Page 20 of King of Rage

Stella’s smile faded.

“He’s so rich that you’d never have to worry about how you’ll live for the rest of your life.”

Stella’s expression tightened. She set her glass on the table and turned toward her aunt.

“Please don’t talk about this. You know I’m not going to do it,” she said with a frustrated sigh.

“What if Lucius finds out that you’re living with Shane but your relationship isn’t real? Something could happen between you two again. It’s not as though you’re actually married. Shane isn’t your real husband. This is only a fake relationship, isn’t it?” Darla pressed.

She moved closer, her concern deepening. “Why don’t you think about yourself for once? All you ever care about is Shane and what he needs. But how long are you going to keep doing this? I know he’s your friend, and I understand that you’re helping him because his family is involved in terrible things, but how long are you going to keep sacrificing your own happiness for him?”

Darla shook her head. “I know you’re doing this for Shane, but you shouldn’t have to spend your life pretending to be his wife.”

Stella turned toward her, her patience finally wearing thin.

“Aunt Darla, Lucius will never find out. This is between Shane and me. I’m not going back to him, and I need you to stop bringing this up. Don’t interfere in our affairs. I don’t want Shane to hear any of this.”

“I’m only saying it because I care about you,” Darla replied, trying to make her understand.

But Stella had already picked up her water bottle. Without saying anything more, she turned and walked away, leaving Darla behind.

That night, Stella lay awake, restless thoughts keeping her from sleep. She tossed and turned beneath the covers until, unable to bear it any longer, she pushed them aside and quietly slipped out of the house.

She drove straight to her best friend’s home. After entering the security code, she stepped inside and called Ana.

“I’m in the living room. Should I come up to your bedroom, or are you two naked?”

A burst of shuffling sounded from the other end of the line, followed by Ana’s breathless voice.

“Come upstairs. We’re decent now.”

There was a brief pause before Ana giggled.

Stella rolled her eyes as she climbed the stairs. When she reached the bedroom, she knocked on the door.

“Don’t be indecent. I don’t want to walk in on anything. I’m coming inside.”

Before she could finish, the door opened.

Ana’s husband, Mason, stood there. He was tall and imposing, with broad shoulders, deep brown hair falling casually over his forehead, and a sharp jaw softened by a trace of stubble. His piercing eyes settled on Stella, immediately making her tense.

He had always been intimidating, and there was something about his presence that made her instinctively wary. But Stella wasn’t about to let that stop her. She simply pushed past him and walked straight into the bedroom.

“I’m here. Did you miss me?” she called out.

Ana laughed from the bed. Her small, sweet face lit up with an innocent smile, her long hair spilling around her shoulders as she looked toward Stella with her warm, kind eyes.

“I saw you just this morning, Stella, but yes, I missed you.”

Stella didn’t bother answering. She walked straight to the bed and climbed in beside her.

Ana turned toward her, surprise written across her face. “What’s going on? Why are you here this late?”

“Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.” Stella pulled the covers over herself. “I want to sleep with you tonight.”

Ana immediately looked toward her husband.

“Why are you sleeping here? You came all the way from your house just to sleep in our room with my wife?” Mason crossed his arms over his chest, his expression one of pure disbelief.