Tell Stella to Come Crawling Back

That evening, Julian’s collapse by the river made the headlines.

Everyone online was talking about how deeply he loved me.

And once again, they dug up my background: the unwanted bastard from an orphanage.

“For anyone who needs a reminder, Stella Whitmore isn’t some born heiress. She was an orphan nobody wanted. I heard the family only adopted her because a fortune-teller said she’d bring them luck.”

“One look at her face tells you she’s calculating. And unlucky. A rich family takes her in, and instead of being grateful, she seduces her own adoptive brother. Still, having a man as gorgeous and devoted as Julian love her? She got more than she deserved.”

“Some people aren’t meant for that kind of life. An orphan becomes CEO, then marries Julian Whitmore? Too much good fortune for someone like her. Look what happened. Married in the morning, wrecked and missing that night.”

“More than seventy-two hours. She’s probably dead.”

“Sorry, but she had years of luxury and still got to marry Julian. She used up several lifetimes of luck. An early death isn’t exactly unfair.”

Inside the brightly lit villa, Julian sat on the sofa, reading the comments on his tablet.

His face grew darker by the minute.

“What is this?” he demanded of Gavin. “I told you to get her name off the trending lists. I want people moving on, not talking about Stella nonstop.”

Julian wanted the reputation of a loving husband. He wanted public sympathy.

But too much attention cut both ways.

Gavin looked helpless.

“It’s your father’s decision, sir. The company’s stock has climbed quite a bit over the last two days, ever since the news of your wife’s disappearance broke. Chairman Whitmore said that after all the years the family spent raising her, she should still contribute something, dead or alive.”

My adoptive father making money off my blood didn’t surprise me at all.

Throughout my years with the Whitmores, both my adoptive parents had treated me coldly. Only when I made money for the company did they occasionally soften their expressions and offer some empty acknowledgment of my hard work.

Julian frowned. Before he could reply, Richard Whitmore called.

“Dad.”

My adoptive father’s deep, commanding voice came through the phone.

“What the hell is Stella playing at now? Tell her to get back here. She already pulled this missing-person publicity stunt two years ago. Once was enough. She’d better not take it so far she embarrasses this family.”

A publicity stunt?

For a moment, I couldn’t understand.

Then I realized he meant my kidnapping two years earlier.

But that kidnapping had been real.

Surely Richard knew that better than anyone?

Business was full of schemes, open attacks, and threats from the shadows. I had survived several attempted kidnappings and assaults.

That time had been different.

Julian and I had been in the same car. To protect him, I deliberately drew the kidnappers’ attention and led them away.

When I regained consciousness, they had me.

My hands were tied behind my back. I was blindfolded and gagged.

With everything else cut off, every sound seemed painfully clear.

I heard them talking.

“Fuck. Aren’t the Whitmores loaded? They won’t even pay a few million? They offered seven million when their dog went missing. This bitch isn’t worth as much as the family pet.”

“They want proof we’re serious. Cut off an arm and send it to them.”

“Why waste her that fast? How often do guys like us get a woman who looks like Stella Whitmore? Nobody’s finding this place. Let’s have our fun first.”

Filthy laughter.

Footsteps coming closer.

I forced myself to stay calm.

Then I broke my own thumb and worked my hand free of the ropes.

I had only one thought.

I had to live.

If I died, who would protect Julian?

Just then, a disturbance erupted outside.

Someone had broken in.