My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 72: Did You Marry Owen Rhodes to Get Revenge on Ethan Rhodes?
’Owen Rhodes must be a seasoned player,’ Stella thought.
’How else could he be so good with all these sweet nothings?’
She had been avoiding him, purely out of embarrassment over her drunken confession the other day. But she never imagined it would end with a confession from Owen himself.
The unease and panic in her heart were instantly washed away, leaving nothing behind but a racing heart.
She could guess her face must be bright red; it was burning so hot she felt like she was about to catch fire.
She didn’t know why her heart was beating so fast, either.
It was just a confession. It wasn’t as if she’d never heard one before.
A straightforward foreign boy in her art class had told her he liked her, and Ethan Rhodes had said he liked her during his surprise confession on her 20th birthday. But never before had her heart pounded like it was about to leap out of her chest.
Just as she was feeling completely at a loss, Owen gently patted her back and said, "I know this is a lot to take in all at once, and you need time to sort out your feelings. That’s okay. Take your time. I’ll give you all the space you need to think, but you can’t leave me to an empty bed anymore, okay?"
Owen’s embrace was warm, and his voice was warm, too. Stella’s slightly tense body gradually relaxed at his words. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Okay."
Owen reassuringly stroked her head before letting her go. "Alright, go wash up and get some rest. You haven’t been sleeping well these past few days, have you?"
Stella let out a perfectly timed yawn. "How did you know?"
"Mrs. Rhodes, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes."
"..."
Owen didn’t let go of her hand, leading her all the way back to the master bedroom.
Along the way, Stella asked about the cross-industry collaboration he had just mentioned. Owen said that if she was interested, she could go talk to Silas Jacobs in person another day.
But then, as if something occurred to him, he quickly asked, "Stella, about you being Umi... you still don’t want people to know, right?"
Stella nodded. "Mhm, why?"
"Then have Ken talk to Silas Jacobs on your behalf."
Silas Jacobs had a big mouth.
However, Owen didn’t explain any further. Stella was used to listening to him, so she didn’t ask any more questions. Whatever he said, went.
While Stella was taking a shower, Owen received a message from Liam Hawthorne.
Liam Hawthorne: [President Rhodes, regarding the painting you commissioned, the artist’s agent just called. They said the artist is experiencing a creative block and hopes for an extension on the deadline.]
[Mm, I’m not in a hurry. Let them work at the artist’s pace.]
"..."
Liam Hawthorne was speechless, but he still quickly relayed Owen’s message to the artist’s agent.
He put down his phone, feeling deeply disgruntled.
’What does Owen even see in this young artist? He commissions several pieces a year, always pays generously, and is incredibly lenient with deadlines.’
’Is this still Owen?’
’At Kyros, Owen’s word is law.’
’If he sets a deadline for a document, being even one second late is a cardinal sin.’
’But this young artist! They’ve never once submitted a piece on time!’
’And yet! Owen is so indulgent!’
’This is so out of character. Something’s fishy.’
...
Owen was right about one thing: Stella really hadn’t rested well during the days she’d been hiding out in her studio.
While washing up in the master bathroom, perhaps because of the spotlights, Stella’s dark circles looked especially prominent. She startled herself when she saw them.
That night, with Owen beside her like a personal furnace, she finally found her way back to sleeping like a baby.
Owen, however, was miserable.
’But what can I do? I’m the one who said I couldn’t sleep well without her. What choice do I have but to suffer through the night? I’ll just have to bear it.’
The next day, Stella slept in until she woke up naturally.
When she woke up, Owen had already been gone for a long time.
While she was eating breakfast, Mr. Joel suddenly walked into the dining room, looking nervous.
He glanced at Stella with some trepidation and said, "Ma’am, the old master is here."
Stella didn’t register who he meant at first. "The old master?"
"Er, the master’s father."
Only then did it click for Stella. He meant Bernard Rhodes, the man she used to call "Grandpa Rhodes."
She quickly put down her chopsticks and rushed upstairs, calling back, "I’m just going to change! I’ll be right down! Mr. Joel, please entertain him for a moment!"
Stella quickly changed into a moonlight-white lace dress and, in a flash, freshened up her still-sleepy face before coming back downstairs.
When she reached the living room, Bernard Rhodes was sitting ramrod straight on the sofa, his hand gripping a Purple Sandalwood Walking Stick.
She had thought Rhodes had come alone, but she was surprised to see Yolanda Thorne and Kiana Sterling sitting beside him.
Stella put on a demure smile and walked over to Bernard Rhodes.
She wanted to greet him, but the proper form of address was stuck in her throat, feeling impossible to say.
’He’s in his eighties. Calling him "Dad" is just too...’
Bernard Rhodes finally couldn’t stand the silence and spoke first. "You’re the Sterling family’s younger daughter?"
Just then, Tate came over with tea. Stella respectfully placed the teacup in front of him. "Yes. My name is Stella Sterling."
"I remember you," Bernard Rhodes said, his voice strong and resonant.
As for *why* he remembered her, that didn’t need to be said.
"I hear you’re Owen’s new wife?"
Stella took a deep breath. "Yes, Father."
The moment the word "Father" left her lips, three pairs of eyes in the living room snapped to her.
Stella kept her gaze lowered, hearing only Bernard Rhodes’s breathing grow heavier and more ragged.
After a long moment, his Purple Sandalwood Walking Stick slammed onto the floor. "Did you do this on purpose to get revenge on Ethan?"
’Revenge on Ethan Rhodes?’
’What nonsense.’
"I didn’t..."
"I don’t care why you married Owen," Bernard Rhodes cut her off, his voice a command. "Divorce him immediately! The Rhodes Family cannot afford to become such a laughingstock!"
’Why does every single person insist that Owen and I get a divorce?’
Stella didn’t understand, and she was utterly exasperated.
She walked over to a nearby armchair and sat down, looking at Bernard Rhodes. "Father, a divorce isn’t something I can decide on my own. You seem intent on persuading us to split up. I wonder, is Owen aware of this?"
"What difference does it make if he’s aware or not? Am I no longer the master of the Rhodes Family?!"
Stella remained seated comfortably, doing her best to sound respectful. "Father, I heard from Owen that you promised long ago not to interfere in his marriage. It was even written into a contract. Now that you’re going back on your word, are you willing to bear the consequences stipulated in the breach of contract clause?"
Stella felt there was nothing wrong with what she’d said, but Yolanda Thorne, who was sitting to the side, stared at her. "Are you threatening Father with those words?"
Stella froze at her words, but a moment later, a smile graced her lips. "Sister-in-law, you’ve got it all wrong. How is this a threat? I’m simply showing my concern for Father~"
Yolanda Thorne’s brow furrowed. ’Sister-in-law? Who are you calling sister-in-law?!’
