Page 141 of The Baby Twist
After getting dressed, I went to the kitchen. Miles glanced up at me from his phone as he sat at the table.
“Morning, Stella. Tea?” Dora asked.
“Morning, Dora. Thank you.”
“What is with you and tea lately?” Miles asked as I sat down across from him.
“I like tea. I go through a tea phase every once in a while.” I smiled, staring at him, remembering how his strong arms held me all night.
He stood up from his chair. “I have to get to the office.” He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a good day,” I said.
“You too. Have fun in school.” He winked with a smile.
My second class ended early. When Sean picked me up, I had him take me to Starbucks. Even though I was tired as hell, I craved an iced coffee.
“You can go,” I said to him as he opened the car door for me. “I’m going to walk around and do a little shopping.”
“Call me when you’re ready to be picked up.” He smiled.
“I can take a cab home.”
“I don’t think Miles would like that, Stella.”
“Miles doesn’t have to know, does he?” A smirk crossed my lips as I patted his chest.
I walked down the street, sipping my decaf iced coffee, when I ran into Uncle Ben.
“Ben,” I said.
“Stella, what a nice surprise.” He smiled. “How’s married life?”
“It’s amazing,” I lied.
He glanced at his watch. “I have some time before I have to get to a meeting around the corner. Let’s sit and talk for a bit.”
“Sure,” I spoke nervously.
We crossed the street and took a seat on a bench.
“You’re a smart girl, Stella. For goodness sake, you’re a psychologist. You have to see the issues with Miles.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ben.”
“You do know what I’m talking about. Your marriage to my nephew is fake. I’m not stupid. He married you to gain control of Bradshaw Capital. How does he treat you?”
“He treats me good.”
“It's Impossible. Miles doesn’t know how to be in a relationship. The man has a heart of stone, and you’re going to get hurt. The only life he knows how to live is the business life. That’s his life—it always has been—and you won’t change that. I saw the way you looked at him at dinner that night. You’re in love with him.”
“Of course I am. If I weren’t, I never would have married him.” I sipped my coffee.
“Don’t bullshit me, Stella. You’re a nice girl, and Miles will hurt you. You don’t deserve that. Think about what you’re doing. You would be smart to get out of this marriage now and save yourself the heartache and pain that will come.”
“You want me to end my marriage so Miles can’t gain control of his company. You don’t care about me or my feelings, Ben.”
He stood up and stared at me. “I do care, Stella. You’re a pawn in his game. A game that will ultimately destroy you. You may walk away a rich woman, but your heart and self-worth will suffer. I have to get to my meeting.” He walked away.
