Chapter 3

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 his words. She stayed quiet for a moment before coming to a decision.

Daniel was taken aback when Stella silently took the pen from his hand and signed the divorce papers. He looked at Charles, but he had already walked away.

Magda and Sophie looked at Stella in shock. They hadn't expected her to give in without a struggle.

"Hah, your true colors are finally out. Today, you've shown that you're just after money and never really cared for Charles!" Sophie accused angrily, feeling hurt for Charles.

"Sophie, don't bother wasting your words on her. A gold digger has no heart and is nothing but deceitful," Elizabeth said, gripping Sophie's arm.

"I want Charles to find happiness, and that's why I'm letting him go," Stella replied calmly.

Sophie paused, noticing the sadness in Stella's eyes despite her calm demeanor.

Stella turned to Elizabeth. "I'm leaving Charles in your hands. Take care of him. He struggles to sleep alone at night."

Elizabeth glanced away in irritation, feeling insulted by Stella's implication that she was settling for leftovers.

"There's one more document you need to sign," Daniel said to Stella, handing her another paper.

Stella let out a deep sigh, looking at the document. It was the agreement for the money.

"Hey, don't be in a hurry to move into the house. Let Charles' stuff get cleared out first," Magda started, but Stella turned away abruptly.

"I don't want it. Just wanna say thanks for looking out for me these three years," Stella said, walking away.

Daniel stared, surprised that Stella wasn't interested in the money or the house.

"Hey, Stella, what about your stuff?" Marimar called after her at the door.

"You can have it all," Stella replied, heading out slowly. She had to leave while she still could walk.

"Ugh, so arrogant! She's just trying to guilt-trip you into feeling sorry for her by turning down the money!" Elizabeth exclaimed, frustrated.

Sophie blinked, coming back to reality. She wanted to go after Stella, who seemed unwell, but Magda stopped her.

"Don't feel sorry for her. She's skilled at that. Charles shouldn't find out she rejected the money."

Reluctantly, Sophie nodded, watching Stella hop into a taxi with only her purse. She couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Stella, wondering if they'd made the right choice.

"Don't dwell on it. She doesn't deserve your sympathy. We should celebrate your brother being free, and my dream of marrying Charles can finally happen," Elizabeth urged.

Sophie smiled at Elizabeth and agreed. She took the document from Daniel, knowing she had to keep it hidden. "Say Stella took her copy when you tell Charles."

Daniel nodded reluctantly and went with Charles to the study.

"Did she sign everything?" Charles inquired, still not turning around.

"Yeah," Daniel confirmed, laying out the signed papers.

Charles glanced over the divorce papers, verifying Stella's signature. He figured she must've done it out of necessity, especially with the house involved in the deal.

"You sure about this?" Daniel questioned, studying his friend intently.

Without a word, Charles poured wine into a glass and extended one to Daniel for a toast.

Daniel didn't push for an answer, clinking glasses with his friend, understanding that Charles needed the company.

Marimar happily walked into Stella's room, picking out things she liked. She hesitated at the jewelry, wondering if she should take them now, even though Sophie said they were hers. Choosing to grab them later, she locked the room to keep others out.

Meanwhile, Sophie, Magda, and Elizabeth cheered too, glad to be rid of Stella, who they always found annoying.

***

Stella squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back tears. She needed to stay calm, even though her stomach hurt again. Luckily, she had enough money for a taxi. She asked the driver to take her to the hospital, worried she might lose her baby because of the pain.

Feeling weak, Stella thought about calling the person who had given her a ride yesterday. But she was disappointed to find her phone dead; she forgot to charge it. She crumpled her medical papers, determined to keep her pregnancy a secret. Thankfully, the taxi driver was kind and helped her into the hospital.

When Jenny heard her patient had come back, she rushed to help. Seeing the blood, she was really worried, but she didn't ask questions. She could tell Stella was desperate.

"Please, don't let my baby die!" Stella begged Jenny, her voice quivering with fear.

Jenny nodded sadly, understanding the urgency. She quickly administered a shot to stop the bleeding, then instructed Stella to rest in bed. She admired Stella's bravery in facing this challenge alone to save her child.

Feeling somewhat reassured by Jenny's care, Stella allowed herself to drift into darkness, seeking respite from the pain in her heart.

"Dr. Dawson, aren't you going home yet?" the nurse inquired upon finding Jenny still in the patient's room.

"I'll stay until she wakes up," Jenny replied. Stella had been asleep for hours, and Jenny monitored her whenever she could.

Stella awoke to the sound of movement. Gently, she placed her hand on her stomach, feeling a mixture of worry and hope.

Stella mustered a small smile when she saw Jenny. "Thank you so much! I really appreciate you looking after me."

"It's my duty to help save lives. Is there anything else you need?"

Stella glanced at the clock on the wall. It was evening, and her stomach rumbled with hunger.

"I've got some food ready that's good for you and the baby."

"Thank you. Could I borrow your phone?"

Jenny didn't hesitate to hand Stella her phone, noticing Stella's was turned off.

Grateful, Stella dialed Alex, the person she always relied on for help. "I need your help."

Jenny observed Stella closely, noticing a shift in her demeanor depending on who she was speaking to.

Stella kept the call short, sharing her location before returning the phone to Jenny.

"Would you like a charger for your phone?" Jenny offered.

"No, thank you."

"Well, if you don't need anything else, I'll head out. Don't worry, I've informed the night shift doctor and nurse about your situation."

Stella said another thank you to Jenny. When she was alone, she pushed herself to eat despite her lack of appetite, knowing she had to nourish herself for her baby's sake.

Her mood remained gloomy, even after Alex arrived.

"Are you going back home?" Alex asked politely. When she nodded, he smiled. "Your dad will be happy."

Stella gave him a bitter smile. Going back to her dad's meant giving up her freedom completely.

"Don't worry. You'll be better off now. You won't have to go through what you did with your ex-husband."

She glanced away, irritated. She had just found out her dad had been keeping an eye on her situation without her knowing.

"I've sorted everything out. You can leave whenever you're ready."

Stella swiftly got out of bed and got ready. When her dad was involved, anything could happen.

"Your phone."

She snatched the phone from Alex, planning to get rid of it. She broke the SIM card and tossed it in the trash. Then she threw the phone against the wall, smashing it to bits. "Tidy up the room before you go."

Alex hurried to clean up the mess on the floor and threw it away. He was glad to see the old Stella returning.