The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

Chapter 843 Ethan Still Can’t Let Go

“It’s me–Ethan.”

The cold, clipped voice on the other end made Tessa pause. “You?”

Ethan. She hadn’t heard from him in forever. Ever since coming to Redwood, she’d had no reason to keep in touch with him anyway.

“So, why are you calling me?”

“Is Stella with you?”

Ethan’s question finally snapped her fully awake. Only then did she hear what lay beneath his cold tone–a thread of weariness, almost defeat.

Tessa went silent.

Defeat? Then his life lately must have been a mess.

He’d even gone to Falvaria looking for Stella; how could Mr. Abraham have tolerated that? Of course he’d have found ways to keep Ethan tied up.

And the Keene family had been making headlines too. Judson’s illegitimate son had returned, throwing what had once been a harmonious household into chaos.

Tessa drew in a steadying breath. “She’s not with me. What, you still haven’t let go of her?”

“I’m warning you, Stella’s got nothing to do with you anymore. She and Mr. Abraham already have a marriage certificate, and she’s pregnant with their third child. It’s over; stop deluding yourself.”

Wanting to cut off any lingering obsession, Tessa laid out Stella’s situation plainly. She hoped Ethan would understand–he and Stella were done.

“Give her a message for me,” Ethan said.

“I won’t.”

Why should she? She’d just told him to move on.

Ethan’s voice dropped lower. “The Tom family has a daughter named Kelly–but Kelly isn’t actually the Tom family’s daughter.”

“What do you mean?”

That was Derrick’s family–Marie’s husband. What on earth was Ethan trying to get at, asking me

real daughter isn’t Kelly. It’s a woman

“Reese? Wait, what?”

9:59 pm G

Ethan Still Can’t

H

Finished

together,” Ethan continued. “Back then, Kelly’s attacks on Stella

nothing. This sounds…

family still has designs on Stella? They’d

Ethan corrected.

My head’s

been visiting cosmetic surgery clinics a lot lately,” Ethan went

stunned.

she’s been copying Stella,” Ethan said, “her tastes,

chaotic thoughts clicked into

Cosmetic procedures. Imitating Stella.

Tom family’s current calm might just be a façade; there could be a plot aimed straight at Stella. No way… Hadn’t they learned their lesson the

game,” Ethan said. “If they succeed, you

Reese would step into Stella’s place

And Stella…

heart gave a sharp

all this? You’re not plotting something yourself,

twisted. Ethan had once been obsessed with Stella even after Lillian’s true

important,” Ethan said evenly. “What matters is that you

Tessa stayed quiet.

yourself?” she asked

me a long time

Tessa exhaled softly.

had always been decisive about cutting ties. Whatever existed between them had been finished for good,

hesitated only a