Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 20

Therefore, Quennel was certain that Stephanie couldn’t let him go.

She had dressed up so beautifully to come home, wanting to see him captivated and mesmerized by her.

And he was mesmerized. Quennel’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I give up, Stephanie. Can we please stop fighting? You know how long I’ve waited for that day, for us to…”

Stephanie frowned, yanking her arm away from his outstretched hand.

“Quennel, you’re truly disgusting me right now.”

With that, Stephanie turned and left the garden without a backward glance.

Quennel’s brow furrowed.

Disgusting? She actually called him disgusting?

Stephanie went to her room and unlocked a drawer. From it, she took out a bracelet, a watch, and a jade pendant broken in two.

These were the belongings of her father and two brothers, items Stephanie had personally retrieved from their bodies at the crash site.

She placed them carefully into a box, terrified of causing any further damage.

Once she was done, she opened the door.

Ternence saw her coming downstairs and smiled. “Stephanie, you’re back! Go wash up, dinner is almost ready.”

Quennel sat beside Ternence, sneaking glances at her from the corner of his eye.

Stephanie’s tone was distant. “I won’t be staying for dinner. I just came back to get some things.”

Wilma emerged from the kitchen, her voice edged with displeasure. “I had the cook make your favorite savory pork roast, and you’re leaving already?”

Stephanie was already in the foyer changing her shoes, but she paused. “Actually, I don’t really like that pork dish.”

It was clear they all knew what he had done but chose to play dumb.

She had once considered this place her home, but she knew now, with chilling clarity, that it never would be again.

Stephanie looked at Ternence and said softly, “Mr. Gonzalez, I’ll find time to visit you on holidays. Please take care of yourself.”

As soon as the door closed, Wilma erupted. “Look how spoiled she is! Our son is begging and pleading with her, and she still gives us attitude! Who does she think she is? I told you, Quennel, you let her have her way too much. One day she was bound to walk all over you!”

Quennel frowned but said nothing.

Ternence glared at him. “Quennel, did you or did you not do something to betray Stephanie? I owe a debt to Mr. Jackson, you can’t…”

Wilma couldn’t bear to see her son scolded and reflexively defended him. “It’s Stephanie who’s being petty. You know your son’s character. Besides, they kept the marriage private, so no one knows. Quennel, in a couple of days, you should meet a girl. I hear she’s a brilliant and cultured woman, with a gentle personality.

For a family like ours, there’s no shortage of girls who want to marry in. Stephanie has no real family to speak of anyway. I never thought she was good enough for you.”