Chapter 14

Christian's POV

Three weeks. That’s how long it’s been since Stella left. I mean I got rid from that stubborn pig.  My parents were satisfied that the taint of gay on my name was gone. My life had slipped back into its cold, orderly routine. Deals. Numbers. Silence.

Today was another power meeting. I crushed it. Finally, I could focus on my empire again.

When I returned to the mansion that evening, I found my father sitting in the study, his usual expression unreadable.

“Christian.”

“Dad.” I walked in, loosening my tie. “The meeting with the Tycoon went well. We closed the deal. I’ll send you the details later.”

He nodded, a satisfied hum leaving him. “Good. So… where’s Stella?”

I froze. My mind blanked for a second.

“Stella?”

“Yes. Your girlfriend.” My father raised an eyebrow, giving me that calculating look that always made me feel like a boy again. “It’s been weeks since you last talked about her. .”

“She—uh…” I scrambled for an answer, cursing myself for forgetting about her. “She’s on a trip. Out of the country. Needed a break.”

“A break?” His gaze narrowed. “From you?”

I cleared my throat. “No. From everything. Stella likes… solo trips. She’s independent like that.”

“Hmm.” His brow lifted. “And you’re fine with your girlfriend traveling alone?”

“Of course,” I lied. “She’ll be back in ten days.”

Dad leaned back, the silence heavy. “You’re sure?”

I nodded, forcing a calm expression. “Positive.”

He stared at me for a long moment before sighing, picking up his cigar. “ I hope so. "

With this he left.

---

That afternoon

My phone buzzed with a call. Stella’s name flashed across the screen—emergency call.

I sat up straight, my stomach twisting. I answered immediately. “Stella?”

Nothing.

I called back. Once. Twice.

Nothing.

The quiet felt like a scream. I didn’t think—didn’t breathe.

“Prepare the chopper. NOW!” I commanded.

---

At Her Apartment

The door was ajar. My pulse pounded in my ears.

I pushed it open, and the silence swallowed me whole.

“Stella?”

I stepped inside, my shoes echoing against the floor. Then I saw her.

Lying on the ground.

In a wedding dress.

My breath left me like a punch to the chest.

“Stella!”

I dropped beside her.  Her face was pale, her lips faintly blue, and her body—lifeless.

“Hey. Hey, wake up.”  I shook her gently. Then harder. “Stella! Wake up!”

Nothing.

The pill bottle caught my eye—capsules spilled across the floor.

“No, no, no.” I grabbed the bottle, reading the label. Sleeping pills. Nearly empty.

I swept her into my arms. “Hold on. You’re not leaving me. You hear me?”

I quickly called nick to arrange everything.

---

At the Mansion

The doctor was already waiting when I stormed in, Stella limp in my arms.

“Do something!” I barked.

The doctor moved quickly, barking orders I couldn’t process. I stood frozen, fists clenched as I watched them hook her up to wires, tubes—things that looked too final.

Ava showed up minutes later, eyes wide with panic as she took in Stella’s unconscious form and the wedding dress crumpled on the chair.

“Christian,” Ava choked out. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” My voice was raw. “I found her like this.”

Ava’s voice broke. “Christian… was today her wedding? Then why she will try to..take her own life?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I knew nothing.

The doctor finally turned to me. “She’s stable, but unresponsive. Her body’s weak, and we’ll need to watch her. It’s up to her now.”

I hadn’t left her side. She lay there, so still it made my chest ache. I brushed her hair back, my voice low.

She was the only girl that made me say life is interesting and now she is lying like this.

“You’re stubborn, Stella. Wake up.”

Nothing.

I forced myself to step out for a moment, just to breathe. My man was waiting in the hallway, his expression uneasy.

“Sir… we spoke to her mother.”

I straightened. “And?”

“It was Stella’s wedding yesterday. But she … called it off. He caught her cheating.”

I stared at him, the words refusing to register. “Cheating? She called it off ?”

“Yes. Her mother confirmed it.”

I couldn’t believe it. Stella? Cheating?

“And the pills?” I asked, my voice like ice.

The man hesitated. “Her mother didn’t know. When we told her about Stella’s condition, she said…” He swallowed hard. “She said it’s better this way. Stella’s nothing but a shame now. That she should take responsibility for her actions.”

I froze, my mind blank.

Her own mother said that?

“Get out.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

---

Stella’s Room

She looked smaller than ever in that bed. Fragile. Breakable.

I sat down beside her, my voice rough. “You cheated? Is that true? I don’t believe it, Stella. You wouldn’t. And who on the earth call off the wedding after cheating and caught.”

She didn’t respond.

“Did he hurt you?” My throat tightened. “Is that why you were forced to cheat on him?”

Nothing.

I waited. Watching. Hoping. Night went.

Morning light began filtering through the curtains. I looked at her pale face again, searching for anything—anything—that would tell me she was coming back to me.

A faint knock pulled me out of my trance. Ava stepped in, her face pale and drawn, her eyes red. I told MJ to take care of her , but she still cried. She liked Stella a lot. Saying she is different from other girls , she is lovable and cheerful, not selfish.

“How is she?” she whispered.

“She hasn’t woken up yet,” I replied, my voice hoarse.

Ava sighed shakily, stepping closer to Stella’s bed. She sat down on the other side, her fingers trembling as she took Stella’s limp hand. “I can’t believe this happened,” she said softly. “I don’t understand. What could’ve gone so wrong?”

I clenched my fists. “Her fiancé accused her of cheating,” I said flatly.

Ava’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “What? Stella would never!”

“I know.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “But her mother confirmed it. The bastard caught her with someone—who, I don’t know. Then she called it off

”

Ava shook her head vehemently. “That’s impossible. She wouldn’t even look at another man she loved her fiance a lot. She told me herself. ”

Ava’s lips trembled as tears spilled down her face. “And her mother…”

I exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. “Her mother said she’s a shame. That she deserves to take responsibility.”

Ava’s face crumpled. “Her own mother?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

Nightfall

Another day had passed. The doctors said she was stable, but fragile—like glass that could shatter at the lightest touch.

I sat beside her again, resting my elbows on my knees, head in my hands.

“You’re really testing me here, Stella,” I muttered, my voice low. “You’re the most stubborn woman I know. So why can’t you fight back now?”

The soft beep of the monitors answered me.

I leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Do you know what I’ve been doing since you left? Working. Forgetting. Pretending that everything’s fine. But you…” I swallowed hard, my chest aching. “You’ve been out there falling apart. You could have asked me things , I would have helped you. Taking sleeping pills isn't an answer or way.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You’d probably tell me this isn’t my problem, right? That you don’t need me? What could I have done? I don't understand emotions."

Silence.

“Well, too bad. You do need me, Stella.”

I sat back in the chair, my eyes burning. I hadn’t slept properly in days.

“Wake up you pig, see you are sleeping like one. No normal person sleeps like this.” I whispered one last time before closing my eyes.

---

The Morning

A small noise made me stir. I blinked blearily, the early light filtering through the curtains.

Then I heard it again. A faint, hoarse sound.

My heart stopped. I sat up instantly, turning to Stella and called the doctor.

She just groaned in pain barely a whisper.

My breath caught. “Stella?”

Her eyelids fluttered, and then slowly, painfully, she looked at me.

Relief hit me so hard I nearly fell to my knees.

“Stella.” I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. “You’re awake.”

She blinked up at me, confused and dazed. Her voice was weak. “What are you doing here?”

“I got emergency call from you.” I said quickly, smoothing her hair back.

Her brows furrowed slightly, tears welling in her eyes as memories seemed to flood.

Her lips trembled as more tears fell, and for the first time, she didn’t argue.

I squeezed her hand and said"Don't cry just tell me what happened that you take sleeping pills."

" Something terrible." She looked at me with pleading eyes.

Doctors arrived and checked her and told that she is fine now but her body is too weak as well her emotional condition is not so good , one of us must be with her .