3

STELLA POV 

The next day, everyone sat in the dining room, while I stayed back in the kitchen with the maids to prepare food for everyone.

Devon’s parents had called us to the family estate for a family get together since Estelle was back.

They chatted and laughed in the dining hall without me, but I put all my effort into preparing the meal. I wanted everything to be satisfactory so everyone would be happy, and maybe they would finally praise me for once.

I put my heart into it, making sure everything was just right, the right amount of seasoning and the right amount of heat, so Devon’s grandmother would not find a single complaint.

After the food was ready, the maids served the dishes to everyone, and I went back to sit beside Devon in the dining hall.

I looked down and saw Devon’s hand on top of Estelle's.

They immediately pulled away once I caught them.

My heart sank, and a sharp pain panged my chest, but I decided to let it go and not cause a commotion on this ‘joyous’ occasion.

Devon turned to me and intertwined our hands, but I pulled away. I was upset with him, for… everything. 

He groaned and sighed. “Don’t start again,” he muttered under his breath. “You always like to twist things and take things out of proportion.”

Out of proportion?

“Right now I was only comforting her because…”

I turned to him sharply. I wanted to yell at him, but I controlled myself. 

The words he said last night when he handed me the divorce papers still echoed in my head. He threw divorce papers at me and threatened to end everything just because I was pointing out Estelle's flaws.

As stupid as it sounded, I didn’t want to divorce him. I wanted to do everything to ensure we remained together, especially for my unborn child.

I didn’t want my child to grow up in a broken home. I wanted us to be together, not just for my child, but for us, or rather, for me.

I was still madly in love with Devon, and I couldn’t bear to give him up to my sister.

I shot her a glare before turning away, but from the corner of my eye, I saw her smirk.

After the dishes were served, everyone started eating.

“So, Estelle, what were you doing abroad?” Grandmother asked.

“I just kept traveling around, seeing the world and educating myself.” She took a spoon full of her plate and ate. 

Suddenly, Estelle started coughing blood.

“What happened?” everyone exclaimed in alarm, they rushed to her side including Devon.

She spoke weakly, “There must have been peanuts in my food. I’m allergic to peanuts.”

Everyone immediately turned to me.

“I didn’t put peanuts in her food,” I denied.

“Then who did? You are the one who cooked!” Grandmother accused me, pointing her cane at me.

“Yes, I cooked today and never put peanuts in it. I know Estelle was allergic to peanuts, so how could I have added it? That would be intentionally trying to kill her, and I’m not a monster.”

“But then how did the peanuts enter her food, Stella?” Mr Michael King, Devon's father, said. His voice was laced with venom.

‘I don't know either. Did she secretly sneak peanuts into her dish?’ I questioned internally. My thoughts jumped all over the place, trying to come up with answers for everyone.

A kitchen maid walked into the dining room and kneeled before everyone. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I was the one who put peanuts in the food. I thought it would add a special flavor. Madam Stella refused to listen to my advice, so I secretly added peanut powder into the dish to prove it would taste better.” she confessed. “I swear I didn’t know Madam Estelle was allergic to peanuts.”

“How could you?” I yelled at the kitchen maid. “Do you know this could be considered attempted murder?”

Oh goodness! The culprit came out. 

“This could be considered attempted murder,” Grandmother began, “You tried to kill your sister!” 

She was pointing her cane at me and not the kitchen maid. 

I gasped.

“But Grandmother, I didn’t do it. She confessed that she put peanut powder into the food.”

“You were the one preparing the food,” she said. “The food was your responsibility. You should have made sure your sister was safe. How could you not know peanuts were added to the dish? 

“Can’t you smell it? It’s obvious peanut powder was added. Everyone can smell it from here!” Mrs Lyra King, Devon's, added.

“So how can you tell me you didn’t know peanuts were added into the food?” grandmother demanded.

I don't know because I can't smell, I said in my mind but I couldn’t tell her that.

Grandmother did not want anyone disabled in relationships much more married to her children. If she knew I could not smell, I was sure she would make Devon divorce me immediately, no questions asked. I could not let that happen.

I stuttered, “I…I swear I…I didn’t k…know,” I said, trying to convince her.

“Liar,” she yelled. “You didn’t know? How could you not know? How could you be so ignorant? It’s obvious peanuts were added into this dish.”

“You did it intentionally. You wanted to poison your sister. This is attempted murder,” grandmother shouted furiously and her son tried to comfort her.

“But Grandmother, I swear I didn’t know,” I said. “And if that’s the case, then why did my sister eat the dish? If anyone could smell it, then she should have realized peanuts were added, she was also negligent,” I argued.

Estelle immediately put on a pitiable face. “That’s right, Grandmother. Please don’t blame Stella. It’s all my fault. I should have taken better care of myself,” she said, coughing again.

Everyone's sympathy went to her again.

“Estelle, I will take you to the hospital immediately,” Devon said as he carried her in his arms.

“You wicked wench,” Grandmother yelled at me. She was enraged. She raised her cane and struck me on the head.

I stumbled back and fell to the ground, blood gushing from my head.

Devon turned back and saw me on the floor. He gritted his teeth, then continued to rush out with Estelle in his arms.