I Refused To Be His Second Best Chapter 12

I Refused To Be His Second Best Chapter 12

Stellan stood outside the apartment, unable to leave.

His phone rang. It was Faye again.

He stared at the name on the screen, a rare wave of irritation rising in his chest.

Once, he’d waited for her calls.

All she had to do was say “Stellan,” and he’d follow like a puppet on strings.

She’d say she was hungry, and he’d drive across the city at midnight just to get her food.

On the phone, her voice was thick with tears.

“Stellan, my stomach hurts so much. Can you come?”

He held the phone, silent for a moment.

“Faye, call the local emergency number.”

He pretended he was still back home.

For the first time in years, he said no.

She froze, disbelief clear in her voice.

“I know you just landed. Aren’t you here to see me?”

“No.” His voice was dry. “There are hospitals where you are. Call them.”

“They’ll be faster than me.”

“Stellan, what’s wrong with you? I really don’t feel well…’

He didn’t listen to her crying. He hung up.

It wasn’t that hard after all.

But why, for two years, had he been so obsessed with her every whim?

With Ronan, I stopped waiting.

Because to him, I came first.

Always.

He celebrated every holiday with me.

All his friends knew my name.

He introduced me to his mother openly, holding my hand in plain sight.

Once, his mom video-called him while he was peeling shrimp for me.

He didn’t hide a thing.

He kept peeling as he talked to her.

I felt awkward. “Go talk to your mom. I can peel my own.”

He wouldn’t have it.

He peeled every shrimp and piled them into my plate.

“It’s fine. My dad does this for my mom too.”

His mom laughed on the other end.

“Let him do it. Just make sure he washes his hands first.”

Even in front of his family, he gave me that open, unashamed devotion.

Later, he took me to meet his parents.

I brought his mother her favorite flowers.

That day, she posted a photo on Instagram-the flowers carefully arranged in an expensive vase.

For the first time, I felt warmth sink into my chest without reservation.