The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 2003

Stella sat in absolute silence, her hands balling into tight fists at her sides as the color drained from her face. All she could picture was Roger standing alone in the dead of night, staring up at her window.

"Get some rest, sweetie. I'll go fix you something to eat," Samantha said softly. She hated manipulating the girl's feelings, but she needed to force Stella to confront the reality of the situation.

Samantha headed downstairs. Roger had already prepared a tray of food and slipped away, clearly terrified that his presence would upset Stella.

"Those two," Samantha sighed, carrying the tray back upstairs.

It was a simple meal.

"Let me feed you," Samantha offered, blowing gently on a spoonful of rice. She smiled warmly. "Open up."

Stella had zero appetite, but when she recognized the distinctive way the egg fried rice was made, her fingers trembled. She parted her lips and took the bite.

Samantha let out a quiet breath of relief, patiently coaxing her to eat, handing her water, and wiping her mouth.

"I never had a daughter," Samantha said softly, her gaze locked on Stella. "So I've always looked at Charlotte, Shirley, and you as my own girls. You have to eat and get better, Stella."

"Every day you suffer, my heart breaks with yours."

As Stella chewed the rice, a massive lump formed in her throat. Silent tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying?" Samantha panicked, pulling the girl into her arms. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Please..." Stella sobbed into Samantha's shoulder, overwhelmed by a maternal warmth she had never known. Her voice cracked. "Please don't be so good to me."

The kinder they were, the deeper her guilt ran.

In the end, he simply tucked the blanket around her shoulders. Terrified of waking her, he only allowed himself five minutes before leaving.

The second the door clicked shut, Stella's eyes snapped open. She stared at the closed door, the shadows heavy under her eyes.

Roger.

She had convinced herself that keeping him away would dull the agonizing ache in her chest. She was wrong. In those five short minutes, a suffocating wave of longing had crashed over her.

Samantha's words echoed in her mind: 'There are so many people in this world who love you. How could you bear to break our hearts?'

He hadn't eaten. He was standing outside her window all night.

Stella clamped her hands over her ears, shutting her eyes tightly as the venomous online comments and her desperate yearning for Roger violently collided in her mind.