He Never Noticed Me Until I Loved Someone Else novel Chapter 288

Remembering what Summer had told her about him locking her in the bedroom the night before to stop the breakup, Stella couldn't hold back. She marched over and shoved him away.

"What the hell are you doing? Can't you see she's miserable?!" Stella snapped, quickly wrapping a protective arm around her friend.

Summer rested her head against Stella's shoulder. "Stella, tell him to leave," she whispered weakly.

"You heard her," Stella said, shooting him an icy glare.

Lucca stood frozen in place, his cheek still stinging from the slap.

Seeing Summer seeking comfort in Stella's arms, refusing to even look in his direction, he finally backed down. He muttered, "I'll handle this mess as soon as possible," before turning on his heel and leaving.

Stella had naturally noticed the glaring handprint on his face. Once he was gone, she gently helped Summer lie back down. "Summer, did something else happen? Why did it blow up like that?"

She knew their rift was because of Aria, but she didn't know the dark details.

When Summer's frail voice finally revealed the pregnancy, Stella was struck completely speechless.

No wonder she was so utterly broken—Lucca had actually gotten Aria pregnant!

That slap hadn't been nearly hard enough!

Seeing how fragile her friend looked, Stella swallowed back a barrage of curses. Instead, she held her hand tightly, offering silent comfort.

It wasn't until late that evening, after much insistence from Summer, that Stella finally left the hospital.

The fainting spell had simply been brought on by severe emotional distress, and physically, she was fine. Still, Stella wasn't taking any chances; she hired a private nurse for the night and promised to return first thing in the morning.

Surprisingly, he didn't put up a fight. His tone was infuriatingly tender. "You've worked so hard all these years. Take some time off, relax at home, and start planning our wedding."

She found the sheer delusion laughable.

Before she could respond, he continued, "Summer, I forbid you from mentioning a breakup again. I'm going on a business trip for a few days. By the time I get back, everything will be settled, and I'll make it all up to you."

Even at this breaking point, he still believed she was just throwing a tantrum. He genuinely thought she was incapable of walking away from him.

Drained of the energy to argue, Summer simply told him to call HR and authorize her resignation before ending the call.

She immediately dialed an old friend who was working overseas. "I'm in for that project you mentioned. Give me two weeks to wrap things up here, and I'll be on a flight."