บททั้งหมดของ No Longer A Substitute : บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

STELLA POV I unpacked my luggage. I booked a cheap motel room after exchanging my dollars for the local currency. “Um… when will you become a Savannah? I’m ready to go to the address in the letter anything you're here.” I held the phone between my ear and shoulder. The plan was for her to take a leave of absence for a week to help me get an apartment then find out who sent me that letter. I should also plan when I'll go for a hospital check and buy baby clothes but first I must get a good. Which job will be suitable for someone who doesn't speak Spanish here? My job prospects will be limited. For the sake of my babies, I have to learn quickly so I can get better jobs. I probably should have gone to an English speaking country so there wouldn't be this much for a language barrier. Coming here just because of potential relative is a bit much in hindsight but if the letter was true, meeting new relatives will be nice. On my way, I wonder how they'll be? Hope they won't t

STELLA POV I stared at the grave stone in front of me. Constantine remirez. The rest was in Spanish and I couldn't understand but I'm sure this must be the person who sent me the letter as the name matched. My brows furrowed, my lips in a tight line as I wonder just what emotion I am feeling right now. “So you’re my mother…” my fingers trembled slightly inside my pockets. “For this claim, what proof do you have other than your late words?” That's a stupid question. The proof is why I'm here for. I clenched the letter in my hand. I had carried the letter along with me just in case I was wrong and I needed to prove my identity and perhaps I could have a little support from the person who called me here. Maybe she worked here or asked me to come here for privacy sake but it's the sender's name on the grave stone. What happened? How did she sent me this letter? Was it when she was alive? When did she die? How did she die? “Why did you abandon me then?” those words escaped my

STELLA POV I dragged the suitcase along behind me. It was light. Savannah had taken me shopping before I traveled, but she could not afford much. I never expected more. Even the little she gave felt like something to hold on to. “Yes, this is everything I brought.” I set my luggage down. “There isn’t much.” my face dropped. Before I could react, Andres stepped forward and took the suitcase from my hand. His expression softened, then brightened. “Dear, it's fine if you don’t have much.” He smiled gently. “Uncle…” The word felt foreign on my tongue. I hesitated before saying it, unsure if it was too soon or I would just be making things awkward between after all, I'm already a grown woman. But I had never had someone like him before—someone who treated me like I belonged. His eyes lit up, his cheek redden then he looked across the street, “Do you want to grab something to drink before we return to the villa?” I nodded and we walked side by side down the street. “I’m so hungry

STELLA POV “Thank you for the cake. We'll enjoy it and welcome you to the neighborhood,” a voice called out cheerfully. The door shut in front of me. I moved to the next door, plate still in hand. I knocked lightly, shifting the plate in my hands. “It’s me… your new neighbor. I’m sharing a little slice of cake with my neighbors… since I just moved in.” Silence. I knocked again then I heard some scuffling inside the room. His voice rang out before I could knock again. “That’s not a tradition here.” a voice said. The door opened slightly. I saw his face peek through the slightly ajar door, a figure moving behind him. “You must be from America.” The door opened wider. “It’s you again!” Alejandro exclaimed. My smile froze in my face. Now that I'm here, I have nothing to say. “How come I’m seeing you twice now?” he asked. “We didn’t hook up once before… or did we?” I raised a brow, “No, we did not.” “Then why are you stalking me?” The corners of my mouth tightening. Wh

STELLA POV 8 MONTHS LATER It had been here since I started the exam, and now I was back again. I was nervous, hoping I still remembered everything I had learned and prepared for. “If the coefficient is—” The pain hit like lightning, stabbing through my lower abdomen. The paper before me blurred. My knees buckled slightly. Hands pressed instinctively against my stomach. “What… what’s happening right now?” I looked down at the exam papers again. A hot warmth stream down my thighs and legs, forming a pool on the floor. I shouldn’t have come to write this exam today. It was my due week. I had known it, but I didn’t want to miss my exam. I had thought: since I hadn’t given birth yesterday, surely today I could manage. But now— My stomach clenched again, unrelenting What do I do? What do I do? How do I get to the hospital? The pain was unbearable. Why did it hurt this much? What could I do to relieve it? I can't stand it. I wanted the pain gone, but I also needed to give