Chapter 100

Stella sat quietly in Mrs. Green's backyard, cradling a warm cup of tea in her hands. Mrs. Green was the kind of neighbor everyone wished for—always kind-hearted and eager to help. Ever since Stella moved here, she'd been constantly looking out for her, chatting with her, helping with daily stuff. Stella was really grateful. Life here wasn't fancy, but it gave her a kind of peace she hadn't felt in years. No more scheming or drama. Her mood had improved a lot, which was just what she needed during her pregnancy. But most importantly, there was no Isabelle or Charles interfering anymore. For the first time in a long while, things actually felt... right. What surprised her most was how painless the breakup with Charles had been. She thought it would crush her, but it didn't. All she felt was relief. The man she once loved so deeply now felt like nothing more than an unpleasant memory. Since moving in, Thomas had been visiting from time to time. She'd made it clear early on that she didn'