"I regretted it so much…" Stella's voice trembled as she lowered her gaze, fingers tightening around the hem of her dress. "My best friend… she scammed me, Leo. If it weren't for her lies, I wouldn't have—" Her voice broke, and she sniffled delicately, like a carefully rehearsed scene. "I shouldn't have run away…"
Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes as she looked up at him with fragile innocence, her lips trembling just enough to seem believable.
Bella watched quietly, her chest tightening.
She didn't speak. She didn't blink much either.
Only sat beside Leo, her hands gently folded on her lap, trying to appear unaffected but her heart felt heavy and irritated for reasons she couldn't even describe.
Leonardo slowly leaned back in his chair, his posture stiffening. His long fingers tapped once on the table. Then again.
