Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

It was all because of Stella—that troublemaker. She'd ruined everything between Regina and Ronald.

And now, Regina was paying the price.

Regina's heart ached as she watched. From the moment Ronald walked in, she couldn't take her eyes off him. But he didn't look her way, not even once.

Instead, Ronald went straight over to Stella, pulling her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin like she was something precious. It was as if Regina was nothing more than dirt on his shoes-something that would taint Stella if she even glanced her way.

"Hurry up and get her out of here!" the butler barked, not daring to hesitate. He signaled for the staff to drag Regina away.

Regina knew all too well what would happen once they got her out of here. If Ronald wouldn't even look at her now, there was no hope for her.

"No! Don't make me go back there! Ronald, please, let me go home!" Regina pleaded desperately, her voice trembling.

Ronald stood with his back to her. She couldn't see his face, couldn't read his expression.

Regina's tears spilled over. "Are you really going to just forget everything we had? We grew up together! How could you do this to me?"

Ronald never so much

struggled, her legs barely working, her arms useless. "Don't touch

inside her. Why had Xander betrayed the whole Schultz family for Stella? Regina had planned everything so perfectly. If things had gone her way, Stella would have been out of

was forced out, leaving only Stella and

Ronald loosened his grip on Stella. He looked down at her scrunched-up

like that... I thought I'd feel something. But honestly? I don't feel a

far-she was a mess, nothing like the polished

towards people who've hurt me," Stella said quietly, gripping Ronald's sleeve. Her voice was complicated, layered with old pai, She'd felt the same way about the Larkin family. Now it was Regina. No

hair gently. "That's exactly how

so?" she asked, uncertainty flickering

sure

pulled her into his arms again, making her giggle

a time when he worried she might be too

snuggled into him, her voice muffled. "They're nothing alike,

an eyebrow. "You