Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Did she think Lottie was running a charity or something?

When Lottie mentioned Dan, a flicker of concern crossed Stella's eyes.

That man had occupied a space in Yvonne's heart for so many years.

Back then, she nearly lost her mind over him...

Yvonne seemed fine now, but who knew what she was really going through inside?

Maybe the more you pretend everything's okay, the more you're hiding.

...noveldrama

Ronald came back from his errands to find Stella exhausted, sitting on the couch still in her wedding dress.

A maid handed her a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. "Miss, have some juice and take a break."

Stella nodded. "Thanks."

She usually liked the taste of orange juice, but today it tasted off.

After a couple of sips, she handed it back.

"What's wrong, miss? Did we make it too strong today?" the maid inquired.

Stella shook her head. "I just don't feel like drinking it. It tastes weird."

Pregnant women often have heightened senses of taste and smell. What used to be a perfectly fine glass of juice now had a strange flavor to her.

When Ronald returned, the maid greeted him with respect, "Sir."

Ronald waved her away, signaling everyone else who'd been helping Stella with her dress to leave as well.

Left alone with Stella, he sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms.

"Tired?" he asked.

Nestling into him, Stella found a comfortable spot. "Yeah. How come you're back so soon?"

"Finished up early. Where's Mom?" he replied.

"Got a call and left in a hurry. She was supposed to help me with the dress but got busy."

Everyone in the family seemed so busy all the time, except her. She felt like she was just there to eat and relax.

She had been, and still was.

Ronald ruffled her hair, and Stella

closer. "Do we really havet

marry that scoundrel,

"Why?" she questioned, still puzzled by the change of plans.

To her, Xander was nothing but trouble.

Ronald sighed. "He's got some issues right now, and Yvonne's helping out."

"What kind of issues?"

Stella didn't quite get it. Forced

marriages were unheard of in the Schultz family. After all, three years ago, the Quinn family had a major fallout, which affected the Schultz family too.

During that time, Xander almost severed ties with the Schultz family. To this day, he hadn't visited once, and Qld Mr. Schultz, Samuel, acted like he didn't have a son named Xander.

So, the idea of rushing into marriage seemed out of the question for the Schultz family.

"Enough questions," Ronald said. "Let them handle it."

Stella pouted. "What do you mean 'enough'? I'm not a kid anymore, and I'm having your baby!"

He still treated her like a child.

Well, three years ago when she left, she might have been one in his eyes.

Her whole life, the Lugar family had shielded her so well.

Everyone still saw her as a kid, so naturally, she wasn't involved in important decisions.

Listening to her playful grumbling, Ronald chuckled. "Alright, alright, you're all grown up, soon-to-be mom."

"Then stop calling me a kid," Stella retorted with a huff.

Amused by her pouty face, Ronald affectionately pinched her nose. "Want to keep trying on dresses?"

She shook her head. "No way, I'm exhausted."

Trying on dresses could wear a person out!

"Then change out of it. Let's head over to Grandma's for dinner," Ronald suggested.

"Back to the Lugar family house?"

"Yep," he nodded.

A smile spread across Stella's face. She missed her grandma and grandpa.