Chapter 167

Megan hadn't meant to, but her words had gone deeper than she intended. She looked at Stella and let out a soft sigh. She wasn't just speaking to Stella. She was speaking to herself. Life would only go smoothly once one had finally let go and moved on. Letting go didn't mean forgetting. It meant no longer caring. Everything tied to Howard no longer had the power to hurt her. None of it could hurt her anymore. Megan was still learning to accept that. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How ridiculous, confiding such thoughts to a child. She thought Stella wouldn't understand. But the next moment, Stella wrapped her arms around her. Her body trembled with determination, her thin arms barely reaching around Megan, yet her hug was firm. "I won't call him 'Daddy,'" Stella said in a muffled voice. Stella added, "Aunt Megan, we're going to be just fine." She lifted her head, her voice quiet but steady. "It's like when my real parents didn't want me. They were the wrong people. B