“Don’t be foolish! Even if you were to get married, I’ll visit you often.”
There was a note of sorrow in Stella’s voice as she spoke, the weight of unspoken emotions pressing down on her heart.
Roger remained silent, but deep inside, he made a vow. He would always stay by her side, no matter what.
After a restless, sleepless night, Stella decided it was time to rise. The sky outside was still dark, the quiet of the early morning surrounding her. She made her way to the training center, arriving so early that even the security guard had yet to arrive. She swiped her card and entered, the cold silence of the empty building welcoming her.
She sat down, placed her bag on the floor, and took out a bun for breakfast. Roger typically had breakfast at school, so she didn’t bother preparing anything elaborate for herself. A simple meal was enough, as long as she wasn’t hungry.
After finishing her breakfast, Stella changed into her workout gear and began her warm-up exercises.
It was during her dance practice that she felt like her old self again—the Stella who had been pampered like a princess, always at the center of attention, loved and adored by everyone. Her chin would always be held high, proud of who she was.
Now, though, she walked through life with her head lowered, her gaze aimed at the floor, as if the only thing she wanted was to fade into the background, away from prying eyes.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, signaling the arrival of others. People began to filter into the training center, and when they saw Stella, they greeted her with familiarity. She had always been the most diligent teacher here, admired for her strong foundation and patience. Parents appreciated her, and as a result, she had a steady stream of students.
At such extracurricular centers, there was usually a recommendation system in place. Parents who liked a teacher would recommend them to others, ensuring that the teacher would have a full schedule. In turn, the teacher would receive a portion of the registration fees.
Stella was in the middle of a leg stretch when she overheard the sharp, envious voices of a couple of women behind her.
“You’re here so early again. Seems like you’re doing pretty well…” one woman commented with a sour tone.
“I don’t think she’s just putting on a show. She has so many students in her class; of course, she has to come early to prepare. Otherwise, she’d be wasting everyone’s time.”
“You really think she has so many students because she’s a good teacher?” another woman sneered.
“What else could it be?” the first woman replied.
She eyed Stella through the glass, a jealous look crossing her face. “It’s only because she’s pretty. Looks are everything in today’s world. Just look at that face of hers. Didn’t you notice that it’s always the fathers who come and register their kids for her classes? You’re still young and don’t understand how society works.”
Even the young intern who overheard this conversation could sense the jealousy in the older woman’s words. Though she wasn’t bold enough to respond, she smiled awkwardly, trying to smooth things over. “How could that be? You’re quite pretty yourself, too. Plus, there are plenty of mothers who register their children for Teacher Ella’s classes, as well…”
But the woman didn’t seem to care about that part of the sentence. Her face lit up with a grin, her delight impossible to hide.
“How could I be as pretty as Ella? She probably comes in hours early just to do her makeup. Look at her skin—it’s probably some natural-colored makeup she’s using. How scheming of her…”
Stella heard it all, but she didn’t react. She had long grown accustomed to the whispers and gossip that followed her. People would always talk, making up stories and weaving opinions. Some might defend her, but most would focus on the negative.
So she simply continued with her exercises, choosing to ignore the opinions of others. After all, it was her life, and she would live it on her terms.
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