Chapter 13

**Stella's POV**

"I love this one". Cathy said excitedly as Deborah shook her head.

"You are getting married in a church. This dress is too short". She said.

"Maybe you Can wear it during the reception". I suggested and she nodded.

"Yeah. I guess". She sighed as Deborah rolled her eyes. "So, I choose the first dress you showed us for the ceremony". She said and I nodded.

"Alright". I said taking notes. "I'll take care of everything myself". I said and she smiled big.

"Thank you". She said. "This is so exciting". She added standing up making me laugh. "But I have to go see my fiancé. So, I'll see you soon Stella". She said pulling me into a hug. "Thanks again". She whispered and I nodded.

"I'll go too. But we miss you and Jason. Bryan misses him so much. How about you come tomorrow?". Deborah asked slowly. I hesitated then nodded slowly.

"Alright".

"Great!". She hugged me. "So, see you tomorrow". I nodded smiling.

I sighed and looked at the time. Time to go pick Jason.

"Eva." I called. "I'm leaving. Don't forget to send the documents I told you about." I said.

"Yes, ma'am." She nodded as I walked out.

******

"Is daddy coming?". Jason asked walking in the living room.

"No baby". I answered putting my computer in the low table.

"Why?". He pouted climbing on the couch and sitting in my laps. "He didn't come in a long time". 

"He was here last week. And you know he travelled". I smiled wrapping my arms around him. "Do you miss him?". I asked and he nodded. "But he calls you every day". I chuckled.

"But he didn't today. Can I call him?". He asked. 

I chuckled taking my phone. I dialed the number and gave it to him when it started ringing.


He put on his ear and waited.

"Daddy?". He said making me smile. "Yes". He said smiling. "Good". He said as I could hear Hunter's voice on the other line but I didn't know what he was saying.

I continued looking at Jason as they continued talking for minutes. "She's right here". He suddenly said looking at me. "Want to talk to her?" He asked then handed me the phone. I shook my head and he put it back on his ear.

"I think she is mad at you". He said on the phone making my eyes widen.

What the hell?

"She said 'no'". He said then chuckled when Hunter said something else. "Okay". He nodded. "Love you too". He said then hung up. "He said you're going to get punished when he comes". He chuckled.

I shook my head. "Want to watch a movie?" I asked and he nodded.

"I'll pick one". He said jumping out of the couch.

"Be careful". I said standing up. "Do you want popcorn?". I asked walking out of the living room. 

"Yes please".

*******

I looked at Jason to see him fast asleep during the movie. I smiled and went to pick him up when I heard the doorbell ring. I frowned and laid him on the couch before walking to the door.

I opened it and my heart stopped when I looked at the person in front of me.

"Mom". I said cautiously.

I can't believe it.

"Stella". She said in a whisper. "Oh my god". She said looking at me with wide eyes. Her eyes watering, so were mine.

"Mom". I repeated and straightened up. "I-". I stopped, honestly not knowing what to say.

"I... I came to see you". She said slowly. "C... Can I come in?". She asked carefully.

I looked at her for a moment before nodding.

She walked in and I closed the door behind me. 

I asked her to follow me and she did. We walked in the living room and she gasped when she saw Jason sleeping on the couch.

"I... Is it your son?". She asked tears dropping from her eyes.

"Yes". I said softly wiping mine. "I was about to put him in bed when you came". I said walking up to him. I picked him up.

"I'll be right back". I said and walked out of the living room.

I walked in Jason's bedroom and put him in bed and left his room slowly.

Why is she back now? What about her husband? Why now? How did she know where I lived?

I walked in the living room to find her still standing there.

"Take a seat please". I said and she nodded sitting on the couch. "D... Do you want something to drink?". I asked and she shook her head.

"No Thank you". She said softly as I took a seat. She looked at me for a moment wiping her tears. I lowered my gaze looking at the carpet. "Honey". She said and my eyes watered again. "Baby. I'm so sorry". She said taking my hand in hers. "I couldn't let you live in this house with him". She cried. "I wanted to protect you. I didn't ask you to leave because I wanted to, believe me. You are my whole life". She said and I looked at her. "You have no idea what he could have done to you if you stayed with me". She cried even more. "I want you to understand. There's a lot of things you don't understand. A lot of things you don't know yet. But I had no other choice". 

I didn't even realize I was crying by now.

"You don't know what this man is capable of". She cried taking my other hand. "I couldn't let you stay. I couldn't". She shook her head crying. "You mean everything to me. I couldn't do anything at first but I saved money. I knew about you waiting to open your shop so I gave the money to Mr. James". She said and my eyes widened. "Yes. The investor that helped you with your shop. He is an old friend of your father. That's the only thing I could do". She said wiping my tears.


"I knew you were in good hands with Matt and Hannah. I wanted to be there for you but I couldn't. One day you will understand why".

I looked at her crying.

"Honey. I don't know when I will be able to see you again. But... I'm sorry". She said. "I'm so sorry".

I wrapped my arms around her. "I forgive you". I whispered as she tightened her hold around me.

"My baby". She cried. She pulled away slowly and whipped my tears again. "Don't tell anyone you saw me". She said seriously wiping her tears. "Not even Hunter". She said standing up.

I looked at her confused. "But why? When Will I see you again?". I asked standing up too.

"I don't know baby". She cried. "Promise me to be careful". She said hugging me. "And don't tell anyone you saw me. Please". She said. "I promise you will see me again". She said cupping my cheek and kissing my forehead. "I love you". She said and walked out of the living room. I stood there frozen and I heard the front door open and close.