THE WIFE HE COULDN’T KEEP

Chapter 13

Stella straightened her blazer and stepped out of the car.

The Grand Convention Center loomed before her, glittering with glass and steel. Business executives streamed through the entrance. Cameras flashed. Reporters shouted questions.

She hated these events. The politics. The posturing. The endless networking.

But the Hayes Hotel Group was a major sponsor. Her presence was required.

Bryan took her hand. "You look nervous."

She squeezed his fingers. "I hate these things."

"I know. But I'll be right beside you." He smiled. "And when it's over, I'm taking you to dinner. Just the two of us."

She felt herself relax. "That sounds perfect."

They walked into the convention center together.

***

Joshua Sterling stood at the bar, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

He'd been here for an hour. Waiting. Watching. He knew Stella would be here. He'd seen her name on the guest list.

He needed to talk to her. He needed to tell her he was sorry. He needed to see her face.

But he hadn't seen her yet. And the waiting was killing him.

Then the doors opened.

She walked in with Bryan Taylor on her arm.

Joshua's heart stopped. She was beautiful. Radiant. Confident. The red dress hugged her curves. Her hair was swept up. Her smile was bright.

She was happy. Truly happy.

And she was with someone else.

Joshua watched them move through the crowd. Stella laughed at something Bryan said. Bryan's hand was on her lower back. He leaned in close, whispering something in her ear.

Stella smiled. She looked at Bryan with such warmth. Such trust.

Joshua's stomach churned. He couldn't stand here any longer. He had to talk to her.

He set down his glass and walked toward her.

***

Stella was mid-conversation with a business associate when she felt it.

A prickle at the back of her neck. The awareness of being watched.

She turned.

Joshua Sterling was walking toward her.

Her blood ran cold. Her grip tightened on her glass. He was the last person she wanted to see. The last person she wanted to talk to.

"Stella." His voice was desperate. "I need to talk to you."

She didn't move. Her face was ice. "Mr. Sterling. This is neither the time nor the place."

"Please. Just give me five minutes."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Stella, please"

"I said no." Her voice was sharp. Cold. "You don't get to do this. Not here. Not now. Not ever."

People were turning to look. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Bryan stepped forward, his body positioning itself between Stella and Joshua.

"Is there a problem here?" Bryan's voice was calm. Controlled. But his eyes were hard.

Joshua glared at him. "This doesn't concern you."

"Stella is my girlfriend. Anything that concerns her concerns me."

The word hit Joshua like a punch to the gut. Girlfriend. She was his girlfriend. She'd moved on. She was with someone else.

Joshua's jaw tightened. "I just need to talk to her. That's all."

"She doesn't want to talk to you." Bryan's voice was ice. "You need to leave."

Joshua looked past Bryan, his eyes locking on Stella. "Stella, please. Just listen to me. That's all I'm asking. Just five minutes."

Stella stared at him. Her face was hard. Unreadable.

"Bryan, can you please escort me away from him?"

Bryan stepped forward. "You heard her. Leave now. Or I'll make you leave."

Joshua opened his mouth to argue. Then he stopped.

What was he doing? He couldn't do this. Not here. Not in front of everyone. She'd made her choice. She'd moved on. She was happy.

He had no right to interfere.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have come."

He turned and walked away.

***

Joshua stormed out of the convention center.

He didn't know where he was going. He didn't care. He just needed to get away. Away from Stella. Away from Bryan. Away from the truth that was tearing him apart.

She'd moved on. She was happy. She was with someone else.

He'd lost her forever.

He stopped in the middle of the street. His hands were shaking. His heart was pounding.

He'd finally done it. He'd finally accepted it.

She didn't want him. She didn't want anything from him. She'd made that clear.

There was nothing left to say.

***

Inside the convention center, Stella was shaking.

Bryan had his arm around her, guiding her away from the crowd. They found a quiet corner near the back of the room.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Stella nodded. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine." He cupped her face gently. "Talk to me."

She looked up at him. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"He just keeps showing up. Everywhere I go. He won't leave me alone."

Bryan pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry he won't stop."

Stella buried her face in his chest. "I just want to move on. I want to be happy. Why won't he let me?"

"Because he's selfish," Bryan said quietly. "Because he can't see that he's hurting you. But I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Whatever he does, I'll be right beside you."

Stella closed her eyes and leaned into him.

She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe she could be happy.

But Joshua's face kept appearing in her mind. The desperation in his eyes. The way he'd said her name.

She didn't know what he wanted. She didn't know why he kept coming back.

But she was tired of fighting him. Tired of running. Tired of the past refusing to stay buried.

She just wanted to be happy.

***

Across the city, Joshua sat on a park bench, staring at nothing.

He'd made a fool of himself. He'd humiliated himself in front of everyone. And for what? So Stella could reject him again?

He'd lost her. He'd lost everything.

His phone buzzed. His investigator.

"Sir, I have something. The fingerprint. It's a partial match. I need a sample from someone close to you to confirm."

Joshua stared at the screen. He didn't care anymore. He didn't care about who framed Stella. He didn't care about the truth.

She didn't want him. She didn't want anything from him.

What was the point?

He ended the call and dropped his phone beside him.

He sat in the darkness, alone.