Played By Fate

"Is Charles home yet?" Stella McWell asked Marimar, the maid, while looking around the living room. She had just woken up and noticed her husband, Charles Cooper, wasn't in their bed."Why are you asking me about your husband?" Marimar replied sharply.Stella bit her lip, holding back her reply. Even though they were close in age, Marimar was still a maid. But Marimar acted like they were the same. It hurt that even Charles and his sister treated her like a servant.Instead of responding to Marimar's sarcasm, Stella went to the kitchen. She knew Marimar wouldn't cook for her when Charles wasn't around. Marimar only acted nice when Charles was there.Marimar followed Stella into the kitchen and commanded, "Hurry up and clean the dishes. Miss Sophie and Madam Magda are coming."Stella continued cooking eggs, pretending not to hear. Marimar meant Charles' sister and stepmother. Stella had gotten used to their mean behavior in the three years she'd been with Charles. She put up with i

Stella felt a lump form in her throat. She turned to Charles once more and asked, "I just need to know if I ever meant anything to you, even a little?"Charles gave her a cold look. "You know I only married you because of my grandfather. Take the money you wanted when we got married and give me back my freedom."Stella struggled to hide a bitter smile. She couldn't blame Charles for thinking that. When he asked why she wanted to marry him, she didn't have a good answer; she just said it was her dream to marry a rich man. Even if she had given a different reason, he would still see her as a gold digger. What stung the most was that Charles never loved her during their three years together. She let out a quiet sigh and nodded slowly, accepting the painful truth."Would you have loved me if I'd been wealthy?" Stella asked without really thinking."Real love isn't about using someone's weaknesses for your own gain," Charles answered coldly.Stella lowered her head, feeling wounded by

"Got any updates?" Charles tapped his foot impatiently."Sorry, Sir. Checked everywhere, but no luck," Roy replied.Charles dropped his pen, glaring at Roy. "Isn't there another way to find her and get her back?"Roy sighed, knowing Charles was running out of patience fast. Charles was determined to bring Stella back to the house before his grandfather showed up."Get out!" Charles yelled again as Roy struggled to answer.Days slipped by, and Charles remained unable to reach Stella. What frustrated him most was her failure to fulfill their agreement. She'd taken the money but hadn't shown up as agreed to meet Ramon, a condition for their divorce to seem smooth and untangled.Charles pondered deeply, wondering where Stella might have found shelter. He wished he knew more about her family or where she might have fled to.'Why am I fretting over her? The guy she's with is probably loaded, so she won't be destitute,' he reasoned with himself.'But you can't be certain that man in t

Stella burst into tears upon when she got the news from Caledonia. She sat down on the couch, looking weak, and turned to Fausto."What's wrong? Who were you talking to?" Fausto asked, sounding worried.Stella cried even more, struggling to speak. Her lips moved, but no words came out."Stella, tell me what happened!" Fausto said loudly, getting anxious seeing her cry."Grandpa, it's Dad..."Fausto clenched his jaw, his shoulders drooping. He shook his head, watching Stella cry."Dad's gone, Grandpa!" Stella said.Fausto rushed to her side, embracing her tightly. He felt numb inside, unable to shed tears."What do I do now that Dad's gone? Why did this happen? I was just talking to him, and he was coming here," Stella said between sobs, her shoulders shaking with grief. The suddenness of it all was too much to bear."I'll go back, and you'll stay here. I'll make sure those responsible are held accountable!""No, Grandpa, I can't let you face them alone. I'm sure what happened

The saleslady sneered at Stella, thinking she had judged her correctly.Stella shrugged at Sophie, flashing a grin. "You know Mr. McWell Sr.'s granddaughter can't stand fake or two-faced people, right?"Sophie clenched her fist and glared at Stella. The way Stella's words had grown sharper since leaving the Cooper family grated on her nerves."And why would she even consider being friends with you, someone who's nothing but trash and a gold digger?" Elizabeth hurled the insult."Oh, got any evidence that I'm after money? And what's your excuse for staying single?" Stella needled, casting a glance at Elizabeth's ringless fingers."It's not your concern!" Elizabeth snapped, feeling stung by Stella's mockery of her and Charles' unmarried status."Charles is tied up with a new business venture, so their wedding plans are on hold. And just so you know, his company is now partnered with Fausto's, so we might just end up being friends with his granddaughter too," Sophie declared, puffin