Chapter 65
Every family gathering felt like a marathon to Stella. She darted around the room, serving coffee and drinks, working harder than the hired help-yet in Deanna’s eyes, it was never enough.
No matter what Deanna said, she had to bite her tongue and nod. Any dissent might earn her a reputation as disrespectful or ill-mannered.
Stella had always respected Deanna, Haynes’ mother. She thought she should keep the peace and spare Haynes any familial drama.
But she was done playing nice. She wouldn’t stand Deanna’s disdain anymore, especially not after deciding to leave the past behind.
“I’m not returning,” Stella declared, her voice steady and free of the hesitation that used to color her every word. She no longer feared saying the wrong thing and incurring Deanna’s wrath.
“And by the way, feel free to kick me out of the O’Brien family. Being your daughter-in-law is nothing but a disgrace.”
With that, she hung up, leaving Deanna on the silent phone in shock.
Next to her, Callie O’Brien noticed her mother’s stunned expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, is Stella coming over today? I was hoping she’d make some scones. They’re way better than anything our chef can whip up.”
Though Callie wasn’t Stella’s biggest fan, she couldn’t deny Stella’s culinary skills.
Deanna snapped out of her daze, her anger bubbling to the surface. “What’s gotten into Stella today? She’s got the nerve to hang up on me and talk about being kicked out like a badge of honor!”
“I must’ve been too soft on her lately-now she thinks she has the upper hand!”
Callie shrugged, unfazed. “Stella is probably putting on a show. She worked so hard to marry Haynes, she won’t walk away so easily. Besides, they have a kid together.”
She sighed, “But then again, with how Haynes has been carrying on with Rachel, it’s no wonder Stella’s upset. Any outsider would think Rachel is the one wearing the ring.”
“It’s probably her way of staking her claim. Now the whole world knows she’s Mrs. O’Brien.”
Deanna sneered, “Mrs. O’Brien, my foot. I’ve never acknowledged her as such. And Rachel? She’s no better. I hear she’s not long for this world, so I’m not bothering with her.”
Deanna took a delicate sip of her coffee, a smirk on her lips. “Let her help ruin whatever’s left of Stella’s relationship with Haynie.”
Callie looked shocked. “Mom, you’re not seriously thinking of…”
Deanna cut her off, “With Haynie’s standing and prospects, even if he were divorced with a kid, plenty of eligible women are eager to marry him. And even if they weren’t from wealthy backgrounds, they’d at least be well-educated.”
She let out a disdainful snort. “I was willing to be civil for Keen’s sake, and Stella throws it back in my face? She should take a good look in the mirror.”
Callie knew her mother valued social standing above all. If not that, at least a good education would do. With her pretty face and little else, Stella would never meet Deanna’s standards.
With Stella’s online antics affecting the O’Brien Group’s stock value, it couldn’t be clearer that Stella’s future was anything but smooth sailing.