Chapter 1252 Taking Root in the Heart
Night had already fallen outside. Randy didn't take Stella back to Sunshine Manor, instead driving her straight to the hotel.
"It's getting late—you need to rest properly. Don't go wandering around for the next couple of days. Charles's wedding is the day after tomorrow, and we've got a big day ahead of us. I don't want anything going wrong." After giving her these instructions, Randy prepared to leave.
Seeing him about to go, Stella's mind went blank for a moment, and before she could think, her hand had already grabbed the hem of his shirt. "You're leaving?"
Randy glanced at his watch and nodded. "It's already eight o'clock—I need to get going. I've left the candy on the coffee table for you. I'll call Uncle Maximilian and Aunt Carol later to fill them in on what happened today. If you feel unwell at all, call them immediately. They're staying at the hotel too, so they're close by. It would take me too long to get here."
His instructions were thorough and careful, but the more detailed they became, the more anxious Stella felt—as if he might never come looking for her again.
"But I'll be bored all by myself. I slept for so long at the hospital that I won't be able to sleep alone tonight." Her voice carried a pitiful, wounded quality.
Randy almost softened again, but managed to steel himself at the last moment. "If you're bored, play on your phone or watch some TV. Be good and rest at the hotel for the next two days—save your energy for Hannah's wedding. I don't want you having any episodes."
"What about you?" Stella asked anxiously.
"I'll probably be pretty busy these next couple of days. There are still a few final details Charles and I need to confirm together."
"I—" Stella was about to excitedly suggest coming along when Randy cut her off. "Absolutely not."
Stella's expression grew even more dejected as she looked at him with wounded eyes. Randy's voice softened with gentle resignation. "You just fainted from low blood sugar today—you need to rest properly at the hotel for the next two days. If you're really bored, go to Sunshine Manor and visit Hannah. But you definitely can't come running around with me. If you faint again, Hannah won't have a maid of honor, and you're the only one she asked."
Stella looked down, biting her lower lip. "But..."
She knew Randy was right—this was a crucial time, and she should listen to him instead of clinging and making unreasonable demands. But the thought of not seeing him for the next few days filled her with inexplicable panic. Only when she could see him constantly did her heart feel at peace.
Seeing her pitiful expression, Randy couldn't bring himself to be harsh, affectionately ruffling her hair. "No more 'buts.' Be good and listen to me. I'll come see you when I have time. It's only two days apart, and after the wedding we'll be heading back to Country D—then I can spend every day with you."
Though Stella felt reluctant in every way, she knew he was telling the truth. This was her best friend's first wedding—she couldn't cause problems or let Hannah down. More importantly, she felt sorry for Randy. He'd been either keeping her company or helping Charles with wedding preparations, never getting proper rest. If something happened to his health because of this, she'd feel terribly guilty.
With this thought, she gritted her teeth and nodded firmly. "Alright then. Drive carefully on your way home, and text me when you get there so I know you're safe."
"I will. You get some rest too. If you're hungry, you can order takeout, or if you don't want that, I'll have Kaylee make you something and have Lowell bring it over."
Stella nodded obediently. "Okay, I understand."
"Good girl." Randy took one last, lingering look at Stella, then forced himself to harden his heart and turned to leave.
Stella watched him go until the door closed in front of her, only then reluctantly looking away. With Randy gone, she listlessly walked to the sofa and sat down, picking up one of the candies from the coffee table and unwrapping it. The sweet taste instantly dissolved the bitterness in her heart, making her feel somewhat better.
Lying on the sofa, Stella pulled out her phone, hoping to distract herself, but her mind was filled entirely with thoughts of Randy. Feeling like she was about to lose her mind, she sprang up from the sofa, took a shower in the bathroom, then lay down in bed, hoping sleep would help her forget about Randy.
But the moment she closed her eyes, she saw Randy standing there, smiling at her with gentle warmth. He seemed bathed in golden light, his entire being radiant and glowing.
Stella's eyes flew open in shock, her mouth agape as she gasped for air, her chest heaving violently.
She murmured, "What's wrong with me? Why is my head full of nothing but Randy?"
Stella knocked her head with her fists twice, trying to clear her thoughts, but Randy didn't disappear from her mind—instead, his image became even clearer. Not understanding what was happening to her, she climbed out of bed and paced anxiously around the room.
She suddenly regretted coming so early—she should have arrived just two days before the wedding. Now Randy had no time to spend with her, Hannah was busy, and she was bored to death alone in the hotel. Everyone around her seemed busy while she alone had nothing to do.
For the first time, she understood what it meant for days to feel like years. The short span of two days felt like an entire century. Each day, Randy only gave her perfunctory updates about his whereabouts—he had no time to chat with her, much less visit. It was as if he were the one getting married instead of Charles.
Even when he finally finished his busy evenings and went home, he only managed a hurried "good night" before falling asleep. She wanted to visit Hannah, but Hannah seemed especially busy these days too, with many details requiring her confirmation. Afraid of disrupting their wedding preparations, Stella obediently stayed alone at the hotel.
Time crawled by at an agonizing pace, with Stella practically counting every minute. After what felt like an eternity, the torturous two days finally passed, and Hannah and Charles's wedding day arrived.
According to tradition, the bride and groom couldn't stay together the night before their wedding, so Hannah was picked up by Lassie and Carter. As Hannah's friend and maid of honor, Stella went along to The Moore Mansion, spending the night there before getting up early the next morning to go with Hannah for hair and makeup.
The moment she saw Hannah, Stella nearly burst into tears with excitement. "Hannah, I finally get to see you! You have no idea how bored I've been these past two days—I nearly went crazy."
Hannah teased, "How could you be bored? Don't you have a boyfriend now? Doesn't Emeric keep you company and chat with you?"
If Hannah hadn't mentioned it, Stella would have completely forgotten she supposedly had a boyfriend.
Emeric was her boyfriend in name only, but they seemed more like strangers than anything else—barely knowing each other and speaking with polite formality.
"Maybe because we just started dating and then I came here immediately. It doesn't feel like we're actually in a relationship."
Hannah laughed. "New relationships can be a bit awkward at first, but you'll get used to it. When you go back, you'll have plenty of time to develop feelings for each other gradually."
Stella didn't want to discuss this topic—she was more interested in something else. "Hannah, what's the wedding schedule like tomorrow? Tell me everything."
"Tomorrow morning, they'll come to the Moore Mansion to pick me up, then we'll go straight to the wedding venue."
After their showers, Hannah and Stella lay under the same comforter with their eyes closed, chatting like best friends having a late-night heart-to-heart. When Hannah spoke, Stella listened quietly, and when Stella talked, Hannah gave her the same attentive silence. The atmosphere was peaceful and warm.
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