Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Her world had totally blown up.

"He's fine. I found some medicine, and he took it," Stella blurted out, trying to calm Finley's nerves with a hastily concocted lie.

Finley raised an eyebrow. "Medicine? Where'd you get that kind of medicine?"

"Just... found it in the medicine cabinet," Stella muttered, barely convincing even herself. Who keeps that kind of stuff in their medicine cabinet? Especially here in Spring Hill? "In the medicine cabinet?" Finley's skepticism was palpable.

"Yeah, exactly."

Stella's tone was serious as she tried hard to sell the lie, almost convincing herself in the process.

Finley wasn't buying it. "Just let me in. I need to see him. Don't mess around, okay?"

Stella fell silent. The deed was already done.

"Hold on, just a sec."

After hanging up, Stella glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her mind racing. She gave herself a light slap on the cheek. "Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?"

How did last night even come to this? Was she taking advantage of him? After all, Ronald had been out of it.

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

Quietly, she cracked open the bathroom door and peeked at Ronald, still lying on the bed, clearly worn out. No wonder he was exhausted; it must have been at least two hours, right?

Her legs felt like jelly, both sore and achy. She needed a doctor more than Ronald at this point.

Even knowing Ronald wouldn't wake up easily, Stella dressed quietly, taking care to also tidy him up a bit.

Before leaving, she didn't forget to hide that gray scarf in the bathroom and straightened up the room.

...

Opening the door, she found Finley rubbing his hands together to ward off the cold, clearly having waited outside for a while.

Finley did a double-take at Stella, wrapped up in a thick, fluffy robe, her neck buried in a fuzzy scarf.

"What's with the get-up?"

Who sleeps with so many clothes on?

"I get cold, okay?" Stella replied defensively.

Finley just stared, unamused by the excuse, especially given the time of day.

Though puzzled, he cut to the chase. "Where's your brother?"

"In my room."

At that, Finley's gaze sharpened, concern flashing in his eyes.

Stella felt a twinge of guilt under his scrutiny.

"Well, he just barged in, got drunk, and passed out. I couldn't move him by myself."

Her explanation sounded flimsy, even to her own ears, but she was desperate for Finley to buy it.

Finley remained silent, his stare intensifying, making Stella squirm Suddenly, he stepped closer, reaching for the scarf around her

neck.

Stella's heart raced.

She clutched the scarf. "What are you doing?"

Could he be suspicious? If even Finley doubted her, what would happen when Ronald woke up?

Panic set in, making it hard for her to breathe.

Finley's

was stern. "Do you

know what drug your brother took? You

And the gravity c

don't you?" Content belon FindNovel

As if she could fool him.

this,

"Of course, I told you, I gave him the medicine," Stella insisted, her voice barely hiding her fear.

Finley was relentless. "Show me your neck."

Stella hesitated, her heart pounding. "You..."

"Let's see it," Finley pressed.

Stella felt like her heart was about to

her chest. This was how

panic attacks started, wasn't it