Chapter 2067
Anna's face turned shades of red and white, utterly at a loss for words.
Maja, growing impatient, gathered up her design blueprints. "Fine, $100 is $100, but aren't you heading over to the Sanders' for dinner? Let's go together." Stella was taken aback, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Maja?"
"Yeah, didn't expect to bump into you here. Let's go."
Maja helped her pack up the little booth they had set up, while Anna stamped her foot in frustration.
"I'm not done with you two!"
Stella couldn't help but chuckle. She might be an outsider at the Sanders', but Maja was Augus' own daughter. What ground did Anna have to make them wait?
But she kept her thoughts to herself, letting Anna take on Maja. Despite Maja's delicate appearance, her tactics were anything but soft. Anna was definitely biting off more than she could chew.
When Stella and Maja arrived at the Sanders' home, they walked in on Beck hugging Rosemary Sanders, his face alight with joy.
"Oh, my little Rosemary, come to Uncle Beck. I've missed you so, my darling."
lan, standing nearby, frowned in distaste.
"Could you not speak so sickeningly sweet? Just hug her and be done with it."
Beck, smug as ever, retorted, "I bet you're just jealous because Rosemary won't let you hug her."
His gloating was cut short when he spotted Stella at the door, his expression souring.
"Who invited her?"
Stella, unfazed, took a seat next to him.
"Beck, that hurt."
Just as Beck was about to retort, he caught sight of Augus descending the stairs and held his tongue, fearing another punishment. Stella's gaze landed on Rosemary Sanders, a picture-perfect doll of a child with large, doe eyes and impossibly long eyelashes. Considering her parents' good looks, it was no surprise she was so adorable.
Augus, beaming, alternated between hugging Rosemary and Craig, wishing he could split himself in two.
Maja, having barely interacted with her nominal father, expected awkwardness, but the presence of the children made for a surprisingly warm atmosphere.
Dr. Sarah busied herself in the kitchen, glancing over with a smile through the glass door. Soon, Augus, holding Craig, coaxed her out of the kitchen.
"Let someone else handle the kitchen. Come, hold the kids."
Everyone knew Dr. Sarah's situation, but no one voiced their opinions, letting things flow naturally. Augus, however, was the quickest to embrace the new dynamic
Dr. Sarah carefully took the child into her arms, her eyes welling up with tears before she quickly turned away.
Augus wiped away her tears, sighing.
"Why cry? We're all here, this should be a happy time."
Her voice was hoarse, "It just feels so surreal."
Augus hugged her, noticing the younger generation's curious looks, and awkwardly let go.
Dr. Sarah handed Craig back and
then took Rosemary into her arms, who was far more lively, laughing
y at anyone who played with her.
With his hands now free, Beck turned to Stella.
"What are you even doing here? You don't fit in."
Maja, sitting on his other side, sighed at his harsh words.
"Beck."
There was no need to be so blunt, especially since Stella was technically a Sanders too.
Yet, Stella seemed accustomed to such remarks. She tried to hide her hurt with a smile, but her eyes betrayed her sadness. "Beck, I know I don't fit in."
Beck's conscience instantly pricked him. After a minute of silence, he mumbled, "I didn't mean it that way."