STELLA
The moment I saw Griselda, I felt my stomach churn. I didn’t have the energy for this. Not today, not ever. She stood there, her purse glinting under the light like a weapon made to destroy me. Whatever she had come to say, I already knew it wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Morning, Stella,” Griselda began, her voice sugar-laced poison. She pulled out the chair across from me without invitation, settling into it like she owned the place. “Didn’t expect to see you here all alone. Tristan usually hates letting his women fend for themselves.”
I forced a smile, gripping my coffee cup to steady myself. “Good morning, Griselda. Lovely to see you too.”
Her lips twisted into a smirk. “Polite. I see why Tristan likes you. He always had a thing for women who knew how to play nice.” She leaned in, h
