Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Why had Yorick come all the way to Ferrowland?

Sure, part of it was to find Stella. But deep down, he still couldn't accept it. He couldn't just stand by and watch her marry Ronald.

And honestly? He'd needed to get away from all the chaos back in Portis City.

The Quarry family was a mess these days.

His father, Thane Quarry, had shifted all his attention to Hogan. Yorick's mother was still stuck in the hospital, but Thane barely bothered to visit her anymore.

The sudden appearance of that man had shattered whatever peace the Quarry family had left-gone overnight.

"So this is my punishment, huh?" Yorick finally managed, his voice tight and strained.

Stella didn't even flinch. "Sorry, but I don't have time for revenge. You're in this mess because you spent all your energy chasing love, not learning how to handle real life."

Yorick was speechless-literally.

Stella kept going. "Do you know why you're so easily knocked down? Because you're too full of yourself, Yorick."

If words could kill, this was it.

Back in Portis City, Yorick had been untouchable. People said he'd taken the Quarry Group to new heights. Sure, in that little city, he was a big deal. But what about outside? Once he left Portis City, who was he, really?

Stella's words stabbed at him, each one sharper than the last. "Do you have to humiliate me right now?" he asked, barely holding it together.

"Humiliate?" Stella actually laughed. "You think I'm humiliating you?"

She rolled her eyes, as if Yorick's understanding was just pathetic.

She leaned in, voice icy. "If you'd put even half the effort into the Quarry Group that you wasted pining after Ursula, Hogan wouldn't have replaced you so easily -not even like swapping out the family dog."

Yorick felt the word "dog" hit him like a brick to the head. His mind went blank.

"You're calling me a dog?" he choked out.

This woman. Back in Portis City, she always acted like she was the victim, sharp- tongued and impossible. But even here in Ferrowland, she hadn't changed a bit.

Sitting up in bed, Stella grabbed her mug of coffee, took a sip, and snorted. "No. I'm saying you're not even as loyal as a dog."

Yorick could only stare, stunned.

Why couldn't he get her out of his head? Why did every word she said stick with him-cut so deep?noveldrama

Before Stella could unleash another zinger, someone knocked on the door. Yvonne's voice came through, brisk and impatient.

"Star, you can't stay in bed any longer. We're gonna be late!"

"Coming!" Stella called back, then promptly hung up on Yorick.

Yvonne, satisfied with the reply, pushed open the door. "Who were you talking to?"

"Yorick," Stella replied, already blocking his number.

Seriously, what was it with these Portis City people? They were so desperate to reach her, they'd even started using local numbers.

Yvonne's face soured at the name. "Why are you still talking to him?"

As far as Yvonne was concerned, the Quarry family and the Larkin family were dead to them. No contact, no exceptions.

"I'll set up a firewall for you," Yvonne huffed. "Any Portis City number calls, it'll get blocked. Let's see how they try to bug you then."

Stella shook her head. "Doesn't help. Jaxon and Yorick both called me today with Ferrowland numbers."

Yvonne's frown deepened. "The Larkin family, too? What do they want now?"

She was genuinely angry. The Quarry family was bad enough, with that ex-fiancé who clearly didn't know when to quit. But if the Larkin family started harassing Stella, that was just disgusting.

Stella shrugged. "They want to make amends. Or at least pretend to."

It wasn't sincere. It never was. The minute their wishes weren't met, that apology would turn nasty.

That was the Larkin family for you always two-faced.

"Make amends? Are you kidding me?" Yvonne scoffed. "They're the ones who tossed you aside. Now they want you back? What's the point?"

First, they'd chosen the adopted daughter over Stella. Now, when it turned out the adopted one was a disaster, they suddenly wanted their real daughter back?

Some people really would go whichever way the wind blew.