Our Journey Back To Love
Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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“You’ve sparked a fire in me, and now you’re the one who has to put it out,” Brian declared, his actions showing no restraint as he drew closer.

Stella’s body trembled violently. She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her back. Her head sank into the pillow as he enveloped her from behind.

His kisses trailed down her spine, his breath hot against her skin. Beads of sweat formed on Stella’s nose. “You can’t do this. You have Jessica. Let me go.

Stella tried to push him away, but her efforts were futile Just then, she accidentally touched his sensitive part. Her face burned with embarrassment as she hissed, “Brian!”

“Behave yourself,” he scolded as he slapped her ass.

Stella tensed up. “Let me go!”

“You shall help me to extinguish the fire today, or you can’t leave this room,” Hearing Brian’s threats sent shivers down her spine.

Stella felt utterly miserable as she lay on the pillow. Brian had been with Jessica last night, and now he was tormenting her. Why was she in such a pitiful situation? Was she destined to marry Brian and become his outlet for frustration?

As she mulled over her thoughts, tears welled in her eyes. Just then, the door creaked open.

“Brian…”

It was Jessica. Startled by the scene inside, she covered her mouth before swiftly exiting the room.

Stella froze. Suddenly, she summoned all her strength and pushed Brian away forcefully. “Get out! Your woman is here. What do you think you’re doing?”

Brian stayed silent, his gaze fixed on her as he seemed to assess the situation.

Stella said firmly, “Go after her. Don’t let Jessica get upset and hurt the baby. And if she does, it’ll be my fault.”

Upon mentioning the child, Brian immediately rolled off Stella and chased after Jessica.

Stella was left alone in the room.

With a bitter smile, she was about to get out of bed when she noticed her bracelet had snapped. She picked it up and started reminiscing.

The bracelet was a gift from Brian on their anniversary last year.

Stella teased, “Bri, it’s been a year since we got married, and you’ve never given me a gift. Why don’t you

give me some jewelry?”

They then strolled into a jewelry store, and that’s when they got the bracelet.

Now, with the bracelet broken, it seemed to symbolize the end of their marriage.

Stella didn’t dwell on the matter further. She changed into fresh clothes and headed to the prison to see her father.

Dressed in the prison garb, Simon still exudes charisma, despite his imprisonment.

“How have you been, Dad?” Stella asked tearfully.

“Not bad,” Simon replied with a smile. He let out a light cough and quickly covered his mouth with his fist, hoping to keep it hidden from Stella and not cause her any concern.

However, Stella heard his cough and asked in concern, Dad, are you sick?”

“I’m just coughing a little lately. I’m fine, don’t worry. Why did you come to see me, Stellie? Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Dad, I want to divorce Brian,” Stella confessed, coming clean to her father about her decision.

Simon fell silent for a moment. “Brian hasn’t been treating you well?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just th

the person he likes has returned. It’s been two years, Dad. He hasn’t fallen in

love with me, and I don’t think he ever will.

Stella had decided to accept reality.

Simon asked, “Has he been abusive toward you?”

Stella shook her head. “No. He’s never hit me or insulted me.”

Simon nodded thoughtfully, then spoke after a brief pause. “Stellie, can you reconsider the divorce?”

“Why?” Stella couldn’t comprehend Simon’s advice. After all, she had endured an unhappy marriage and had no desire to tolerate it any longer.

Simon sighed. “He’s the only one in Sendoville who can protect you. I’ve made enemies in the past, but they’ve refrained from harming you out of respect for Brian, I fear that if you divorce, you might be in

danger. I’m stuck here, so I’m unable to protect you.”

Stella wore a sorrowful expression.

Simon continued, “Stellie, I know you’re miserable, but Brian can protect you. As long as he doesn’t ask for a divorce, you shouldn’t leave him. With the title of Mrs. Foley, no one would dare to hurt you. You can

get a divorce after I get out of prison. By then, I’ll be able to protect you.”

Although Stella was reluctant to comply, she didn’t want to add to her dad’s worries while he was

incarcerated.

Simon added, “Stellie, I know what you’re thinking. You might feel like your marriage isn’t happy and that you’re suffering. But right now, staying alive is more important than being happy. I can’t protect you while I’m here, but I hope you’ll live well.

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t love you or if he fails to come home. You can treat it as if you’re already

divorced. Lower your expectations of him; let him live his life, and you live yours. Treat him as a stranger. Well sort everything out once I get out.”

Stella was all Simon had left. With him behind bars, his beautiful daughter was left alone; he worried constantly about her future.

Stella understood her father’s intentions. He feared she would be bullied or treated like a plaything if left unprotected. If she stayed with Brian, he simply wouldn’t love her. If she divorced, many men might come knocking at her door.

Stella no longer entertained thoughts of divorce after speaking with Simon. She accepted her fate and prepared to embrace single life early.

As Stella left the prison, she wiped away her tears. Just then, she heard a honk. She looked up and saw a Cullinan parked across the street. Was Brian here to see her again after being with Jessica?

Stella felt a pang of sadness and turned to walk away. Even if she didn’t divorce, she wouldn’t want to interact with Brian anymore. Just as Simon said, she would treat him as a stranger.

Seeing Stella walk away, Brian’s expression darkened. He pushed open the car door and quickly caught up to her. “Stella,” he called out.Stella ignored him.

Brian had come to see her, though he wasn’t entirely sure why. Last night, Stella had mentioned visiting her father and had been crying so heartbreakingly. Brian found himself distracted the whole day and instinctively ordered Mike to bring him here.

“Why are you crying?” Brian asked, grabbing Stella’s hand and turning her to face him.

“It’s none of your business,” Stella muttered.

Brian’s expression darkened. “Grandpa called yesterday. He wants us to go back to the Foley residence tonight.” He could have just called her to convey the message, but something had driven him to come in

person.

“You should bring Jessica along.” Stella said coolly. She was aware of Sharon’s dislike for her and preferred to avoid any confrontation.

When Stella and Brian married, only Alfred had been kind to her; the rest of the family looked down on her, especially Sharon. She believed Brian had been manipulated into the marriage.

Sharon thought Brian could have married a woman from a prestigious family instead of being forced into marrying the daughter of a bankrupt family because of Simon’s tricks, That resentment had never waned.

So, even if Stella stayed married, she wouldn’t go back to the Foley residence. She didn’t see the point of being at a place where she wasn’t welcome.

“This may not got to do with your best friend,” Brian said.

wou, but it has