Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Chapter 231

"Why?"

The question lingered in the stairwell, echoing softly.

Stella nuzzled against his chest once more, whispering, "Because I like you. I like you, like you..."

Her repeated confessions echoed in Ronald's ears, stirring his heart like a thunderous roar across the mountains, making his pupils contract uncontrollably.

"Do you like me as a brother, or do you like Ronald?"

His voice, magnetic and deep, would be hard to decipher for anyone fully conscious, let alone Stella in her state.

This time, however, there was no reply.

After a few seconds of silence, Ronald looked down to find Stella's lips slightly parted, her breathing even and calm. Her once tightly clenched hand on his shirt gradually loosened. She had fallen asleep.

Gazing at her flushed cheeks, Ronald couldn't help but smile helplessly.

He carried her upstairs to her room, and as he laid her on the bed, Stella stirred, but her eyes remained hazy, barely awake, "Ronald."

"What is it?"

"I want a hug."

Her voice was plaintive, tinged with a hint of grievance. "I want to be hugged forever."

"Alright, a hug."

pleading eyes, Ronald couldn't refuse. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into

a cold from the alcohol, he quickly wrapped her in the

kiss landed on Stella's forehead, "Goodnight, sleep

like a return to their

had always been dependent on Ronald, insisting that he tuck her

was at school, she would

even college, Ronald was driven home every

distance Ronald had to travel, suggested he

nanny to look after her in a house opposite

school

her rosy lips, Ronald's Adam's apple bobbed, the heat in his eyes

a kiss that carried

of

grapes, intoxicating and ire.

opened her drowsy eyes to see Ronald, the familiar warmth

her response, but only for a moment. His

a phone broke

glanced at the sleeping Stella. He laid her gently

lips. Touching his lips, he noticed a trace

sharper

Stella's phone continued ringing.

checked the caller ID - an unknown

Uninterested, he hung up.

end of the line, Yorick dialed Stella's number repeatedly, his mind racing as he realized Ronald

the partnership with the Quarry family was off, and he