Chapter 57

Jason saw the way Charles stormed in like he was ready to interrogate someone and immediately started blinking at him like crazy, trying to give him a heads-up. But Charles didn't catch on at all. He reached out and grabbed Stella's arm. She winced in pain, trying to pull back, but he was way too strong—she couldn't shake him off. When she looked up and saw his eyes slightly red, she felt straight-up annoyed. Seriously? Was he trying to act all hurt and emotional now? Truth was, Charles really wanted to ask her about Sophie. But he knew damn well he didn't have the right to, and Stella would never tell him anyway. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, so Jason quickly stepped in to break the ice. "Hey hey, what are we doing just standing here? The food's gonna get cold. Let's eat first, yeah?" As he spoke, he tugged Charles toward the dining table. Charles finally let go of Stella's arm. She didn't keep resisting—she followed too, mostly because storming off now would look