Part 2A Love Against the Stars

After leaving the garage, I quickly met the buyer and got the money for Annie's cremation. By the time I carried her ashes home, night had fallen.

Stella wasn't there. But for the first time in months, she sent me a message, telling me she was staying at the hospital to take care of Leo because his leg was hurting too much. The last time she’d bothered to tell me her whereabouts was ages ago.

For the first time, I didn't feel a pang of jealousy or demand compensation. I just opened my work software and submitted my resignation.

It sat there, pending approval.

I put my phone down and ignored it. With only two days left, I needed to pack. I’d go to the office tomorrow to tie up loose ends.

Seven years of my life, condensed into a single 20-inch suitcase.

The next morning, I was still asleep when a sharp knock woke me. It was Stella's assistant. She saw the packed suitcase and paused. "Mr. Hayes, are you going on a trip?"

"Yes."

She didn't press further. "Ms. Marshall would like you to come with me."

I wanted to refuse, but the bodyguards behind her made it clear it wasn't a request.

Our destination was a bridal boutique.

Stella greeted me with a beaming smile, pulling me into a fitting room. She held up a custom-tailored suit and began to dress me, her head bowed as she fastened my tie. Looking down at the top of her head, I felt a strange sense of detachment.

To make her "setup" convincing, she had maintained a physical distance from me, claiming she had to fool herself before she could fool others.

As she fastened my cufflinks, she suddenly stopped. "Where's your watch?"

Before I could answer, she chuckled lightly. "Oh, right. You probably put it back in its box for safekeeping."

"My handsome Owen looks so dashing in a suit like this!" she cooed. "I've already had our wedding designed. It's a seaside ceremony, just like you always wanted, with a flower arch for Annie. She can be our flower girl, how does that sound?"

Her words were soft and gentle, but they pierced my ears like needles. I clenched my fists, remembering Annie's last moments, her tear-filled eyes as she asked me, "Brother, why hasn't sister-in-law come to save me yet?"

I remembered how Stella used to adore Annie, fussing over her health, telling her bedtime stories for hours without a hint of fatigue.

Marrying Stella had once been my ultimate dream.

A dream that would now never come true.

"Stella, the wedding—"

She smiled sweetly, placing a finger on my lips. "Our plan is almost complete. Tomorrow is Leo's birthday. I'm going to announce his termination in front of everyone. The house, the car—all of it will be reclaimed through legal action. He’s gotten used to a life of luxury; he won't even eat at a restaurant that isn't five-star. I can't wait to see what he does when he has nothing, when anyone can step on him. Let's see him try to 'rectify the workplace' then!"