Our Journey Back To Love
Chapter 12

Chapter 1

Stella was strapped for cash. All she needed was money.

Everyone froze and stared at Stella. With a smile, she quipped, “What’s the matter? A rich lady like you can’t even spare cash for medical expenses?”

Unable to resist the taunt, Carrie lifted her chin and retorted, “Who says I can’t spare the cash? How much do you want?”

*50 thousand dollars. Stella, fearing that Carrie might retract her offer, quickly opened her payment code to accept the payment.

Carrie scanned the code on her phone and confirmed, “Payment done. Take a look so you won’t accuse

me of owing you money later.”

“Received,” Stella acknowledged as she saw the money credited to her account. It was worthwhile to

endure a couple of slaps for that sizable sum.

The atmosphere grew tense immediately, Brian’s expression turned icy as he observed Stella collecting

the money.

Sensing the tension, Stella decided it was best to leave promptly after taking the money. Brian’s face

darkened further as he followed her.

Feeling bewildered, Stella wondered if she had somehow offended him. She gently touched her face to pease the numbing pain from the slaps earlier.

When Stella exited Nas Group, she noticed Brian’s car parked outside. Why was he still here? She would

never think that Brian was waiting for her

年

After getting off the elevator, Stella tried to hail a taxi.

“Where do you think you’re going in this state?” Brian walked over, grabbed Stella’s hand and pushed her

into the car.

Stella agreed she was in a mess as she stared at her dress stained with coffee. Hence, she accepted his gesture and got into the car. Returning to Yolvencrest Estate with him seemed like the logical choice, especially since she needed to gather her belongings before departing.

Brian and Stella remained silent during the drive. The latter leaned against her seat and watched the landscape retreat outside the window. Suddenly, Brian broke the silence with a command, “Stop the car.”

Stella, puzzled, turned to see him unfastening his seatbelt and stepping out into the night. His tall and imposing figure silhouetted against the darkness.

In that moment, memories flooded back of their initial encounter. Stella, just twenty at the time, had been. captivated by Brian’s entrance as he descended the spiral staircase. Clad in a tailored suit, his handsome features illuminated by crystal lights, he exuded an air of sophistication and allure.

It was then that Stella experienced the true meaning of “love at first sight“. Subsequently, she had painted

numerous portraits of him, hiding them away in her room. However, one day her father stumbled upon them, prompting a candid conversation.

Blushing, Stella admitted her affection for Brian. Simon posed a surprising question in return. “Stella, if

Brian were to propose to you, would you accept?”

Taken aback by the inquiry, Stella dismissed it. “Dad, what are you talking about? I’m only twenty years old. I’m still young.”

“Foolish girl. I’m trying to fulfill your wish.” But Simon’s response hinted at a deeper significance, one that Stella couldn’t fully comprehend at the time.

Shortly after, they attended Brian’s birthday party.

Stella had been accompanied by her father, who had encouraged her to drink a few strong shots. Consequently, she had felt dizzy and disoriented. When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying naked in bed with Brian.

Simon, along with some journalists, had then abruptly entered the room. The elders from the Foley family

had also joined them. Upon witnessing the scene, Alfred Foley, who was a traditionalist, insisted that they

got married.

Brian had seethed with fury after the day’s encounter.

As Stella came back to her senses, her gaze shifted outside. She saw Brian emerging from the pharmacy.

His demeanor was cold, reminiscent of his expression when they married two years ago.

Stella’s heart ached with sadness. Perhaps Brian had resented her family since then, blaming them for

orchestrating his marriage to someone he didn’t love.

Brian got into his car after crossing the street. When he noticed Stella’s expression, he raised an eyebrow. “What? Am I so stunning that I’ve left you speechless?

Startled, Stella snapped out of her thoughts. Before she could lower her head, Brian grabbed her chin and

turned her face to inspect the finger marks on her cheek.

“Serves you right,” Brian muttered.

Stella was on the brink of exploding. “You think I deserved to be beaten for no reason?”

“If you

allowed yourself to be beaten like this without fighting back, then yes.”

Stella hesitated before protesting, “But I fought back! There were too many of them and they were all from wealthy families. I’m just a fallen socialite. What chance did I have against them?”

“You should have fought back regardless. I’d like to see who would dare to hold you accountable,” Brian replied.

Stella couldn’t comprehend his intentions. Was he trying to protect her? She stole another glance at him.

Brian maintained a stoic expression as

Brian maintained a stoic expression as he lifted Stella’s chin and uncapped a tube of medicine to apply on her face. The cool relief eased the burning sensation on her cheeks.

Stella found his behavior perplexing. Despite his constant complaints about her family and apparent

disdain for her, he treated her fairly well.

There was a p

period after their marriage when Brian was surprisingly gentle toward her. About six months into their marriage, Stella grew tired of maintaining their superficial facade and began waiting for him in the hallway. Whenever she spotted him, she would poke her head out and affectionately call him “Bril”

At such times, Brian would sternly correct her, “Don’t call me Bri.”

Stella would laugh and teased, “Okay, Bri!”

Despite her promises to change, Stella persisted in her behavior. She would cling to him and address him

as “Bri” to seek his attention.

Eventually, Brian stopped resisting Stella. When he noticed her lack of suitable attire, he even provided

her with a credit card to purchase clothing.

Stella was overjoyed and twirled around happily. “Thank you, Bri!”

Her cheeks flushed, her large eyes flickering shyly yet boldly in his direction. Brian maintained a stern expression as he warned, “Stop giving me that look.”

Undeterred by Brian’s reprimands, Stella persisted with her playful acts. Eventually, she even flirted with him and deliberately donned revealing attire. But Brian proved elusive. Despite her best efforts to

seduce him, he remained unmoved.

It wasn’t until that particular night when she pleaded with him to purchase the villa in Tarovian Terraces that Brian finally accepted her for the first time. From then on, he treated her rather well.

Suddenly, camera lights flashed before her. “Did you see him? It’s Brian Foley, the CEO of Foley Group!”

“He’s got a woman in his car!”

“It doesn’t look like Jessica. Quick, snap a photo. This is headline–worthy!”

Upon hearing these words, Stella was startled and instinctively called out, “Bri!”

“Hmm,” Brian responded calmly, then swiftly pulled her into his arms and crouched under the seat.

“Mike, step on it.”

“Yes!” The car then sped up.

Stella’s heart raced as she nestled in Brian’s embrace. She was too frightened to peek outside. ‘Did we

lose the paparazzi?”

“No, they’re still tailing us. Stay still,” Brian instructed, pressing her head down.

Stella didn’t dare to raise her head. Yet, she felt uneasy

Brian was too close, with his breath brushing against her neck and his arm encircling her waist. What was even stranger was that his body temperature was seemingly rising.

Stella involuntarily tensed up and attempted to shift her position. “Are we safe now?”

ke

“Brian in a low see the carpe casually made contact with han canning Stellar cheeks to bum with enhancement

Farting fustered Stelle repeated Have we that the pagora e glisted with sweat

There was an undeniabile chemistry between them