Is This Regret?

Stella went to the hospital to take care of her wound after leaving the bar.

When she returned home, she gathered everything related to Noel and sealed them in a box.

Her parents returned home just in time to see this and were taken aback.

"Stella, have you really let go of your feelings for Noel? Are you sure you don't like him anymore?"

Her parents felt relieved to see her nod without hesitation. They said with a smile, "That's good to know. Eric is busy working overseas. We and the Chiltons got on a video call with him to discuss the marriage.

"Eric is much more mature and dignified than Noel. He suits you better, but he has a reputation for having very high standards, which is why we never considered him. We thought he wouldn't agree to it, but he said yes very quickly."

Stella's eyes turned red immediately.

She knew Eric would agree to the marriage when she first made the decision.

Most of the younger generation were afraid of him due to the generational gap, and Stella was no exception. She rarely talked to him and only saw him at banquets.

The only thing Stella knew about him was his passion for work. He had founded a commercial empire that was at the top of all the business charts. He remained a bachelor.

When he was thirty-five, he committed suicide. A stack of love letters was found in his room when his family went through the things he left behind.

Every letter was penned to someone he called 'My Star'. No Chilton knew who this person was.

Stella was the only one who knew. Stars had filled the sky on the day she was born, and she was named Stella after the stars. She even went by the nickname 'Star' with her close family elders.

She had no idea that this cold, aloof man who always looked distant and unreachable had secretly loved her his entire life.

If God was willing to give her another chance at life, she was willing to give both of them a chance.

While she was in a daze, her parents took out a gift box and handed it to Stella. They sounded happy when they spoke to her.

"It's your birthday tomorrow, Stella, but Eric won't be able to make it back. He got his assistant to bring you this present from his study. Do you like it?"

Stella opened the gift to see a brilliant ring.

It was the most expensive ring auction ever held by Sotheby's in fifty years. The ring was called 'Reach for a Star'.

Stella was lucky enough to have seen it once before, and she never forgot about it.

She did not expect Eric to give her such a valuable gift. It filled her heart with warmth.

Noel had stopped giving her gifts in their last life right after news of their marriage alliance got out.

She had forgotten what it felt like to receive a gift from the man she loved.

Stella's birthday party the next day was held at 7 PM sharp in the most luxurious hotel in the city.

All the guests went up to her to wish her a happy birthday. Stella was also smiling as a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders after settling her marriage affairs.

That was until a commotion came from the crowd halfway through the party. Everyone turned to look toward the entrance.

Stella turned to look as well. Noel had come to her party along with Sophie.

That was not the worst humiliation of the night. The most humiliating moment was Noel's buddies coming toward her while carrying a large plaque.

The words on the plaque stood out like a sore thumb.

"A Wretch Demanding Respect"

For: Stella Judd.

The guests crowded forward to see what was happening. They whispered to each other and gossiped about the situation.

Stella turned pale.

She clenched her hands and stared at the troublemakers. She spoke to them coldly.

"What’s the meaning of this?"

Noel's buddies sniggered as they looked at her. They deliberately spoke louder.

"Shouldn't you ask yourself that question? Didn't you claim Noel wouldn't be your groom? Why did he return home to discover his family preparing for a wedding? Stop playing hard to get. No one plays a better game than you, Miss Judd. These words are perfect for you."

"I told you she was just putting up a stubborn act. She's been running after Noel for years. Everyone knows how she grovels at Noel’s feet. It's so bad that she’s lost all her dignity, yet she claims she doesn't like him anymore and won't marry him? She’s just using a stalling tactic. Who else could she marry when Noel is the only one in Chilton family in the same generation as her?"

Laughter filled the hall.

Noel looked at her coldly as well. "Stop doing useless things like this, Stella. Don't even think about getting my attention. The only thing I can give you after we get married is allowing you to use the name of Mrs. Chilton and nothing else."

He had told Stella the same thing in her past life.

Noel did not lie about that.

He gave her nothing else in their seven years of marriage besides the name of Mrs. Chilton.

Everyone began talking about this when they heard Noel's words. Stella turned pale instantly and took a deep breath. She raised her voice.

"I don't need you to give me anything, Noel Chilton! Listen up. You're not the one I'm marrying, and I'm not marrying someone from our generation. I'm marrying…"

Before she announced the name of her groom, Stella was interrupted.

Sophie suddenly covered her mouth and nose. Small rashes began appearing on her face, and she fell into Noel's arms with tears in her eyes. "Mr. Noel, I'm itching everywhere. Why are there so many hyacinths here? I'm allergic to them!"

Hyacinths were Stella's favorite flower, which was why every corner of the hall was decorated with them.

Noel looked anxious as the woman in his arms began to breathe with increasing difficulty. He kept calling out to Sophie and hoisted her up by the waist to carry her in his arms.

He left behind two sentences before he left.

The first sentence was for Stella. "You're not allowed to plant or display hyacinths anywhere after we get married, Stella Judd!"

His next sentence was for his buddies. "Tear this place apart after I leave!"

"Alright, Noel! We'll get the job done!"

They went to work right away as they flipped tables and chairs over like a bunch of hooligans. They wrecked everything in sight.

Stella's birthday cake was all over the floor while pieces of wine glasses and plates flew everywhere in the air. The fresh flowers were stamped into a pulp by the guests who were trying to avoid the sudden attack.

"Stop! You have no right to wreck my birthday party! Stop it!"

"You'll be marrying Noel soon. You should put your husband's words above all else and do whatever Noel tells you to. Hahahah!"

Stella yelled until her voice was hoarse, but she was unable to stop the violence. All she received in return was endless laughter in her face.

All her guests left as her birthday ended in shambles.