My Love for You Broke Me

Chapter 597 Stella Johnston

Shawn smiled but didn't answer my question. The car continued moving along the sinuous coastline. As I looked out

the window and took in the scenery with a tilted head, I felt completely at ease. I knew it was because the man was

beside me. I was happy that he offered to bring the kids over and stay with us for some time.

When we arrived at the villa, I got out of the car. Seeing that Shawn remained in the vehicle, I asked, "Are you

going somewhere else?"

"I have something to attend to."

"Will you be back for dinner?"

The man grunted and left the place.

In the stilettos Shawn had chosen for me, I stepped into the villa. As usual, Eins and Zwei were the first to discover

my presence. They quickly came over and surrounded me. When Diego, who was smoking in front of the door,

heard the noise, he said, "I'm the only one here for now. Emma and Ian will be here soon. What ingredients do you

have in your house? I suddenly feel very lonely, Renee." He sighed.

I stroked Eins' head and asked, "Why do you feel so?"

"You have Shawn, Emma has Christopher, and Ian has Serene. I'm the only single person. I don't even know why

I've come here to have dinner with several loving couples."

"Ian and Serene aren't the lovey-dovey type, though."

When Diego realized I was right, he let out a breath. "You have a point. What do you have in your refrigerator? Ian

and I will cook for all of you. Christopher can get some rest since he's a rare visitor in Espoo."

I asked with a smile, "Why don't you count Shawn in?"

"It's not like I have the guts to make him cook for us unless he's willing to do it. Anyway, I think he won't cook

today."

I approached him and asked, "What makes you think so?"

"Because he let you come home on your own."

"He said he'd come back for dinner."

"See? Only Ian and I will cook, then."

After entering the living room, I said, "Don't be so dejected. I'll help you out later. There are all sorts of ingredients

in the refrigerator."

"That's not it. Preparing dinner is just a small matter. For some reason, I've been feeling downcast for the past two

days."

There was only one reason he was moody. "You miss your ex-girlfriend."

Hearing that, he let out a sigh. "I feel even more terrible now. She's obstinate and filled with negativity."

A moment later, he appeared heartbroken. "But that's her life. She had always been aggrieved and cautious during

her formative years. Without anyone's support, she studied hard and graduated from school. She's also been

working hard. She's like a flower that grows in the mud. She wants to embrace the world, but a part of her wants to

resist it. In this dangerous world, she has to protect herself. Although she feels hollow deep within, there's nothing

she can do about it."

Ciara was indeed that kind of person.

"Forget it. Ian and the others will be arriving soon. I have to get prepared now. By the way, your dress is beautiful."

I replied joyfully, "Shawn bought it for me."

"Oh, stop it!" Diego snorted and entered the kitchen.

I then sat down on the couch and read a book while Diego prepared the ingredients in the kitchen. Soon, Ian

arrived at my house, followed by Emma several minutes later. A gentle Christopher stood beside her.

I called out with a smile, "Christopher."

"How are you, little girl?"

Christopher and I were best friends. I once said that we could understand each other well.

Emma took his hand and pinned him down on the couch before saying, "I'll help out in the kitchen while you'll stay

here to keep Renee company." Then, she whispered, "Serene will be here as well."

Christopher got to his feet. "I'll help them out—"

Emma turned him down. "There's no need for that. Just wait." Then, she strode toward the kitchen.

"She's still very young." I found their cheeky interaction adorable.

"Yeah. She's always energetic." Christopher's eyes were brimming with love.

"How long do you plan on staying here?" I asked.

"I'll leave with Emma. However, she has work to do during the day, so I'll probably hold some concerts in nearby

cities."

With the book in my hands, I replied, "You'll be working, then."

"Yes. I'm a mature man now, so I'd like to spend more time with Emma. If you have some free time, you can be my

special guest."

I was surprised. "Huh?"

"You helped me out in Bryxton before. All my friends liked your performance and thought that you were talented."

I asked hesitantly, "What are you trying to say?"

"You can be a pianist too. I'll be your mentor. I'm sure you'll learn a lot and become skillful in a few years."

"I don't deserve a mentor like you, a world-renowned pianist."

"Little girl, that's what friends are for."

Just then, Eins and Zwei barked outside the house. I reckoned that Serene had arrived, so I shouted in the kitchen's

direction, "Ian! It must be Serene. Can you go over and welcome her in?"

Ian left the kitchen and asked, "Why is she here?"

"Emma invited her. She's such a good friend, isn't she?"

Hearing that, Ian remained calm. "She's alright."

Then, he left the house and called out to Eins and Zwei, after which the dogs stopped barking. Ian asked, "Why are

there the two of you?"

I heard an unfamiliar voice say, "Serene said she was coming over for dinner, so I decided to tag along. Is there a

problem with it?"

Serene sighed. "She insisted on following me."

Two beautiful women then entered the house. One of them was wearing a long yellow dress. She was none other

than Serene. The other woman was clad in a short black skirt.

Serene introduced the woman beside her to us, saying, "She's my older sister, Stella. Sorry for bringing her with me

without asking."

Certainly, I wouldn't mind Serene's sister coming to my house.

I shook my head. "It's fine. Everyone’s welcome."

Ian told Serene and Stella to sit across from us before entering the kitchen. I heard Diego ordering, "Go to the

backyard and set up the lights. Take the projector there as well. We'll have dinner and watch a movie in the

backyard later. Don't forget the stereo speakers as well, in case anybody wants to sing."

Hearing that, Ian furrowed his brows. "Stop bossing me around!"

Diego smiled and shouted in our direction, "Mrs. Zeller, it seems that Ian can't do so many things on his own. Why

don't you help him out?"

Serene got to her feet and replied politely, "Sure. Let's go."

Only then did Ian leave with satisfaction.

After they were gone, only Christopher, Stella, and I were left in the living room. Although we were not familiar with

Stella, she seemed to be extroverted. She kept asking us questions while I responded politely. A moment later, she

said, "I know you, Christopher. You're a famous pianist. It's said that you're married."

Christopher replied impassively, "Yes."

"Is your wife here?"

He then responded, "Yes."

Christopher was always dispassionate in front of others.

"Oh, I can see that you don't love to talk."

This time, Christopher remained silent.

Stella didn't mind it as she went on to say calmly, "Serene is my younger sister as well as the youngest daughter in

the Johnston Family. Some time ago, our grandfather let her take charge of the family."

I asked in surprise, "Why are you bringing it up all of a sudden?"

She rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with that?"