Sitting next to her mother, Stella Sterling asked curiously, "What kind of dinner is it that you need to take my sister to? She can't really hold her liquor."
"It's just close colleagues. Mr. Miller and a few of the other executives."
With that, Mrs. Sterling gave Stella a chilly look. "What? You think you can hold your liquor? Should I have your dad take you along too?"
Stella laughed awkwardly. "That wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"
"So you do know what's appropriate."
Stella pouted and said nothing.
Turning away, she went back to her room with her bag. She opened her messaging app and stared at her pinned contact, a strange feeling welling up inside her.
'He hasn't replied in so long. Is he really that busy?'
He had clearly told her at The Sovereign that he'd be home as soon as possible, but he'd gone completely silent the moment he left.
Stella waited and waited at home. She'd already gotten three push notifications from her evening subscriptions.
