."Madam Stella, Mr. Chilton's place at home has been taken over since you married him. Who would have known that someone stoic as him would end up becoming a slave to his daughters?" Eric did not retort. All he did was shake his head in exasperation.Stella covered her mouth to sneak a laugh. She was all smiles."Don't get tricked by his troubled face, Lowry. He's really enjoying it.""You're right,
Is This Regret? Chapter 20
Seven months later, Stella gave birth to a pair of daughters.She and Eric agreed that their oldest daughter, Aisling Chilton, would take over the Chilton business while their youngest daughter, Aurora Judd, would inherit the Judd business.He stayed by her side during her pregnancy and completed all his work six months in advance.When the children were born, he had a lot of spare time to help Stella take care of them. Stella's mom also helped out with the babies, and Stella was happy to enjoy her free time.Once she had recovered from the birth, the happy couple returned to the old mansion with their daughters.Old Mr. Chilton was overjoyed. He divided his late wife's jewelry into two and gave them all to his two granddaughters.The other older members of the Chiltons also prepared expensive gifts. Noel's parents transferred a private theme park to them and told them it was a gift for their nieces.Stella remembered the theme park was under Noel's name.She glanced at him and
Is This Regret? Chapter 19
Time passed, and on the day of the year’s first snowfall, Sophie was sentenced to six years in prison by the courts for attempted murder and other crimes.Noel was dead drunk when the news reached him, but he did not care.He had been living life in a drunken stupor for the past six months and was rarely sober.No one could talk him out of it. Every time he got drunk, he would call out for Stella.His buddies could only stand by side and watch as no one dared to contact Stella.To be more precise, no one dared to offend Eric.The media had caught pictures of Eric and Stella honeymooning overseas several times. They looked like happy newlyweds with a close relationship.Eric returned with Stella from the honeymoon on New Year's Eve.During the Chiltons' New Year dinner, Eric made an announcement with a happy look on his face."Stella is pregnant. The doctor says it's twins."As everyone congratulated them, Noel made a gaffe and broke his glass.Everyone turned to look at him.
Is This Regret? Chapter 18
Noel saw Eric's post on social media too.He spotted a hand with a ring at the corner of the picture and felt even deeper despair.That ring was supposed to be his.That soup was supposed to be made for him.However, he had lost everything. He was left with nothing but an empty room now.Where did it all go wrong?Noel could not understand it. All he could do was drown his sorrows in alcohol.When he got tipsy, he lost all inhibitions. He could not stop himself from calling Stella.She finally picked up on his fourth call. All he could hear was shallow breathing.He listened to her breathing with a heavy head and spoke in an upset tone."I was wrong before, Stella. I shouldn't have ignored you. I'm sorry. I know you have feelings for me. You only married Uncle Eric to make me mad, didn't you?"Divorce him and come back to me, alright? I promise you I'll give you the wedding you want. I'll make it up to you with the ring and wedding gown. I promise to be with you wholehearted
Is This Regret? Chapter 17
Eric kept flipping a medical report from the hospital that his secretary sent over to him while on their way home.He read the words 'Mild injury, nothing unusual detected on the organs and bones' several times before he finally stopped worrying.Stella was seated next to him. She took the medical report from his hands and stuffed it into the bag. Her tone was relaxed."I told you I was fine, but you still insisted that I went for a check-up this morning. Can you stop worrying now?""Well, I can only stop worrying after reading the medical report with my own eyes. It just takes a little more time than usual."He sounded reasonable, and Stella nodded. She suddenly remembered something important."When did you get the security footage from Noel's villa?""This morning."Eric replied without hesitation. Stella felt like she was missing something."Doesn't he know about it?""He doesn't need to know. All his assets have to go through my hands including his house, car, and shares.
