Still wary, Stella withdrew her hand, responding, “Just an accident.”
Fixing her gaze on Haley, she questioned, “Where were you? Why do you come to me now?”
Dropping her gaze, Haley revealed, “I miraculously survived a car crash that year. Burdened with debts, I had no choice but to entrust you to Mr. Anderson.”
Tears traced down her face as she continued, “I had plans to reunite with you after securing a stable job, but fate had other plans. I was abducted and sold to another country. The journey home was fraught with suffering.”
A lump formed in Stella’s throat; she understood the arduousness of Haley’s escape from the clutches of kidnappers.
(EagleNovels)
Haley wiped her tears, resolutely meeting Stella’s gaze. Clasping Stella’s hand, she vowed, “Stella, don’t hold it against me. I had no choice back then. I’m here to make amends now.”
Observing the woman who bore a striking resemblance, Stella felt a profound sympathy for the trials Haley had faced. She harbored no desire to cast blame, acknowledging that Haley’s escape was fueled by her yearning to reunite with her daughter.
With a nod, Stella embraced Haley, murmuring, “You’ve suffered a lot.”
In what should have been a poignant mother-daughter reunion, Matthew observed with a cold, scrutinizing gaze.
His gaze fixed on Haley, his frown deepened, finding the woman’s sudden appearance laden with suspicion.
In that moment, Oliver and Juliette approached.
“Your mother hasn’t had dinner yet. Stella, let her eat first. You can talk after dinner,” Juliette suggested with a warm smile.
Stella released her hold on Haley, dabbing her tears away with a tissue. “Let’s have dinner first.”
“Okay,” Haley agreed. As she prepared to escort Stella to the dining room, a hushed voice cut through the air.
Matthew’s piercing stare bore into Haley as he inquired, “Do you have any evidence to affirm you are truly Stella’s mother?”
His authoritative tone applied pressure, making Haley uneasy. However, she had anticipated this moment and maintained composure.
Turning her head, she avoided Matthew’s probing eyes and explained, “I visited the orphanage and provided documents as evidence. If you remain unconvinced, I’m open to a DNA test. But I trust no mother would mistake her own daughter.”
Her words failed to dispel Matthew’s skepticism; he continued to scrutinize Haley with growing curiosity.
Aware of Matthew’s knack for inducing stress, Stella intervened, cautioning him, “Matthew, cease with the questioning.”
She guided Haley towards the dining room, reassuring her, “Matthew didn’t mean any harm. Pay no mind to him.”
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Haley nodded, smiling in agreement. “Certainly.”
As Matthew continued to scrutinize Haley’s retreating figure, his instincts whispered of an underlying mystery in the unfolding situation.
Matthew lingered in the living room by himself for quite a while, his emotions swirling as he overheard laughter from the dining room.
He was determined not to let Stella down at this moment.