Chapter 424
Chapter 424
After Ariana was led away, the living room was left with Neil and me, together with Stella and Mitch.
The atmosphere was stiff as a board. I was the first to break the silence, turning to Mitch, “Mitch, did you see Ariana drinking from Stella’s cup just now?”
Mitch seemed lost for words.
Stella quickly interjected. “Of course he saw, but did nothing to stop it. In his eyes, it’s a minor matter. Soon, our kids and I will be just as insignificant to him. So, before that happens, let’s divorce. I want custody of all three kids. I don’t care about anything else!”
As she spoke, her emotions escalated, teetering on the brink of tears.
Stella never cared about money; she could well afford to raise thirty kids, let alone three. What hurt her was Mitch’s growing indifference towards her, the dwindling of his undivided
attention.
Twon’t agree!” Mitch blurted out.
“To what exactly? Not agreeing to divorce Stella, or not agreeing to give the kids to Stella?” I asked bluntly.
Mitch hesitated, and this reaction sent a chill down my spine.
If he disagreed with the divorce, he would have answered immediately. But his hesitation suggested that he was torn between the two options.
When a woman is no longer a man’s only choice, it signifies that the love has soured.
Stella’s face fell, her eyes suddenly filling with sorrow. She spun around and headed for the bedroom.
I rushed forward to stop her, “Stella, wait, wherea
are y
you going?”
“I’m taking my kids back to Rosemont, back to my home!” Stella’s voice was uncharacteristically cold and hard.
Mitch followed her upon seeing this.
As Stella held the kid, ready to leave, Mitch blocked her way.
I positioned myself between them, wary of any potential conflict.
“I never thought about divorce, okay?” Mitch softened his tone, a pleading note in his voice. “I admit my mistake with Ariana. I just saw her, a woman of her age, living alone with a child, and felt sorry for her. I helped her a few times, but I never did anything inappropriate with her, really!”
I didn’t believe his explanation.
From Mitch’s promotion of Ariana, and his defense of her earlier, it was clear that it was more than just pity.
“Mitch, do you actually believe what you just said?” Stella looked at Mitch coldly. “When we got married, I told you that if you ever changed your heart, even slightly, I wouldn’t tolerate it.”
Mitch was left speechless. He reached out to hold the child, but I blocked him, “The kid is still so young, let Stella take the kid. You won’t be able to take care of children.”
Mitch disagreed, “How can I not take care of my children? I help with my three kids every day after work. Is she the only one who can?”
The tension was palpable. It was clear that the conflict between them had been simmering for a while.
“All you do is help change the diapers, hold the kids, and make the formula. What else can you do?” Stella was inflamed, her voice rising.
Their argument woke the kids, who began crying loudly.
I had to take Serena and Brandon to the nursery and place them in their stroller.
Stella’s child was also crying. She had to soothe her child and argue with Mitch at the same time, and I was frustrated just watching. I wished I could slap some sense into Mitch!
“Mitch Hebert!” Neil finally spoke, a hint of reproach in his eyes. “You were wrong. Get your act together!”
Neil siding with Stella was unexpected.
Even Mitch was confused. “Neil, I did nothing wrong. You know there’s nothing between Ariana and me. Why should I always be the one to apologize?”
“You were wrong the moment you treated her differently than others,” Neil’s response was straightforward and impressive.
Apparently, all men understand this; they just pretend not to.
Mitch was left speechless. Seeing Stella’s resolute expression, he reluctantly stepped aside, “Fine, when you come to your senses, I’ll come get you.”
Stella scoffed at his remark, “No need for that. Let your parents know I’ll pick up Leila and Quincy.”
Upon hearing that his older kids would also be taken away, Mitch panicked, “We aren’t divorced yet. Is this necessary? Let’s talk things over first!”
“Until we do, I want my children with me. Mitch, I endured the pain to give birth to all three of them. If your family wants to fight for them, I’ll fight tooth and nall!” Stella was visibly agitated
when it came to the children.
Perhaps all mothers are like this.
I also feared the Whitmore family taking my children away, so I’d rather let them consider Russel as their father.
Seeing the impending argument, I stepped in, “Enough, you’re scaring the children. Stella, let’s go outside. You can come to my place for a bit.”
Stella shot Mitch a glare before leaving with her child and me. As we left, I told Mitch, “You better think things through!”
Mitch bowed his head in silence while Neil followed us out. “I’ll drive you two home.”
“No need. Talk some sense into Mitch. He’s really crossed the line!” I was also fed up, mostly with Mitch’s attitude.
“You’ve injured your hand. She’s also emotionally unstable. It’s not safe for either of you to drive. I’ll take you home and then come back.” Neil insisted, “Drive your car. I don’t have a car seat in mine.”
He was thoughtful on that.
My finger did throb a bit, but it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t drive.
The main concern was the three babies.
I handed Neil the car keys.
Stella sat in the back with the children and Serena and Brandon, and I took the passenger seat.
Stella was quiet throughout the ride, a stark contrast to her usual self. But she did ask Neil a few questions, all regarding Mitch and Ariana.
She was hoping to get some sort of confirmation from Neil, hoping to find out if Mitch and Ariana had ever been an item.
I knew that even though she had filed for divorce, she wasn’t completely detached. Deep down, she still cared about this matter.
“They never had anything substantial going on, it’s just that Mitch tends to look out for Ariana sometimes,” Neil answered, though I wasn’t sure if he was shielding his good old buddy
“A married man taking care of a divorced woman, how interesting,” I sarcastically remarked out of the blue.
Neil glanced at me, just a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
I couldn’t quite figure out what that smile meant.
