Chapter 163 Stacy
Athena’s heart skipped a beat. She had never imagined that the story would take such a turn. Her eyes widened, but she remained silent, giving Rose the space to continue.
Rose took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she set her cup down. “That was the moment everything changed. Stacy had been hiding her affair with a man from the past, and when I found out, I couldn’t believe it. Not only did she betray my son’s trust, but she also betrayed her own family. It crushed Herman. After all, he had done so much for her and had always loved her deeply.”
Athena leaned forward, her voice soft, “That must have been devastating.”
Rose nodded, her expression darkening as she continued. “I could see how much it hurt Herman. He had always been so focused on his work, but in that moment, he realized he had been blind to the truth. He shut himself off emotionally for months, unable to look at Stacy the same way again. Their relationship was never the same after that. And what made it worse was that Lien, who had grown so close to Stacy, started acting out—almost as if she were trying to push Herman to his breaking point.”
Athena quietly processed the information. “And after that, what happened between them?” she asked.
Rose’s voice grew cold. “Herman distanced himself from everyone. He couldn’t bear the thought of being betrayed again. So, he sold his shares and left everything behind. He went to Dianville City to live a quieter life, far from the chaos. He still cared for Lien, but his trust in people was gone. And when Stacy passed away, he… he lost the will to go on. It was as though the grief of the entire situation finally caught up with him.”
Athena could sense the weight of Rose’s words, the history of pain and betrayal that had shaped this family. “So Lien was left with nothing?” Athena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rose’s eyes flickered with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. “Lien had everything handed to her, but she never understood what truly mattered. She always wanted more, always thought that the Stella name and fortune were enough to make her happy. But when everything collapsed, she was left with nothing but her bitterness.”
Athena’s gaze softened. “And now? What does she want now?”
Rose chuckled bitterly. “She wants what she always wanted—money, power, and to reclaim the inheritance she believes is rightfully hers. But she’ll never get it, not from me.”
Athena wasn’t sure what to say. The complexities of family, of love and betrayal, seemed to swirl around them, and she could see that Rose had carried a great burden. She had lost so much, but in the end, it was her strength that had kept her going.
“Madam Stella,” Athena said after a pause, “it’s clear you’ve been through so much. I hope you know that no matter what happens with your family, you’re not alone. I’m here for you.”
Rose smiled faintly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you, Athena. You’ve brought me more peace than I’ve had in a long time.”
Athena gently patted Rose’s hand, feeling the weight of their shared moment. She didn’t know what the future held for this family, but she did know that for Rose, the road ahead would be difficult. Yet, with Athena by her side, there was still hope.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, and Athena turned her head slightly. She wasn’t sure who would appear next, but she could sense that this day wasn’t finished. The unresolved tensions within the Stella family were far from over.
Jaxson stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the atmosphere. Seeing Rose looking slightly more at ease, he nodded toward Athena with a subtle expression of approval. “Everything alright?” he asked, his voice quiet but steady.
Rose nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yes, Jaxson. Everything is better now.”
Athena felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Though she knew that much more would unfold in the days to come, she felt more prepared for whatever came next. With Jaxson’s presence and her own resolve, they could face whatever this fractured family might throw at them.