Chapter 5

Stella Hart POV

I went to the hospital alone.

After examining me, the doctor said it was severe soft tissue contusion and I needed bed rest. He also prescribed me a pile of medication.

Walking out of the hospital entrance, the cold wind hit me and I couldn't help shivering.

My phone vibrated. It was a text from Adrian.

He wasn't asking about my injury. He sent me a bill.

"Isabella's hand needed three stitches. The doctor said she can't get it wet. Her medical expenses, nutrition costs, and other losses from this injury during this period will be deducted from your salary. Also, publicly apologize to Isabella in the group chat."

Looking at the words on the screen, I found it absurd beyond belief.

I opened the group chat that had become "One Happy Family."

Ethan had sent a voice message in it. "Isabella, don't be afraid. With us here, no one can bully you. Whatever compensation you want, just ask."

Isabella replied with a wronged emoji. "I don't want anything. I just want Stella to stop hating me."

Adrian immediately transferred her money. "Take this and buy something you like to eat."

I quietly watched them perform in the group, my fingers typing out a sentence on the screen.

"I'll pay the medical expenses. But I will never apologize."

After sending this message, I muted the group chat.

Returning home, I started packing.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack. This house was filled with traces left by Ethan and Adrian everywhere.

The painting on the wall was something Adrian bought at a high price at an auction. The carpet was specially air-freighted from Turkey by Ethan. Even the mugs in the kitchen were ones the three of us made together at a pottery studio.

I found a large garbage bag and threw these things in one by one.

At the very end, I found a velvet box in the deepest part of the drawer.

Inside were two wills.

They were written when they were twenty-two, after they encountered an avalanche in Switzerland and narrowly escaped death.

Ethan and Adrian wrote clearly in the wills: If anything happened to them, all their property and shares would unconditionally be inherited by me.

"We are Stella's knights. Even if we die, we'll be Stella's guardian angels."

I still remembered those vows. Now they'd become the most ridiculous joke.

I took out a lighter and set those two wills on fire.

The flames lit up my face. I watched the paper turn to ash, along with my ten years of youth and feelings, burning completely clean.

Three days until leaving the country.

The next day, I went to the law firm and signed the equity transfer agreement.

The lawyer looked at my pale face and couldn't help advising, "Miss Hart, won't you reconsider? Once this agreement takes effect, you'll truly have nothing left at the studio."

"Nothing to reconsider." I put down the pen, my tone as light as discussing the weather. "Please help me mail this agreement to Ethan Reid and Adrian Cross three days from now."

Three days from now was the day I'd fly to Milan, and also the opening day of the Paris Fashion Week main show.

Leaving the law firm, I received a call from Ethan.

"What was that you posted in the group last night?" Ethan's voice was thick with exhaustion and displeasure. "Stella Hart, do you think we won't actually hurt you? Because of what you said, Isabella cried all night. She couldn't even take her sleeping pills!"

I stood on the street, watching the passing vehicles, my voice cold. "How is her crying related to me?"

"You-" Ethan took a deep breath, seemingly forcing down his anger. "Fine, you won't apologize? Then starting today, the studio is cutting off all your resources and access. You think you're so great? Let's see how you survive in this industry without the studio!"

I laughed.

"Fine."

I hung up and blocked Ethan's number too.

Returning to my apartment, I found the door lock password had been changed.

I tried three times. All incorrect.

Just then, the door opened from inside. Isabella, wearing my pajamas, held a glass of red wine and smiled at me.

"Stella, you're back." Isabella swirled her wine glass. "Ethan said you've been emotionally unstable lately and was worried something might happen if you lived alone, so he had me move in to keep you company. I changed the password to my birthday. You don't mind, do you?"

I looked at Isabella wearing that limited edition pajama set I'd never worn, my eyes cold to the extreme.

"Take it off."

Isabella froze, then bit her lip pitifully. "Stella, don't be so mean. Adrian got this from your closet for me. He said you never wear it anyway..."

"I said take it off!" I stepped forward, my eyes as sharp as knives.

Isabella stepped back in fear, deliberately tilting her wine glass so the red liquid instantly splashed onto my white shirt.

"Oh no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Isabella cried out.

Just then, the elevator doors opened. Adrian came out carrying a bunch of things.

He dropped everything and rushed over. He pushed Isabella behind him and slapped me.

Smack!

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the hallway.

My head snapped to the side. Blood trickled from my lip.

"Stella, what the hell is wrong with you?" Adrian's eyes were wild, like an animal backed into a corner. "Isabella just came to check on you, and you hurt her? You really think I won't hit you?"