Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella caught the flicker of emotion in her eyes and gave a gentle nudge, "Hey, sis, I know you've learned your lesson."

"Hm?"

"Relax. She's not gonna change herself for that guy anymore."

Thinking about how much Yvonne used to bend over backwards for Dan made Stella's chest ache a little. Dan had been a big deal in Yvonne's world. Who would've thought he'd turn out to be... well, that kind of man?

Lydia sighed, "Let's hope so."

She really did feel for Yvonne. Yvonne always acted so carefree, so loud and brash-nobody would've guessed she could fall so hard for someone.

"Wait, is Dan even alive?" Lydia asked suddenly.

It had been five years. The guy was supposed to be dead. Who would imagine he was still kicking around?

Stella nodded, "Yeah. He's alive."

Lydia frowned, "Who the heck made the call that he was dead back then?" That

was a big deal. If you can't even tell if someone's alive or dead, what's the point of being a doctor?

"Finley," Stella replied.

Lydia's jaw dropped. "Oh, that explains everything."

When it came to Finley Yoder, Lydia was at a loss for words. "I honestly don't know how he ever got his 'genius doctor' reputation."

Everyone in town raved about Finley's skills, but anyone who actually knew him... well, they knew better.

As they were talking, Ronald and Yvonne walked in from the porch. "Grandma," Yvonne called out first.

There was still a bruise on her face. When she leaned in closer, Lydia jumped. "Oh my goodness, what happened to your face? Who did this to you?"

It was obvious she'd been hit.

Stella's eyes went wide too. Yvonne gingerly touched her cheek, wincing. "Ugh, the jerk's goons didn't hold back. Hurts like hell."

Even her lip had started to swell.

Stella blinked. "The jerk's... people?"

Something about the way Yvonne said it just felt off.

Lydia's face darkened as soon as she heard "the jerk." "Dan's people?"

Yvonne nodded. "Yeah, but enough about that. Grandma, what's with all the jewelry? Showing off?"

Stella stifled a laugh. Lydia swatted Yvonne's arm. "Watch your mouth, you little rascal! You think I'm that type?"

Yvonne grinned, "Of course not."

Still, why lay all this stuff out?

Lydia huffed, "Star's getting married soon. These are part of her wedding trousseau. I'm letting her pick. You want to take a look too?"

Yvonne shook her head, "I'm not getting married, Grandma. Give it all to Star."

Yvonne never cared much for fancy things anyway. Stella was the girly one; might as well let her have everything.

Stella chimed in, "I've got more than enough, honestly. I don't need any more."

She really meant it. After all those years away, her mom and Yvonne had stuffed her closet with so many things she could barely close the doors.

Watching the two girls push the treasures back and forth, Lydia scowled, "Fine, I'll just throw it all out then?"noveldrama

"Wait, I'll pick!" Yvonne piped up, knowing from Lydia's tone she was about to lose her temper. She hurried over to sift through the boxes. Not that she'd actually use any of it-she'd probably just hand it over to Star anyway.

Meanwhile, Ronald sidled up to Stella and slipped a bracelet onto her wrist. Lydia caught sight of it and cleared her throat. "Ahem, that one's for Yvonne."

That piece wasn't cheap, either. The kid's got a good eye, she thought.

Yvonne waved it off, "Give it to Star. I don't even like that one."

Ha, Lydia thought, this old lady's really playing favorites out in the open. Poor Star, sitting right there-how's she supposed to feel?

But Lydia knew what Yvonne was thinking and snorted, "Don't be ridiculous. I've got something even better set aside for Star. What are you worried about?"

Like she'd really play favorites. One was her darling granddaughter-in-law, and the other-well, Star was carrying her great-grandchild, after all.