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."

with her pleading eyes, Ronald couldn't refuse. He sat on the edge of

the alcohol, he quickly wrapped

kiss landed on Stella's forehead, "Goodnight,

a return to their

had always been dependent on Ronald, insisting

Ronald was at school, she would wait for

middle school, high school, and even college, Ronald was driven home every night by

had to travel, suggested he find a place

ended up taking Stella with him, hiring a nanny to look after her in a house opposite

until Stella started school herself that they moved back

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

in a kiss that carried the rick scent of wine with

of

grapes, intoxicating and ire.

familiar warmth

only for a moment. His reaction was

broke the

the sleeping Stella. He laid her gently on the bed, covered

his lips, he noticed a trace of blood, muttering,

was sharper than

Stella's phone continued ringing.

caller ID - an

Uninterested, he hung up.

end of the line, Yorick dialed Stella's number repeatedly, his

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