Chapter 5

Stella's POV

Chase glared at me, his eyes dark with fury. "You didn't know I got into a crash and ended up in the hospital?"

"I knew," I said, my voice flat.

Chase's pupils flared, looking like an animal backed into a corner. "You knew? You knew, and you didn't check on me once? Not a single call, not even a text?"

"Isn't that what you always wanted?" I looked at him evenly. "You hate me meddling in your life. From now on, I won't touch a single thing that involves you. I don't care, and I won't bother you. Shouldn't you be thrilled?"

This was the freedom he had begged for all these years. He had spent every waking moment trying to shake me off.

"Stella, what the hell is this game?"

Chase closed the distance between us, his tall frame casting a heavy shadow over me.

"Chloe and I blow up the news, and you don't say a word. I nearly die in a crash, and you act like you didn't see it. Now you're claiming you'll never meddle again? You think playing hard to get is going to grab my attention? Let me tell you right now—it won't!"

Exhaustion settled heavy in my bones. I was about to tell him he had it all wrong when a soft voice drifted in from the doorway.

"Chase."

We both turned our heads to see Chloe standing there.

Her eyes drifted between the two of us before landing squarely on me. "Stella, if you're angry, take it out on me. Please don't fight with Chase right now—he hasn't recovered from his injuries."

As she spoke, Chloe's eyes welled with tears, a stray drop tracing down her cheek in a display of pure guilt and remorse.

"Chase's crash is entirely my fault. If I hadn't whined about wanting that stupid prize, he wouldn't have risked his life on the Death Run... Stella, I know you despise me. I know you've always wanted Chase to cut me off. Once you two are married, I'll disappear. I'll stay far away and never show my face near him again. All I ask is that while he's recovering, you treat him a little better. Just show him some care."

"What kind of nonsense are you talking?" Chase's expression twisted. He strode over and pulled Chloe tightly against his chest. "Everyone knows how much I hate her, Chloe. You think you need to tell me that? I don't need a damn thing from her. And even if I marry her, I'm never cutting you off."

Chase brushed away the tears on Chloe's cheek with his thumb, his tone instantly softening. "Don't cry. You're breaking my heart."

Chloe rested against his chest, sniffling softly. "Let's not talk about that right now. What matters is that you go back to the hospital and rest. Come back with me, okay?"

Chase frowned. "I'm not setting foot in that hospital again. I hate being cooped up there. The Millers have private doctors anyway—I'll just have them come here. I'm recovering at home."

He paused, glancing over at me with a look of pure defiance. "Aren't you supposed to be so generous and above it all now? Fine. Go set up a guest room for Chloe. While I'm recovering, I want her by my side every single day."

I gave a simple nod. "All right."

I turned and walked downstairs, passing right by them without sparing either of them a glance.

It was as if they were made of thin air.

That evening, Chloe moved into the villa.

I set her up in the most spacious guest room on the second floor and instructed the staff to bring fresh toiletries and clothes.

I handled every detail with seamless efficiency, my face showing not a flicker of resentment.

Downstairs on the living room sofa, Chase went out of his way to put on a show of intimacy with Chloe right in front of me.

At dinner, he ate food she held up to his lips; while watching TV, Chloe rested her head on his shoulder, chatting away as if no one else existed.

They wrapped arms around each other's waists, touched each other's hair, and whispered close into each other's ears.

Every now and then, Chase would dart a glance in my direction, waiting to catch a reaction.

I acted as though I didn't see a thing. I didn't even blink, looking entirely detached, as if they were just two complete strangers passing through.

Isn't this what he wanted all along?

I wasn't managing him, I wasn't nagging him, and I wasn't clinging to him like glue anymore.

Later that night, deep in my sleep, the bedroom door was kicked open once again.

Chase stood in the doorway, his eyes dark with venom. "Stella, you finally dropped the act, didn't you? You're resorting to this kind of sick bullshit now?"