My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 42: Keep It Down, Is It Something to Be Proud Of?
Stella was clearly smiling, but Owen felt there was something in her eyes he couldn’t quite decipher.
Just then, Stella winked at him. "You can get migraines if you don’t dry your hair at night."
Owen’s brow quirked perceptively. "Do *you* get migraines when you don’t dry your hair?"
Stella was shocked again.
’How did he know again!’
Owen left her with an "I’ll keep an eye on you from now on," and went to the bathroom to dry his hair.
A guy’s hair is short, so he was back quickly.
After turning off the main light, a small night-light remained on. It was on Owen’s side, so it wasn’t too bright where Stella was.
As they lay in bed, Stella asked him, "Why do you sleep with a night-light on? Doesn’t the light bother your eyes?"
Owen was lying on his side, looking at Stella’s profile. "No, I’m used to it."
Stella murmured an "oh" and pulled the blanket up to her nose, covering half her face.
She was a little nervous with Owen lying on his side facing her like that.
Her voice was muffled by the blanket when she spoke. "Good night."
Hearing no reply from Owen, Stella didn’t dare turn to look at him.
She closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep when she suddenly felt the man beside her move.
A strong, firm arm slipped behind her, and with a gentle pull on her shoulder, Owen gathered her into his arms.
His large hand rested gently on the back of her head. They were so close, so close that the tip of her nose could feel the heat radiating from his body and smell that scent of pine and bamboo.
She didn’t know if he was sleepy, but his voice was thick with sleep. "Good night."
’Seriously, who could fall asleep now?!’
Despite this, Stella fell asleep not long after.
Owen, however, was now wide awake.
He had long since loosened his hold, his arm now resting lightly around the small of her back.
It was hot. A layer of sweat coated his back, but Stella was sleeping soundly while hugging him.
’How can she sleep?’
’Isn’t she hot?’
But, at least in this moment, Owen could say with certainty that he wasn’t leaving home to become a monk anymore.
...
When Stella woke up the next day, Owen was long gone.
A good night’s sleep easily leads to a cheerful mood.
Before, she had always suffered from insomnia, to the point where her days and nights were flipped—a completely nocturnal schedule.
But sleeping with Owen, she seemed to sleep very well.
Kiana’s engagement party was at six in the evening, so Stella went to a dress shop in the afternoon.
She had chosen a black, strapless, Hepburn-style gown. It originally came with a pair of black gloves, but out of consideration for Kiana and not wanting to steal her thunder, she decided not to wear them.
After changing into the gown, she had her hair and makeup done.
Her long, slightly curled hair was swept up high with a pearl chain, looking slightly tousled but possessing an indescribable charm.
A pearl necklace adorned her long, slender, swan-like neck. It was made of perfectly round, uniformly-sized South Sea pearls, with a single black Tahitian pearl as the centerpiece.
Black pearl drop earrings complemented the entire ensemble, exuding an undeniable aura of nobility.
When she was all done, the makeup artist stared at her, momentarily speechless.
"Miss Sterling, may I take a picture of you? You look absolutely stunning. I’d like to print it out to display in our store for promotion, if that’s okay?"
Stella smiled. "In that case, can I get a discount next time I come?"
"Of course! You’re a lifetime VIP of our shop!"
Not surprising, considering the price of her gown.
The dress shop also did photoshoots, and a photographer happened to be free. Stella went to the studio and casually took a few pictures. Nearly every single one was magazine-cover quality.
There was still an hour before the engagement party began.
Kiana sat in the dressing room as the makeup artist applied the final touches to her look.
Kiana looked at her exquisite and dazzling reflection in the mirror, very satisfied.
Although it was only an engagement party, many people were attending due to the Rhodes Family’s status in Jandor.
She had chosen a moonlight-white satin gown for the occasion. The satin shimmered under the lights, making her look gentle and captivating. She wore a diamond tiara in her hair and a pigeon’s-egg-sized diamond ring on her finger.
Ethan came in, saw her, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. "Kiana, you look so beautiful today."
Kiana placed her left hand on his forearm and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Ethan, I’m so happy today, too."
Suddenly—SLAM! The two of them whipped their heads around to see a lavishly dressed Stella, holding a small cardboard box in one hand, having just slapped open the dressing room door with the other.
Kiana’s diamond ring reflected the spotlight, the glint landing right in Stella’s eyes.
She raised a hand to shield her eyes, then let out a soft laugh. "Didn’t you say I took the ring? Then what’s that you’re wearing on your hand now?"
Two seconds later, Stella covered her mouth in mock surprise. "It couldn’t be a fake, could it? How embarrassing would that be if word got out."
The makeup artist beside them said nothing, but Stella waved a hand at her theatrically and chided, "Keep your voice down. Is this something to be proud of?"
The makeup artist: "..."
Meanwhile, Ethan and Kiana could only stare at her, speechless.
’Who knew that someone who usually wore white could look so breathtakingly stunning in black.’
Ethan couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, while venom slowly filled Kiana’s gaze.
After a long moment, she finally put on her "good sister" mask.
"Stella, you’re here! I was worried you were angry with me and wouldn’t come today."
"How could I not come? Today is your special day. Of course, I had to be here to witness it with my own eyes."
With that, Stella turned to the makeup artist with a radiant smile. "Excuse me, miss, could I trouble you to wait outside for a moment?"
The makeup artist sensed the delicate atmosphere between the three and quickly fled the volatile scene, kindly closing the door behind her.
With only the three of them left in the room, Stella casually tossed the cardboard box onto the low table in front of Ethan.
"A courtesy for a courtesy."
Ethan finally snapped back to reality. He looked at the box on the table and asked, "What do you mean by this? Stella, today is my and Kiana’s engagement party. I advise you to get a grip. If you make one wrong move, I’ll have security escort you out."
At this moment, facing Ethan and Kiana, she felt surprisingly calm.
’Perhaps, just as Ariana Grant said, I’ve really let go.’
She put on an innocent expression. "You’ve really misunderstood me. I came today with the most sincere blessings. I wish you both... to... last... for... ever."
The way Stella deliberately enunciated those four words—"to last for ever"—instantly reminded Ethan of the day she had cursed them, calling them a "bitch and a dog."
’He knew it! Stella was up to no good!’
Just as he was about to step forward, Kiana pulled him back from behind.
"Stella, your sister is really so happy you could come. By the way, the sons of the Hollis and Moss families, the ones Dad mentioned to you before, will also be at the banquet tonight. You should take the opportunity to get to know them. Your sister hopes you can find your own happiness soon."
Stella stared at her. "What? So I can find my own happiness sooner and ease that guilty conscience of yours?"
"That’s not what I meant..." Kiana looked like she was about to cry again.
Stella cut her off. "I’m just here for the free meal today, nothing more. Believe it or not, that’s up to you."
She turned and left without another word.
But the final look she gave them... no matter how Kiana looked at it, it was anything but innocent.
