Chapter 4: The past she cannot escape
1685 Words
Stella’s phone buzzed, slowing her steps. She glanced at the caller ID. It was Anna, her best friend. Stella sighed softly before answering and placing the phone against her ear.
“Hello,” Stella said.
“Girl! I heard you’re in town. Why didn’t you tell me? Are you sick or something? Do you know how much I missed you?” Anna’s voice exploded through the phone with excitement.
“Relax,” Stella replied calmly. “It’s only been three months. And why are you calling me like this?”
“Well, I went to your old place today, but your neighbors said they saw you leaving with luggage. Don’t tell me you went on vacation without me,” Anna said, sounding both offended and curious.
“I wasn’t on vacation,” Stella replied. “I relocated. I’ll send you my new address.”
“Okay,” Anna said.
Stella nodded even though Anna could not see her and ended the call.
Less than an hour later, the door suddenly burst open.
Anna rushed inside like a storm and immediately threw herself into Stella’s arms.
“I’ve missed you!” Anna said dramatically.
“Get off,” Stella said, pushing her away. “I’m not your boyfriend. When did we become this intimate?”
Anna rolled her eyes and dropped onto the couch.
“Fine, fine. Now tell me what’s going on. Why did you suddenly relocate?” she asked.
Stella didn’t hesitate.
“I’m divorcing Austin.”
Anna froze.
“What… did you just say?” she asked slowly.
“You heard me.”
Anna stared at her in disbelief.
“So you finally woke up from your one-sided love dream?”
“Stop it,” Stella said coldly.
Anna leaned forward.
“What about Aurora?”
“She’s with Austin.”
Anna’s eyes widened.
“You left Aurora with him? Stella, you know he hates you. What if he takes it out on her?”
“That won’t happen,” Stella replied calmly. “Aurora is comfortable with both Austin and Jasmine.”
Anna sighed.
“Well, she should be. Jasmine is your sister after all.”
“She is not my sister,” Stella snapped instantly. “And she never will be.”
Anna raised her hands defensively.
“Relax. But seriously, Jasmine is really something. First your father… now your husband.”
Stella looked away.
“This is all over now. I won’t even look at her again.”
“Does your father know?” Anna asked.
“Know what?”
“About Jasmine and Austin.”
Stella shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter. Knowing won’t change anything.”
Anna nodded slowly before suddenly brightening.
“Anyway, forget all that. Our high school set is having a reunion party soon. You should come.”
Stella shook her head immediately.
“Why would I go? It’s not like they want me there. I’m not ready to embarrass myself.”
Anna scoffed.
“Embarrass yourself? Stella, you’re doing better than half of them.”
“Really?” Stella laughed bitterly. “I spent seven years in a useless marriage and now I’m getting divorced. What could be worse than that?”
Anna leaned closer with a mischievous grin.
“Well… Felicia, the church choir girl, is now a prostitute.”
Stella nearly choked.
“What?”
Anna opened her mouth to explain but suddenly her phone rang.
She checked the screen.
It was her younger brother, Jin Ho.
“Wait,” she told Stella before answering.
“Hello?”
“A guy is here looking for you,” Jin Ho said. “He says his name is Jason.”
Anna jumped to her feet.
“Why are you just telling me now? I’ll be there in twenty seconds!”
“He just arrived,” Jin Ho replied calmly.
“Fine. Thanks.”
Anna hung up and grabbed her bag.
“Stella, I’ve got to go. My client is waiting.”
“Alright,” Stella said.
Anna waved quickly before rushing out of the house.
Stella watched the door close and exhaled softly. As much as she loved Anna, her energy could be exhausting.
The house finally felt quiet again.
What Stella didn’t know was that Austin and Aurora had already arrived in Seoul earlier that day.
Even if she had known, it would not have changed anything.
They were not in Seoul for her.
They had other plans.
Austin entered the mansion and typed the password on the door panel.
Aurora walked closely behind him like a little chick following its mother.
She barely paid attention to Austin.
All she could think about was Jasmine.
Although she had known Jasmine for less than a year, she adored her completely. It was almost as if Jasmine had slowly replaced Stella in Aurora’s heart.
Austin walked down the hallway and pushed open Stella’s bedroom door without knocking.
He assumed she would be inside—either sleeping or working on her laptop like she always did.
And when she saw him, she would probably jump up happily like she always did.
But the room was empty.
Austin frowned slightly.
He took out his phone and dialed the estate security guard.
“Hello,” Austin said.
“Hello, Mr. Luo. How may I help you?” Michael answered immediately.
“Did anything happen in my house?” Austin asked casually, avoiding the real reason for his call.
“No, sir. But I believe Mrs. Luo went on vacation,” Michael replied.
“Okay.”
Austin ended the call.
He didn’t ask any more questions.
Just like always, Stella’s whereabouts didn’t matter much to him.
Meanwhile, Stella lay on her bed after taking a cold shower.
She unplugged her phone from the charger and dialed another number.
“Hello,” Rose answered.
“Hey. Can you secure an audition ticket for me?” Stella asked.
Rose groaned loudly.
“Here we go again. Stella, you ask for this every year but never show up. The Managing Director was furious last year when he found out you didn’t come again.”
“Relax,” Stella said. “I’m serious this time.”
“You’re serious every time,” Rose replied.
She sighed.
“Fine. I’ll get it for you. But this is the last time, and only because we’re friends.”
Rose hung up before Stella could respond.
Stella and Rose had been best friends in high school.
Later, Rose moved overseas to study animation while Stella stayed in Seoul.
Not because she couldn’t leave.
But because she wanted to marry Austin at all costs.
Now, six years later, Stella was finally returning to the dream she had abandoned.
Animation.
However, she still doubted herself.
Six years was a long time to stop doing something you loved.
A few days later, Stella arrived at the audition hall.
Soft music echoed through the large venue, giving the entire place a professional and elegant atmosphere.
Stella quietly walked to an empty table in the middle of the hall.
“Stella? Is that you?”
A cheerful female voice sounded behind her.
Stella turned immediately.
“Rose!”
Rose opened her arms and Stella rushed into the hug.
“How have you been?” Rose asked happily.
“Good. What about you? Wow… you’ve changed so much. I almost didn’t recognize you,” Stella laughed.
“Same here,” Rose replied.
Both women burst into laughter.
“Look who finally showed up.”
A deeper voice interrupted them.
They turned to see the Managing Director, Mr. Chu.
“Mr. Chu! Is that really you?” Stella said excitedly.
“It certainly is,” he replied with a smile. “I must admit, I’m surprised you came. When Rose said she reserved a ticket for you, I had no expectations.”
“That’s my fault,” Stella admitted.
“So tell me,” Mr. Chu asked. “Why are you here?”
“For the competition,” Stella replied.
“You’re participating?” he asked curiously.
Stella shook her head.
“No. I just wanted to remember what it feels like to be an animator again. I lost that feeling years ago.”
Mr. Chu nodded thoughtfully.
“In that case… why not come back to us?”
“Yes!” Rose added immediately. “That’s a great idea.”
Stella laughed and shook her head.
“No. I’m planning to start an entirely new company.”
Mr. Chu smiled.
“I won’t try to persuade you. You’ve always been stubborn.”
He nodded politely.
“Enjoy the event.”
He then walked away toward the front counter.
Rose returned a moment later with two glasses of wine.
“Here,” she said, handing one to Stella.
“Thanks.”
They sat quietly for a moment before Rose suddenly leaned forward.
“What the hell is going on with you, Stella?”
Stella raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t understand.”
“I can’t explain it,” Rose said. “But something about you feels different.”
Stella took a slow sip of her wine.
“I have nothing to say about that.”
Rose sighed.
“Then come back to JK Animations.”
“No,” Stella replied immediately.
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t go back to my own vomit,” Stella said bluntly. “That would be humiliating.”
“Stella,” Rose said seriously, “everyone at JK respects you. They would be happy to have you back.”
“Stop trying to convince me.”
Rose smirked.
“You’re just pretending to be difficult. I know you’d love to come back.”
Stella leaned back in her chair.
“Even if I wanted to… I don’t trust my abilities anymore. It’s been six years.”
Rose proudly pointed at herself.
“Then learn again. From the boss.”
Stella burst into laughter.
“Maybe,” she admitted.
For the first time in years, the idea of starting over didn’t feel impossible.
And somewhere in Seoul, fate was quietly preparing for Stella and Austin to cross paths again.
- Writer
