LOGINStellaOne Year Later…The beach breeze is warm against my skin. The sound of laughter and light conversations fill my ears, causing me to smile more than I have for in the past. My brother's sit on the opposite side of the table, while my parents, Lillian, Adrian, and I are on the other.We decided
StellaI was discharged from the hospital just a few hours ago. Adrian kept me in his car while he ran out to the store and bought all new groceries for me, buying me snacks and drinks for me to eat while I relax at home. It is a really kind gesture from him, something that he never would've done fo
Adrian looks at me and I shake my head, signaling for him to stay. He silently nods and remains in place, watching as the room is slowly vacated, my father remaining behind. His eyes flicker between us, the way I instinctively reach for Adrian’s hand.“What is it that you’re doing, Stella?” my fathe
StellaAdrian stayed by my side for the rest of the night. He held my hand and called the nurses over when I needed more pain medication to ease the stinging and burning feeling inside of my body. He helped me adjust my pillows and got me more blankets, bribing the teenage girls next-door to offer u
Stellathe first thing that I can hear is the faint beeps of a hospital machine. There is a hospital like ambience, just beyond my consciousness, rooted in reality, it is in a place where I am not. I can listen to the sound of nurses and doctors talking, but I fall back into a state of unconsciousne
AdrianMy heart races inside of my chest. I can’t think straight and I feel so dizzy, having to sit down since my legs feel like jelly. I tried to convince myself that everything is okay, that Stella is not in need in that Clara is just over exaggerating what she said on the phone, but something in
AdrianI push off and away from the counter, fists balled at my side. My eyes focus on Stella and the man who holds her, whispering into her ear. I huff and my nostrils flare.“Adrian? Where are you going?” Clara calls out from behind but I don’t turn around, instead continuing to walk towards Stell
StellaI tear my gaze away from Adrian’s unable to even look at the man that stands before me. I spot a nearby hotel employee, signaling them over. They slowly approach me, nodding their head, ready to receive my command.“I want to see the security footage,” I gesture to the security cameras that h
“The diamonds don’t even look real!” Clara boasts and turns her chin upwards, looking away as a form of protest.The jewelry appraiser from before approaches me with a kind smile.“May I?” He kindly asks. I nod.The man leans in and closely inspects the necklace. My heart races inside of my chest.W
StellaI roll my eyes and click a button on the side of the car door. The window rolls up, Adrian drawing his hands away. Without another word, Sebastian steps on the gas pedal and the car speeds away.“Stella,” Sebastian says my name like it is butter rolling off of his tongue, “if you need to talk







