| know you and Matthew are cool with covering the bill, but it’s not sitting well with me.
Stella got it right away.
After a moment, she responded, “You're spot on.
My bad, | should've thought about that.
“I'm not trying to put blon you.
” Haley waved it off.
“You're my mom.
Now that you're here in Seamarsh, | should sort this out.
I've just been swamped lately,” Stella explained.
“Lethelp you rent an apartment first.
Haley's expression changed.
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She wasn't entirely sold on the idea.
Originally, she figured Stella could buy her a house near Prosper Bay.
That way, if her true identity was revealed, she'd still have a house.
But if it was just a rental...
Haley shot Stella a look.
She was all mixed up inside.
“Stella, for the past decade, I've been without a real hand | can’t stand it.
I'm always crashing in rented pads, getting kicked out by landlords.
It's been rough.
Haley sugarcoated it, but Stella caught her drift.
“No sweat.
| won't let history repeat itself.
We'll find a rental first.
If it fits the bill, I'll buy it for you.
” Stella laid out the plan.
Haley beamed with excitement, but then fretted.
“Will it put a dent in your wallet? It won't be cheap.
“Don’t worry about it.
” Stella waved it off with a grin.
Haley fished something out of her bag.
“I ran into this realtor guy and he was super hyped.
He gavepamphlets on houses he’s peddling.
“Handy.
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Let's take a peek.
” Stella reached for the pamphlets when Matthew's voice c
ut in from outside the dining room.
“Don’t bother.
At the sight of Matthew, Haley tensed, her hand freezing in midair.
Last tshe’d faced Matthew, he had warned her and it still stuck with her.
Haley knew even with the DNA test, Matthew still had doubts.
Spotting Matthew, Stella approached him, surprised.
“I thought you was having a dinner party.
Why are you here? Haley's whipped up a feast for me.
Are you hungry? If so, let's sit down together.
Matthew eyed the spread and nodded in agreement.
Stella and Matthew took their seats across from Haley.