Chapter 172

Being trampled on like dirt—that was Stella's miserable reality. She let out a bitter laugh. What a fool she'd been to trust Charles all over again. "Grateful?" She gave a dry chuckle, voice low and hoarse. "Charles, your acting is top-notch. For a second there, I nearly bought it." Yeah, all those times he pretended to care—it all made sense now. It was just a show. Charles looked down at her from above with scorn curling on his lips. He reached out, fingers cool and sharp, gripping her chin and forcing her to look at him. "Stella, it's time to face the truth," he said, voice cold as frost. "You're nothing more than a prisoner. And I, I stand with the Carters." A prisoner? An ally of the Carter family? It would've been laughable if it didn't cut so deep. The signs had always been there—she just didn't want to see them. "You're right," she said quietly, her tone calm but carrying a sting. "I should've seen it sooner. I was an idiot to keep falling for your lies." His fingers twitched s