Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Stella was silent, her mind churning as Yorick mentioned the Larkin and Quarry families. It hit her then - Ursula's mess was probably Ronald's doing too.

Wait a minute. Ronald had seemed peeved when she mentioned her car accident.

Stella couldn't hold back her sarcasm. "Wow, Yorick, still got the nerve to be snippy with me, huh? Color me impressed."

He knew full well the drama involved her, yet here he was, adopting that tone over the phone.

Stella retorted, "Just a friendly reminder, pal. Ursula cost me a lot two years back. And you know, I've got this flaw where if someone owes me, I'm not comfy until I see some interest on that debt." Her words made it sound like she was the bully.

So, when they were pushing her around, they were the saints?

Stella snorted, adding, "Twice the cost seems fair to me."

That set Yorick off. "Stella," he bellowed, anger vibrating through each syllable.

But before he could continue, Stella hung up.

So it's Ronald's doing? Not hers to worry about. Ursula's mess was her own fault.

Stella had been ready to overlook Ursula's supposed ailments, as per Tegan James' account. But she didn't expect Ronald to...

Thinking about how Ronald had always had her back, a warm feeling spread through her, despite not knowing where this situation would lead them.

...

barely able to muster the

pain was searing, making it hard to

Stella looked

still in his overcoat with snowflakes clinging to his shoulders and hair, had clearly just

scooping Stella up from the floor. "What

tears. "It

and weakness were new

her, immediately

her back on the bed, checking her,

up.

later,

102 degrees. "How did it get this high? Are

Stella

her s flushing

her tense up, her.

swnol

indeed, in a

silence, Finley pressed, "Are you hurt