“I want to go back to Prosper Bay.”
Her voice was quiet but firm, carrying a determination that couldn’t be ignored.
Lucia’s face tightened with concern as she immediately objected, her voice filled with worry. “Stella, that’s absolutely out of the question. Betsey even showed up at my house today and caused a scene. What if something happens to you at Prosper Bay with no one there to protect you?”
Stella gave a soft shake of her head, her expression calm but firm.
“Lucia, after everything that happened today, Betsey won’t be causing any more trouble. I‘m sure of it.”
Lucia’s frustration grew as she tried to convince Stella, but when it became clear she wouldn’t be swayed, Lucia turned to Matthew with a silent plea for help. Her eyes asked him to intervene.
Matthew remained composed, his voice steady and unruffled as he turned to Stella. “Just apply the ointment first. We can discuss everything else later.”
Stella’s response was unwavering. “I don’t need it.”
The tension in the room grew thicker, but before anyone could say anything more, Stella’s phone suddenly rang, cutting through the silence.
She glanced at the screen-Sanford’s name appeared.
Matthew’s eyes darkened the moment he saw who was calling.
Oblivious to his reaction, Stella answered the call.
On the other end, Sanford suggested meeting up, mentioning he had something important to discuss regarding Robin.
Without hesitation, Stella agreed to a time and place.
After hanging up, she turned to Lucia. “Lucia, I need to step out for a little while. There’s something I need to take care of.”
She moved toward the door, but before she could leave, Matthew’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with a firm grip.
He fixed her with a piercing gaze, his voice cold and commanding. “Who are you meeting?”
Stella hesitated, not wanting to argue in front of Lucia. Keeping her voice low, she murmured to Matthew, “Lucia is still here.”
Matthew shot a brief glance at Lucia, his grip on Stella’s wrist unyielding.
He turned to Lucia, his voice firm. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll take Stella there myself.”
Before Lucia could respond, Matthew pulled Stella toward the door.
The pressure on her wrist made pain shoot through her, and Stella winced, pulling away. “Matthew, let go! You’re hurting me.”
He halted in his tracks but didn’t release her. His gaze turned cold, and he fixed his eyes on her, demanding, “Who are you going to meet, Stella?”
Stella squared her shoulders, her voice rising with defiance. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. I can meet anyone I choose.”