Chapter 2They All Chose Her

Stella stood there, a vision in a simple white dress, her face a canvas of tears. She stumbled forward, her high heels clicking a frantic, sharp rhythm on the marble floor.

Even in this state, she was the picture of tragic grace. The little princess the Monroe family had meticulously crafted for over twenty years. Every movement, even a panicked sob, was more refined than anything I could ever manage. She looked heartbreakingly beautiful.

"Mom, Dad, please… please don't leave me," she cried.

Every eye in the room was fixed on her.

My mother was the first to move, breaking into a run, her own tears flowing freely. "Stella, my baby, don't be scared. Mama's here."

My father followed, his usual stoicism crumbling. The man I'd never seen show emotion had red-rimmed eyes. He reached them, wrapping his arms around my mother, who was already holding Stella, pulling them both into a tight, protective embrace.

Carter watched them, a profound sigh of relief escaping his lips. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Stella was pure, undiluted love.

Liam glanced back at me, a slow, disappointed shake of his head.

I ignored him.

Painfully, I pushed myself to my feet. A sharp pain shot through my ankle; I must have twisted it when I fell.

I started to limp away, in the opposite direction of the family tableau. I didn't get two steps before a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back.

I stumbled, turning to find myself face-to-face with Liam.

"Chloe," he said, his voice low and intense. "Tonight… you disappointed me more than I can say."

He wouldn't let go of my arm. "I always thought you were tough, resilient. I never thought you'd resort to cheap tricks like this to get attention."

His grip tightened. "Stella has already given back everything she ever had to you. Why can't you just leave her alone? Why did you have to push her to the edge at a time like this?"

He finally let go, his final question hanging in the air like a judgment. "Chloe, what happened to you?"