Our Journey Back To Love
Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Joseph found the entire situation surreal. Brian had definitely scolded Stella earlier. There was no other explanation for Stella’s behavior after the word “lesson” came about.

Joseph clicked his tongue lightly before advising Brian gently, “Brian, you should be gentle with women, not berate them harshly. You’re truly… You’re great in every aspect.”

“You’re good–looking and capable. However, you’re so rigid when it comes to women. Stella’s your wife, not your subordinate. How could you be so harsh toward her?”

“She wouldn’t listen otherwise, Brian responded blandly and shot Stella a look. The look held a hidden meaning only Stella could decipher.

Stella nearly choked on her juice.

What on Earth were they going on about? Were they even having the same conversation?

Joseph had no idea how to respond. He had no idea Brian would be so merciless toward women. He glanced at Stella with pity. “Stella, you’ve got it rough.”

Stella grumbled with a pout, “You have no idea. With a personality like his, anyone would be having problems talking to him.”

“That’s right!” Joseph agreed to her words readily. After a while, he became worried that Stella would be bored. So, he invited her to play some cards.

“Stella, why don’t we have some fun?”

Stella didn’t want to stay with Brian. Hence, she didn’t hesitate to agree, saying, “Sure.”

She rose to her feet and followed Joseph.

Some of them were playing a round of poker. A gathering for men like them tended to end with at least a

few rounds of poker.

Joseph chased two of them away and pulled out a chair for Stella.

Bernard was also there. When he saw them making themselves comfortable, he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he pressed a button, probing the machine into shuffling the cards.

“Stella, do you know how to play?” Joseph inquired.

Stella nodded her head lightly and replied, “I used to play with my family over the New Year’s.”

Everyone fell silent upon the mention of her father.

They were all aware that Simon had forced Brian to marry Stella. In the beginning, everyone felt really bad for Brian. This was especially so for Joseph and Bernard, who were his best friends.

Still, Joseph quickly rectified his line of thought after noticing that Brian didn’t seem all that put out by the marriage. Instead, he would always bring Stella for a checkup. Joseph had seen the marks dotting her

skin and could draw his own conclusions.

Plus, Brian would even request Joseph to prescribe them some cream for the bruises.

Joseph knew right then and there that Brian was far from living a tortured life. If anything, he was having the time of his life with his married life.

The bruises marring Stella’s skin were more than enough proof.

Therefore, he ceased regarding Stella with hostile lenses. If he had to choose who was suffering, Stella would be his pick due to how rough Brian could get.

After a beat, he smiled and cheered, “Let’s get started!”

He was trying his best to lighten the mood.

The others followed suit and started flipping through their cards.

Stella had the time.

o idea that they were gambling. She was merely playing around just to pass

She had just tossed one of her cards out when Bernard said, “Straight.”

Stella wordlessly stared at the cards, utterly lost.

Joseph snarked, “Bernard, are you doing this on purpose? Why didn’t you say anything when I pulled out a Three of a Kind?”

Bernard said blithely. “The card I wanted wasn’t there yet.

Stella had no words for this turn of events.

The second round had barely started when Bernard played Stella like a fiddle and declared, “Flush.”

Those were all diamonds, alright..

Joseph said in exasperation, “This is Stella’s first time meeting us. Can’t you be more of a gentleman? Don’t scare her away!”

Bernard retorted, “The game’s only fun if we take things seriously.”

None of them could replace anything amiss with his words

However, Stella could hear the double meaning behind his words. She turned to look at Joseph. “Are you guys gambling?”

“Of course.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s just pocket change.”

Stella was just about to heave a sigh of relief when she heard Joseph say, “It’s just 10 thousand dollars

per round.”

Stella stiffened upon hearing the total.

Bernard curled his lips into a smile and said, “Stella, you’ve lost 340 thousand dollars.”