Chapter 723

Stella laughed. Looking at the man in front of her, she suddenly felt a profound sense of sorrow.

More than four years of their lives together had culminated in this ugly accusation.

He hadn't even asked her a single question; he had just pronounced her guilty.

In his heart, he truly saw her as the kind of woman who would betray her marriage, a promiscuous adulteress.

In Cedric Clarke's eyes, she, Stella, was nothing more than a cheap, flighty woman without a shred of morality or integrity.

Stella lowered her gaze as a single tear fell silently.

But she refused to cry, and she refused to say another word.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up again, her eyes completely devoid of life. "Fine. I'll go back with you right now. As soon as we get to Northborough, we'll go straight to get divorced."

Cedric froze.

"Star!" Briony rushed over and grabbed her arm, trying to intervene. But when Stella turned to her, the shattered look of disappointment in her eyes silenced Briony completely.

As a woman, she understood just how deeply Cedric's words had cut.

Stella wasn't going to humiliate herself by explaining, and she certainly wasn't going to degrade herself by staying in a marriage filled with such rash accusations and suspicion.

Briony suddenly regretted bringing Cedric here. She had hoped that once they saw each other, she could mediate and give them a chance to reconcile. She never imagined that it would erupt into an irreparable fight the moment they arrived.

The young man got to his feet, wiping a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth.

He stepped forward, intending to explain the situation to Cedric, but Stella caught his arm.

Through the fabric of his sleeve, he could feel her hand trembling violently.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a heart-wrenching pain.

Stella shook her head at him. "Just go to class. And could you tell my advisor I need to take a few days off for a family emergency?"

The young man frowned, about to protest, but then he heard her say, "Don't say anything. Please, just let me keep a little bit of my dignity, okay?"

With her putting it that way, he could only sigh, shoot a glare at Cedric, and turn to leave.

After he was gone, Stella turned to Briony. "Bryn, wait for me for a minute. I'm going up to get my passport."

Briony said, "I'll go with you."

Stella didn't refuse.

Cedric stood rooted to the spot, watching as Stella and Briony disappeared into the apartment building.

He remained there, a solitary figure

in the misty rain, the Sydney wind doing nothing to cool the raging storm of frustration and griefin heart content belongs to.

...

Once inside the apartment, Briony immediately asked, "Star, who was that young man?"

"He lives across the hall. He's a classmate, too," Stella explained. "I was sick a while back, and he helped me out."

Briony sighed. "You should have explained that to Cedric."

Stella gave a bitter smile but said nothing more. She pushed open the bedroom door, walked to the nightstand, opened it, and took out her documents.

In

Briony came over and gently took her hand. "Star, I know what Cedric said downstairs was impulsive and hurt you deeply. But think about Aster, think about the four years you've spent together as husband and wife. This is all just a misunderstanding caused by a lack of communication. You both love each other so much. Please don't do something rash out of anger."

Stella looked down, her gaze fixed on the drawer.

She let out a soft, hollow laugh. "Bryn, why don't you take a look inside that drawer?"

Confused, Briony pulled the drawer all the way out.

Her eyes widened in shock at what she saw, and she looked back at Stella.

Stella squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's not at the point where I need medication yet. I'm trying my best to manage."

Briony's heart ached. She threw her arms around Stella, hugging her tightly.Why didn't you tell me? Don't you even consider me your friend anymore? To hide something like this from me when you're sick!"