Roger’s expression shifted slightly. “Why? Don’t you love playing the piano? And dance—you’ve always enjoyed it. If teaching isn’t an option anymore, you could still perform, join a dance company… Why jump into the entertainment industry?”
His tone grew heavier. “That world is messy and chaotic. What if someone bullies you?”
They were just ordinary people. Roger believed that once he graduated, he could land a stable job and protect his sister. But the entertainment industry was a different battlefield. It didn’t matter how talented Stella was—without a strong background, no one would shield her when things went wrong. Even if their parents were still alive, there would be little they could do in such a ruthless industry.
His disapproval was clear in every word, and Stella could tell he didn’t want to continue the discussion. So, she dropped the subject.
In truth, she was still undecided.
But the training center would be closing in a month. She needed to start thinking about what came next.
The director’s business card was still in her bag. She hadn’t called him. Not yet.
After breakfast, she began clearing the table. Roger rose to help, but Stella waved him off with a small smile.
“It’s easier if I do it. You sit and relax.”
Roger’s smile faded slightly as he watched her disappear into the kitchen. His gaze dropped to the phone she had left behind on the table.
He didn’t mean to look.
But then the phone vibrated.
As if pulled by an invisible force, Roger reached for it.
A single message had come in—from an unknown number.
Still, something about it didn’t feel random.
(Unknown number: I’ll be back today. I’ll come to pick you up in the afternoon.)
Nothing suspicious. Just a simple message.
Yet Roger stared at it for a long while, his thoughts swirling.
When Stella walked back out, she found him sitting upright, his expression unreadable.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, drying her hands with a towel.
Roger hesitated. “You got a message just now. Who was it?”
Stella didn’t think much of it—until she picked up her phone.
Her face fell when she saw the sender: Weston.
For a moment, she froze. Then, avoiding Roger’s eyes, she murmured, “I’ll reply outside.”
Roger said nothing as he watched her step out onto the balcony. His gaze darkened.
There had never been secrets between them. But now, Stella clearly didn’t want him to know who had sent that message.
Stella replied to Weston’s text with a short message, then deleted the conversation.
When she returned, she tried to act natural. But Roger was watching her.
He looked up with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So, who was it?”
Stella answered calmly, “Just a colleague from work.”
Then, after a pause, she added, “Did you… see the message?”
Roger shook his head. “Nope. Didn’t see anything.”
“Okay.” Stella gave a faint smile, then continued, “The training center’s shutting down soon, so a lot of things are left unsettled. He said he’ll be back to pick me up this afternoon.”
She wasn’t lying.
It was exactly what the message had said.
Roger nodded, but something still felt off. He could sense it—the slight stiffness in her voice, the deliberate explanation. She was telling the truth… yet it sounded too rehearsed.
Like she was trying too hard to make sure he believed it.
Skip to content