NovelEnglishNeville glanced at the couple not far away and chuckled softly. "I'll leave them to their own world—third-wheeling
isn't my style. Besides, I've never ridden a carousel before. | want to see what it's like."
Catching his gaze, Stella replied calmly, "Rachel's health isn't great. Rides like the carousel aren't really an
option for her-she gets dizzy easily."
"There was this one twe took Keen to the park. He insisted Rachel ride the carousel with him. She ended up
passing out and had to be taken to the hospital. Keen's dad scolded him pretty harshly afterward."
Back then, Haynes had been tied up at work and hadn't calong. But the moment he heard Rachel had
fainted, he dropped everything-even a meeting- and rushed to the hospital.
Stella herself had caught heat from Haynes that day, too.
His logic was simple: "Kids don't know any better, but adults should. Why would you let Rachel go on a ride like
that?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Stella remembered feeling both incredulous and wronged. Sure, Keen might not have understood Rachel's
condition, but Rachel herself certainly did. If she couldn't handle the ride, why hadn't she spoken up?
Neville's voice was low, edged with concern. "Star, you've put up with a lot, haven't you? Especially being around
him."
Stella gave a wry, self-mocking smile. "Looking back, I'm basically a ninja turtle. Nothing could takedown."
Her humor drew a laugh from Neville, but his eyes grew more serious than usual as he looked at her-warmth
giving way to something deeper, more earnest.
"I'm the kind of guy who's fiercely protective of the people | care about. Especially my woman. | can't stand
seeing the people | love get hurt, Star. Not all men are like Haynes."
His gaze lingered on her, as if, in that moment, she was the only person in the world.
Haynes, meanwhile, had been delayed by Rachel. By the the arrived, this was the scene he found: Stella and
Neville, sitting together in a pumpkin-shaped carriage, gazing at each other with unmistakable affection.
From where he stood, Haynes could see the admiration and fondness in Neville's eyes-an expression he'd often
seen turned on him by women confessing their feelings. That look of genuine attraction, reserved for someone
who truly shined
At first, Haynes had always considered Stella to be just a pretty face. Now, watching Neville's captivated
expression, it struck him: she could actually attract othe
men men who saw her value, who were drawn to her light.
A cold pang of panic twisted in his chest—a feeling he'd never experienced before. It was as if something
precious to him was about to be taken away.
He'd always believed that, without him, Stella would never find someone better. They had Keen between them,
after all; he'd
assumed she would eventual net
cback to him. That confidence had always seemed unshakeable.
But now he noticed: Stella wasn't lacking for admirers. Neville. Antoney Watson. Noah. Even Joshua, whom
Haynes had always dismissed as useless, seemed to have feelings for Stella.
How many more were there, ones he didn't even know about?
None of them seemed to care that Stella had been married, or that she had a child.
Haynes's breath cquicker, his eyes growing as cold and sharp as steel. For a moment, he looked like he
might explode.
Stella sensed the tension, her heart skipping a beat. She instinctively avoided his gaze, only to run straight into
Haynes's stormy, brooding stare. She frowned, exasperated, and turned back to Neville.
Seeing this, Haynes's hands curled into fists. He strode toward Stella, determination etched in every line of his
face.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
