Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2097

On the other side, Stella found herself abruptly snatched and dragged next to Beck, a blindfold darkening her world.

All she had wanted was to pop downstairs to the supermarket for some groceries. Little did she know, she'd end up kidnapped, clueless about her captor's identity.

Forced to kneel, the flick of a lighter near her ear was the only sound breaking the tense silence.

Beck, seated mightily in his chair, looked down upon her with a gaze that sent chills down her spine.

Stella's face tensed, an instinctive cry for Beck almost escaping her lips before his next words froze her completely.

“The house you’ve been living in belongs to a hacker linked to Maja’s kidnapping. When I caught him, he refused to squeal. Turns out, it was you, Stella.”

The smirk slowly fading from Stella's eyes, she knew Beck must've unearthed some clue to speak so boldly.

She was trapped, with no way out.

Lowering her head, she chose silence over defense.

But Beck, seizing her hair with a swift motion, forced her to meet his eyes, inflicting a sharp pain that wrinkled her forehead, though she quickly masked it with a smile.

“Beck, haven’t you figured it all out already?”

The moment she finished speaking, Beck flung her aside.

She hit the ground hard, a cold sweat breaking out from the pain.

“Stella, my family is my red line. Did you really think I could ever forgive you?”

Lying on the ground, Stella remained silent.

Beck felt an overwhelming irritation. He was never one to lay hands on a woman, but Stella’s actions were unforgivable.

“I heard you've been mingling with Jason. Coincidentally, his people are looking for you too.”

Stella tensed, fearing Beck might hand her over to Jason. Would she even make it out alive?

“Stella, I’m handing you over to them. Whether you survive is your own problem. Actions have consequences.”

Feeling utterly drained, Stella coughed, noticing fresh blood on her palm.

She slowly adjusted her posture, kneeling before Beck.

“Beck, can we consider another form of punishment?”

Expecting a confession of sorts, Beck leaned in, “What is it?”

But in the next moment, her lips fiercely met his, a desperate edge to her kiss.

Beck pushed her away, his expression darkening as he wiped his bleeding lips, repulsed yet intrigued by her audacity.

Stella met his gaze defiantly, her heart a vice of emotion as she saw him wipe away any trace of their contact.

“I’m not dirty yet, but who knows about the future. Beck, I really did like you.”

Beck, done with her games, gestured for her to be taken away.

As for explaining to Angus, he’d bring the paternity test himself.

As Stella was led away, she couldn't help but look back at Beck. His striking looks and stature, illuminated as if he bore the world's light, contrasted sharply with her own cunning, rat-like existence.

Beck didn’t care for her, and perhaps that was for the best. Maybe he’d remember this kiss, or maybe, to him, she was just a fleeting breeze, leaving no trace in his world.

He would continue to be the high and mighty Mr. Sanders, possibly finding a woman he truly loved, while Stella’s fate would darken in some forgotten corner, unnoticed.

A bitter laugh escaped her, though she couldn't bring herself to look away, committing his image to memory for the last time.