Chapter 1242 Love Is Love
Stella's hands unconsciously tightened around her skirt as she hugged her knees closer. So everything Hannah had said was true?
"Why did she run?" Her voice carried a jealous edge, tinged with envy she didn't even recognize herself.
Randy found her reaction amusing and spoke slowly, "She left a note. Said she thought she loved me, but realized right before the wedding that she didn't—that she loved someone else. Being with me had just become a habit."
He took a deep breath, forcing down the bitterness and managing a strained smile. "Though maybe it's for the best. Better to discover you love someone else before the wedding than after. Cutting losses early beats living with regret."
After hearing his explanation, Stella's anger began to dissipate. "So you're saying she dumped you?"
Randy ruffled her hair gently. "That's right—she dumped me. I thought your aunt and uncle would have told you about it. I went to Country D to clear my head after everything happened. Otherwise, with my crazy schedule touring nationwide, the only time I'd see you would probably be at weddings."
Now he found himself oddly grateful. Thank God they hadn't married—a forced marriage would have made neither of them happy.
"That's ridiculous! Just because my parents know something doesn't mean I automatically know it too. I..." Stella started defensively, but her voice trailed off mid-sentence.
A distant memory slowly surfaced in her mind.
"I heard Randy's fiancée disappeared."
"The Langley family has had everyone searching for days now. They've practically turned Sunset Bay upside down with no luck. Looks like she's really gone..."
"Randy's been searching like a madman. She's the only girl he's ever loved. Your aunt and uncle are worried sick that Andrea's departure might break him completely. Randy is just like Charles—when he loves, it's for life."
"So don't bother them these next few days. They're dealing with enough stress over Andrea's situation."
Her mother's words flashed through her mind like movie clips. Stella's eyes immediately grew guilty, darting everywhere except Randy's face.
She had known. She definitely had known.
Back when Charles and Hannah were caught up in their dramatic romance and suddenly returned to Sunset Bay, refusing to leave, she'd learned from her mother that Randy's bride had bolted on the eve of their wedding. Her parents hadn't explained the reasons then, so she'd remained unclear about the details.
She'd felt deep sympathy for Randy being so suddenly abandoned. But since she barely knew him at the time, the incident had quickly faded from memory. Nearly a year had passed, and she'd forgotten completely.
When Hannah brought it up, she hadn't remembered a thing. Instead, she'd felt betrayed that Randy had kept such important information from her.
She'd messed up. Badly.
Would Randy think she was being unreasonable? Would he be angry with her?
Seeing her sudden silence mid-sentence, Randy had already guessed the reason and tapped her forehead with a knowing smile. "What's this? Did you just remember?"
Stella hugged her knees tighter, hunching her shoulders and burying everything below her nose behind her arms, leaving only her innocent wide eyes visible. "Maybe there was something like that."
Randy shook his head helplessly, gazing at her with gentle amusement, not the least bit annoyed. "So this is what you were angry about?"
Stella pouted, stubbornly defending herself. "Well, you deliberately kept it from me."
Randy tapped her forehead again. "It's ancient history. I'm not so bored that I bring up old news for no reason."
Knowing she was in the wrong, Stella puffed out her cheeks and glared at him sullenly without speaking.
Randy sighed deeply, placing his palm on top of Stella's head. "It's been so long since all that happened. Andrea and I both have our own lives to live now. You need to stop dwelling on my past."
Feeling the warmth from his palm, Stella's heart began racing wildly again, sudden nervousness overtaking her.
Seeing her continued silence, Randy smiled. "Now that we've cleared up the misunderstanding, you aren't angry anymore, right?"
Stella's face flushed crimson. She'd been completely unreasonable, yet Randy wasn't angry at all—instead, he'd patiently comforted her. Randy was truly wonderful, so much better than Charles.
"So you really don't like Andrea anymore?" She remembered her mother mentioning that name.
She'd forgotten everything about it long ago, but somehow now she remembered with perfect clarity. Perhaps because this woman had almost married Randy.
Randy answered with complete honesty. "I don't like her anymore. She has the right to pursue her new life, so why should I keep clinging to the past?"
Stella blinked her dewy eyes at Randy, asking carefully, "But what if she suddenly came back wanting to reconcile?"
Randy laughed at her question, unable to resist flicking her forehead. "What goes on in that little head of yours every day? There aren't that many 'what-ifs' in life! She's probably already married by now. Since she chose that other man back then, why would she come back to me? You think love and marriage are games?"
Unsatisfied with his non-answer, Stella persisted, "But you're so wonderful, and handsome, and talented. What if she regrets it?"
Randy replied helplessly, "I'm not a $100 bill; not everyone's going to like me. Besides, those things you mentioned aren't what love is measured by. Like is like, and not-like is not-like—there don't have to be reasons. Even if everything you said represents my good qualities, that doesn't mean they'll attract every woman. Understand?"
Stella blinked. She seemed to understand, but something still felt off. After all that explanation, Randy still hadn't directly answered her question. If Andrea had a change of heart, would he take her back?
Not wanting to continue this topic, Randy deliberately changed the subject. "Since you're not angry anymore, want to grab a late dinner with me?"
Stella pressed her lips together. "Didn't you just eat?"
Randy smiled. "I only had a couple bites—I'm still hungry. Or we could just go for a walk, take a stroll. It's still early, and you wouldn't go to bed this soon anyway."
Stella felt a pang of concern. "Aren't you tired? You've been busy all day, and you'll be busy again tomorrow."
Randy shrugged it off. "Not tired. I've dealt with much worse during touring seasons."
Despite his casual words, Stella could see the fatigue in his eyes. Her heart ached for him, but she also didn't want to part ways so soon—she wanted to spend more time with him.
"Randy, why don't we just order delivery? We can eat here at the hotel and watch TV together."
Randy's voice was infinitely indulgent. "Whatever you want. Your call."
Seeing his agreement, Stella immediately brightened, her earlier gloom vanishing as she beamed with joy. Instantly forgetting all about Andrea, she grabbed her phone and started browsing the delivery options.
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