The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 2022

"Roger..."

Stella pressed her lips together, gathering her courage. "I... I'm sick."

Though she spoke the words out loud, only she knew the violent struggle tearing through her mind.

She wasn't fully healed.

"And..."

Stella paused, adding, "The internet is tearing the Gates family apart. My past will only drag you down into the abyss. It's terrible for your family."

"I see." Roger listened quietly until she finished, then asked in a low voice, "So, you do have feelings for me, but you're just worried about the collateral damage. Right?"

Right?

Was it?

Stella's head spun. She opened her mouth but had no idea how to answer.

"Why not give me a chance, and give yourself one too?"

Roger held her tighter, his expression turning serious. "Do other people's opinions really matter that much?"

She hesitated.

Stella bit her lip, lost in thought.

"Stella..." Roger paused for a few seconds, a faint smile touching his lips. He murmured, "A lifetime is so short. We have to live for ourselves."

"What's more, everyone in the family adores you. No one cares about your past. From the very beginning, you've been the only one trapped in those memories."

She looked down.

Stella's hands slowly clenched into fists.

"If those memories are awful, let's create beautiful ones together. Okay?"

Roger found her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. His voice was husky. "Stella, let's give it a try."

"Let me prove to you that being with me won't negatively impact the Gates family in any way."

"Being with me means no one will ever bully you again."

"Your past, your present, your future—I want all of it."

He meant every word.

Roger's confession hit her heart like a heavy hammer, striking over and over again.

Her pulse hammered wildly, completely thrown off rhythm by his words.

"No."

Stella quickly denied it, terrified he might misunderstand. Meeting his expectant gaze, her voice gradually softened. "I'm not rejecting you."

"So..." Roger lowered his head to meet her at eye level, his tone incredibly soft. "You focus on your mental health, and I'll focus on my hand. When we're both healed, we'll be together. Deal?"

She was torn.

Stella bit her lip, desperately fighting the demons deep within her mind.

Roger didn't push her too hard.

As long as she took the first step, everything else...

Remembering his master plan, a wicked smirk tugged at the corner of the man's mouth.

Just as Stella's heart was drumming frantically against her ribs, Samantha's voice suddenly echoed from outside the door.

"Stella, honey, it's fine."

"If you don't say yes, it just means Roger isn't good enough."

"If he loses his future wife, we'll just break one of his legs."

Stella was utterly speechless.