The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 105

After a pause, Stella watched Suzie’s expression carefully and asked softly, “You feel sorry for him, don’t you?”

Suzie met her gaze, her mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.

Seeing her friend’s melancholic look, Stella spoke with heartfelt earnestness. “Suzie, after all the terrible things he’s done to you… To put it bluntly, even if he died, you shouldn’t go to his funeral. I know that sounds harsh, but think about it. In the two years you were married to him, what did he ever give you? Warmth? Love? A fortune to spend as you please?”

Suzie’s brow furrowed as she answered quietly, “I know all that, Stella. When he asked for a divorce, I was already done emotionally. I just wanted us to go our separate ways and live our own lives. But I cursed him… and now seeing him like this…”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Stella interrupted, her tone seemingly scolding but actually meant to soothe. “If curses actually worked, people would settle everything by throwing curses instead of punches.”

Suzie stared blankly at her now-lukewarm meal.

“Are you listening to me, Suzie? What happened to him has nothing to do with you. And don’t listen to that Aaron’s nonsense. He’s Jamie’s assistant, of course he’s going to defend him. I’ll break it all down for you later.”

Stella took Suzie’s plate, reheated the food in the kitchen, and returned to the table. “You were obsessed with him in college, and you got your wish to marry him. On the surface, it should have been a beautiful thing. But have you ever seriously considered why he married you? Like I said before, do you really think he’d sacrifice his own happiness just to please his grandfather? That doesn’t sound like him at all.”

Suzie cleared her throat and said cheerfully, “Happy birthday to our beautiful and kind Stella.”

If Oliver’s parents hadn’t been attacked, she could have given Stella a wonderful birthday. But fate had other plans. Still, Suzie felt it was important to mark the occasion.

Stella slowly rose from her chair, her eyes shimmering with tears.

“Suzie… thank you,” she whispered. “My parents died a long time ago, but I’m so lucky to have two amazing friends like you and Oliver.”