Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 231

"Why?"

The question lingered in the stairwell, echoing softly.

Stella nuzzled against his chest once more, whispering, "Because I like you. I like you, like you..."

Her repeated confessions echoed in Ronald's ears, stirring his heart like a thunderous roar across the mountains, making his pupils contract uncontrollably.

"Do you like me as a brother, or do you like Ronald?"

His voice, magnetic and deep, would be hard to decipher for anyone fully conscious, let alone Stella in her state.

This time, however, there was no reply.

After a few seconds of silence, Ronald looked down to find Stella's lips slightly parted, her breathing even and calm. Her once tightly clenched hand on his shirt gradually loosened.

She had fallen asleep.

Gazing at her flushed cheeks, Ronald couldn't help but smile helplessly.

He carried her upstairs to her room, and as he laid her on the bed, Stella stirred, but her eyes remained hazy, barely awake, "Ronald."

"What is it?"

"I want a hug."

Her voice was plaintive, tinged with a hint of grievance. "I want to be hugged forever."

"Alright, a hug."

Faced with her pleading eyes, Ronald couldn't refuse. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his embrace.

Afraid she might catch a cold from the alcohol, he quickly wrapped her in the blankets.

A gentle kiss landed on Stella's forehead, "Goodnight, sleep tight."

It felt like a return to their childhood.

Stella had always been dependent on Ronald, insisting that he tuck her in every night.

If Ronald was at school, she would wait for him.

So, throughout middle school, high school, and even college, Ronald was driven home every night by the family chauffeur.

Their mother, Lottie Lugar, pained by the distance Ronald had to travel, suggested he find a place near school.

But Ronald ended up taking Stella with him, hiring a nanny to look after her in a house opposite his school.