The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1135

The commotion finally died down, and everyone made their way back to the private room. Charlotte and Shirley stuck close to Stella, guiding her to the bathroom so she could clean up. The red wine stain was huge—her clothes were completely ruined.

Charlotte was just about to ask someone to buy Stella a new outfit when Roger appeared out of nowhere. He was still in his thin dress shirt, hair a bit messy, holding a white shopping bag in one hand.

“Clothes,” Roger said, stopping in front of them and handing the bag to Shirley. He couldn’t help but glance toward the restroom.

Stella was huddled in Roger’s suit jacket, looking small and shaken. When she heard his voice, she glanced over. Their eyes met for a split second.

She quickly took the bag, avoided his gaze, and closed the door.

Changing clothes, Stella couldn’t help but notice the ugly scars crisscrossing her skin. Olivia’s words from earlier echoed in her mind. “Do I need to remind you what happened when you were fifteen?”

Fifteen.

Stella ran her fingers over the thick, knotted scar on her arm. Her eyes stung, and a dull ache tightened her throat.

She knew her own limits, what she could and couldn’t hope for. Some things just weren’t meant for her.

After slipping into the clean clothes, Stella carefully folded Roger’s suit jacket and stepped out of the bathroom.

“Roger, thank you for the clothes.”

Roger took the jacket from her, his gaze lingering on Stella. “Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

Charlotte didn’t bother to straighten up. She kept her casual pose, eyes half-lidded. “Roger, are you really going to keep this up?”

Stella wasn’t as timid as she looked. She actually knew exactly what she wanted. She’d built walls around herself ages ago, and nobody had ever gotten in. Roger showing up could be a good thing, or a bad one. Good, because someone had finally reached her. Bad, because she clearly didn’t want to let him in.

“You never know if you can break down a wall until you try,” Roger said. He lit a cigarette, smoke curling around his fingers, his face a little sad. “I’m not that hopeless, right?”

“Give it a try, but if she really doesn’t want it, let it go,” Charlotte replied, voice calm, one eyebrow raised. “It’s not like I can’t take care of her myself.”

The night wore on, and since they had class in the morning, everyone started heading out around ten. Except for Charlotte, both Shirley and Stella had tried some low-alcohol red wine. It was their first time drinking, and even though they hadn’t had much, it still made them a little tipsy. Their cheeks were pink, and they looked a bit dazed.

Charlotte, wrapped up in Anthony’s jacket, snuggled into his arms and looked up at him. “Roger and Kenneth have their own cars. Anthony, since you called the driver, can you have him take Shirley and Stella home first?”