Is This Regret?

"Isn't he right there? He signed your surgical consent letter.

I guess you’re her husband. Didn't I tell you before that you need to watch her constantly while she's unconscious? Where did you go? Count yourself lucky that nothing happened to her. You should get the admission procedures done."

The doctor tore off a hospital form and passed it to Noel before leaving the ward.

"He's not my husband!"

Stella was still trying to explain long after the doctor left. For some reason, Noel felt a little unsettled about this.

"That's enough. I've already taken you to the hospital, haven’t I? Are you still playing hard to get? It's about time you stopped this game."

He placed a bag on the table. His tone softened when he saw the gauze on Stella’s head.

"It's still hot. Have a bite."

Stella was taken aback to see the familiar logo.

Every time she was sick, Stella would get all princessy and refuse to eat anything. Noel would go dozens of miles away and get into a long queue to buy this strawberry tart to cheer her up.

However, he stopped pampering her this way after finding out about the marriage alliance in her past life, and it was the same in this life as well.

Stella looked at the piping hot pie but did nothing. She closed her eyes softly.

The next second, she heard Noel's hesitant voice.

"Sophie didn't do it on purpose. Don't give her any trouble over what happened."

So, he was doing this because of Sophie.

Stella opened her eyes and laughed until she cried. "Noel, what she did was intentional injury. I'm reporting this to the police. She deserves to be punished."

Noel's expression froze. He got exasperated.

"I bought you something and apologized on her behalf. Don't push this any further, Stella."

Stella smiled when Noel failed to keep up the pretense. She looked at him with reddened eyes. It was a silent stand-off.

Noel soon rubbed his temples. He knew how stubborn Stella was. He sighed heavily.

"Let's come to a compromise. You're just losing your temper because you want me to marry you. I'll give you a wedding. Our families are preparing that wedding you've always wanted. Are you happy now?"

Stella lowered her eyes when she saw Noel trying to reason with her. She could not help remembering the past.

Noel did not show up for their wedding in her past life.

He was disgusted with her and the wedding. Now, he was relenting because of Sophie's sake.

Even though he did not like Stella, he ended up marrying her in the end. It was probably because his family had threatened him.

Sophie was his only weakness and the daughter of a maid. It was easy to force him to marry the heiress.

Noel would definitely give in.

However, Stella was not going to repeat that mistake in this life.

She decided to make things clear.

"I don't need you for the wedding. You're not the groom. It won't affect anything even if you don't show up."

Noel was enraged. He was about to lose his temper when his phone rang.

When he saw Sophie's name, he turned to leave without a care.

Stella watched the door close slowly and picked up her phone to call the police.

After explaining the situation, she found out something unexpected.

"I'm sorry, Miss Judd. We were informed that the car accident was unintentional. Your fiance signed off on the settlement. You can't make an official report now."

Stella could hardly breathe when she heard the reply.

Exhaling and inhaling became extremely difficult.

Stella flung her phone onto the wall. She felt the pain from her limbs extend into her heart. In the end, she could no longer take it, and her sobs echoed in the empty ward.

Noel would visit her almost every day with fruits and soup. He even got several doctors to work together to tend to her injuries.

Stella's emotions had stabilized, and she ignored Noel throughout.

Noel got slightly anxious when he saw how cold she was to him. He had no idea why she was being difficult.

However, he tolerated it because she was still recovering.

Stella refused to get into his car on the day she was discharged. He could no longer take it and started to threaten her.

"When are you going to stop throwing a tantrum when I've already given in to you? Aren't you afraid I'll refuse to marry you if you continue this?"

Stella knew there was no use explaining things when he did not believe anything. She lowered her head and pretended not to hear him.

Noel thought she was finally relenting, and his mood improved. He even started to speak in a nicer tone.

"Don't lose your temper like that again. I'm taking you back for a family dinner because my Uncle Eric is back today. He's the head of the Chiltons and will be announcing our marriage alliance to everyone in the family tonight. You have to be there since I've agreed to the marriage. I'll give you a grand wedding. Happy now?"