She fought to keep her composure, blinking away the tears in front of Sanford.
Noticing her reddened eyes, Sanford gently reached out, smoothing her hair with a comforting touch.
At that moment, a light cough and a mocking voice interrupted from outside the door.
“Stella, you certainly have a knack for attracting men. As soon as your old flame is gone, you’re already leaning on a new one.”
Sanford withdrew his hand, and both he and Stella turned toward the door.
It was Robin.
Robin smirked and continued with derision, “Are you concerned about losing your status as Mrs. Clark and already searching for a replacement?”
His gaze shifted to Sanford, and with exaggerated emphasis, he said, “Oh, isn’t this the man from that night?”
Stella’s expression hardened, and she replied firmly, “Robin, mind your words.”
Robin, however, remained unfazed, continuing to grin. “I was just visiting my sister. Your husband-or maybe my future brother-in-Law-is with her now, being so attentive that I felt out of place.”
He persisted with his taunts, but Stella chose not to respond, maintaining her silence.
Robin, visibly agitated, jabbed a finger toward Stella and snapped, “Are you deaf or just plain stupid? Or have you already given up because you know you can’t measure up to my sister?”
Stella sneered and shot back, “For a man, you sure gossip like an old hen. Don’t you have anything better to do? Or are you just loafing around all day, clinging to your sister, and now you have time to come here and badmouth me?”
.. Library
Robin, his face flushing with rage and humiliation, stepped forward, shouting, “Today, I’ll show you exactly what I’m made of!”
Before he could reach Stella, Sanford stepped in front of him, his voice low and steady. “Are you really planning to start trouble in a hospital room?”
Sanford towered over him, his imposing presence casting a shadow that made Robin seem small in comparison.
Realizing he was no match for Sanford, Robin quickly composed himself.
He sneered at Stella and taunted, “Matthew just told me he’s divorcing you soon to marry my sister. You can’t beat her. It’d be wise to admit defeat now.”
Stella’s heart skipped a beat at Robin’s words.
She knew Matthew too well. Lindsay had fainted today and if she played up her injured legs, he would undoubtedly cave. But Stella refused to show any weakness in front of Robin.
She forced herself to stay calm and scoffed, “Matthew and I aren’t divorced yet. The Wheeler family is basically backing Lindsay as a home wrecker. If you want to brag, at least wait until the day I’m actually divorced. Marrying into the Clark family isn’t so easy for a home wrecker.”
“You… You…” Robin stammered, nearly driven mad with anger, but he couldn’t find the words to fire back.
After a long pause, he finally spat out a threat. “Don’t get too cocky. You’ll be the one crying soon enough.”
Stella brushed off his threat and, with growing impatience asked, “Are you leaving on your own, or do I need to throw you out?”