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."

couldn't refuse. He sat on the edge of the bed

might catch a cold from the

kiss landed on Stella's forehead, "Goodnight,

felt like a

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

was at school, she would

throughout middle school, high school, and even college, Ronald was driven home

the distance Ronald had to travel, suggested he find

him, hiring a nanny to look after her in

started school herself that they moved back

apple bobbed, the

meeting hers in a kiss that carried the rick

of

grapes, intoxicating and ire.

opened her drowsy eyes to see Ronald, the familiar warmth enveloping her. She wrapped her arms around

only for a moment. His reaction was even more fervent

broke the

glanced at the sleeping Stella. He laid her gently

Touching his lips, he noticed a trace

was sharper than he

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

with the Quarry family was off, and he couldn't believe Stella