My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 102: I Only Believe You

Worrying about what other people think of you is the beginning of a miserable life.

That was what Ariana Grant had once told her.

Unfortunately, back then, Stella Sterling had been completely focused on winning back her family’s affection, terrified that the slightest misstep would displease them.

So she never dared to do anything.

But despite all that, she still hadn’t gotten what she wanted.

So Stella had it all figured out now. She couldn’t care less what other people thought, or how they saw her.

All she wanted was for Kiana to pay for everything she had done.

Truthfully, the headbutt she’d just given Kiana was nowhere near enough to repay the suffering she’d endured tonight. But she was injured and couldn’t put her all into it, so she decided she’d make up for it next time.

Besides, while she wasn’t sure how much damage it actually caused, its shock value was certainly more than enough.

If Yolanda Thorne thought she was crazy, all the better. Maybe then her ’precious son’ and ’darling daughter-in-law’ would stay far away and stop looking for trouble.

Stella was getting seriously annoyed. Kiana was always brazenly getting in her face.

’She’s taken a few beatings from me already, why can’t she learn her lesson?’

And then there was the revolting way Ethan Rhodes acted today. Just thinking about it made Stella’s skin crawl with goosebumps.

Just then, the thought made her shudder violently, even though she was just walking along.

Confused, Owen Rhodes looked at her. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, it’s just that I thought of Ethan Rhodes calling me ’Stella,’ and it’s disgusting. See? I’m covered in goosebumps."

As she spoke, Stella kindly lifted her arm to show Owen the goosebumps prickling on her forearm.

Owen glanced down, and the gloom that had plagued him in the car—a product of his own overthinking—instantly dissipated.

Stella squeezed his hand and asked uncertainly, "Owen, from the way Ethan was acting... you don’t think that fall tonight actually knocked his memories back, do you?"

"It’s possible."

Owen studied her, his expression unreadable. "If Ethan has recovered his memory, what’s your plan?"

Stella answered without a second thought. "What does that have to do with me?"

’Even if Ethan regained his memory now, I’m Owen’s wife, and he’s Kiana’s fiancé.’

"Oh, wait. I guess there is one thing."

Owen froze for a second, just as Stella continued, "I’ll be a proper Auntie. If his parents can’t raise him right, then they can’t blame me for taking matters into my own hands."

She punctuated this with two smug humphs.

The corners of Owen’s mouth turned up unconsciously. "But you told him and Kiana to stay far away from you tonight."

"You’re right. What a shame."

’Was it, though?’

Her expression showed no hint of shame; in fact, she seemed to be reveling in the idea.

Recalling her behavior in the hospital room, Stella suddenly grew cautious.

Once they were in the car, Stella kept stealing glances at him.

Owen noticed. Finally, after her seventh peek, he asked, "Is there something you want to say?"

Stella pursed her lips. "Owen... do you think I was... too violent tonight?"

Seeing her conflicted expression, Owen reached out and ruffled her hair.

’Right after they’d left the hospital room, Owen had the distinct feeling that if he hadn’t been holding her hand, she would have been skipping with joy.’

’Though her methods seemed childish to him, Stella had never done anything so outrageous in her life, so a little unease was understandable.’

So Owen said, "Do what you want. I’ll be here if anything goes wrong."

Stella’s fluttering heart immediately settled.

’It was strange. She always seemed to be so easily calmed by Owen, as if he were some kind of miracle cure.’

Stella then thought back to the lies Kiana had told when she tried to frame her.

She hadn’t been able to explain at the time. And while she didn’t think Owen would believe Kiana, she still wanted to clear the air with him.

"Owen, what Kiana said wasn’t true. I never told her to stay away from Ethan or anything like that. She made it all up. I don’t like Ethan anymore, I swear."

Owen turned to look at her. Seeing her earnest expression, he felt his heart melt.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, carefully drawing her into his embrace, then pressed a gentle kiss to her rosy lips. "I know. I don’t believe her. I only believe you."

’Stella felt like she was floating again.’

After such a chaotic evening, by the time the car pulled up to the villa at Lanthos Bay, Stella was already fast asleep.

Owen carefully carried her out of the car and all the way back to their room.

Once Stella was settled in bed, Owen went to the study by himself.

He lit a cigarette, a rare indulgence. Through the swirling smoke, he stared out the darkened window, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

「The next day.」

When Stella woke up, Owen was nowhere to be seen.

She was used to it by now, though, so she got up and started her morning routine.

When she walked into the bathroom, she found her toothbrush already prepped with toothpaste and set aside. Her face wash, which usually required two hands to squeeze, now had a key-style tube squeezer attached to the end, making it easy for her to use one-handed. There was also a new foaming net in the toiletries caddy.

It was obvious that Owen had prepared it all for her.

A warmth spread through Stella’s heart. She wondered when he’d had the time to do all this.

「That afternoon.」

Ken personally made a trip to Lanthos Bay.

Vantage Entertainment had moved quickly. Shortly after the NDA was signed, Ken had gotten his hands on the demo for Zion Shawcross’s new album.

To maintain security, it wasn’t wise to send the demo over the network, so Ken had brought it over on a USB drive himself.

The last time Stella had seen Ken was in Lumina.

Back then, she had been in a foul mood, her sleep schedule completely flipped, and she’d developed a habit of working on her drafts in the dead of night.

Whenever she had artist’s block, she’d want someone to talk to, and Ken was usually the victim of her late-night chats.

The young man, clad in athleisure wear and a white baseball cap, looked positively brimming with energy.

Mr. Joel greeted him as he opened the door. "Good afternoon, sir. Madam is waiting for you in the living room."

Ken’s jaw dropped. "Wow, Stella’s really hit the big time! Living the high life now, huh?"

So, the moment he spotted the figure on the sofa, without even seeing a face, he hollered, "Stella! Don’t forget your friends now that you’re rich and famous!"

The next second, he saw Stella’s arm in a sling across her chest, and Ken let out a piercing shriek. "AHH!!! My lady!!! WHO!!! WHO HURT YOUR MONEYMAKER?!"

Stella wanted to cover her ears, but alas, she only had one good hand.

She gave him a deadpan look. "Open those things you use for decoration and take a good look. It’s my left hand that’s injured."

"Oh. Never mind then."