Miley grinned and said, “I’ve been craving Erin’s food, ha-ha.”
The two laughed and chatted as they walked to the dining room.
Erin served breakfast and then kindly left them to enjoy their time together.
Between bites, Miley said, “My studio’s been crazy busy lately. I’ve been traveling nonstop and just got back last night. I’m completely worn out.”
Stella nodded and said, “It’s quite obvious. You’ve got bags under your eyes. Here, have my egg. You should eat more to regain your strength.”
Miley felt touched. After eating Stella’s egg, she asked, “How are things with you and Matthew? Is he doing better?”
Stella looked down, unsure of how to respond, especially after her argument with Matthew earlier that morning.
Miley’s eyes flickered toward Stella’s neck, and a sly smile crept across her face. “Guess I don’t need to ask. Amnesia or not, he’s still falling for you.”
Stella let out a bitter laugh. “That’s impossible. He can’t even stand me.”
Chuckling, Miley pointed at her neck and asked, “Then what’s that? Don’t tell me it’s just a mosquito bite.”
owlstorynest
Widening her eyes, Stella’s cheeks flushed as she quickly covered her neck and muttered, “I had too much to drink last night…”
Still smiling, Miley teased, “So Matthew lost control, huh? You guys then had a passionate night, right?” But halfway through her teasing, Miley noticed Stella’s troubled expression. She stopped joking and asked seriously, “Is he still acting the same?”
Stella nodded, fighting back tears. “Yes.”
Gritting her teeth in frustration, Miley said, “I can’t believe Matthew is seriously planning to leave you for Lindsay! His amnesia is the cause of this. When the heck would he recover? And that Lindsay-what nerve! Even if she saved his life, that doesn’t give her the right to wreck your marriage!! Can’t the Clark family, with their wealth and power, find a specialist to treat her? Why on earth is she demanding that Matthew divorce you?”
Stella quickly hushed Miley, placing a hand over her mouth. “Keep your voice down. If Erin hears and tells his grandparents, it’ll be a disaster.”
Still fuming, Miley removed Stella’s hand and lowered her voice but continued in a fierce tone, “He’s treating you horribly, and you’re still thinking about protecting his family?”
Stella lowered her gaze and said, “His grandparents have always been kind to me. This is only happening because of his memory loss…”
Although Stella understood, she couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
Miley, still seething, urged, “You need to divorce him! You shouldn’t have to endure this. When he finally remembers, I hope he regrets every second.”
Before Stella could respond, a loud “thud” startled them from behind.
Simultaneously, both women turned toward the door.
Standing there were Waldo and Lucia, both wearing expressions of shock.
Waldo looked particularly angry, striking the floor with his cane and demanding, “Who’s talking about divorce?”
Stella froze, and Miley began to panic, too.