As Stella was having an existential crisis, Anastasia spoke up. "It's alright. I'm not that petty. Let's give her one more chance."
It wasn't out of kindness or generosity. Anastasia suddenly realized that keeping Stella around might be useful. For instance, she might be able to get more information about the Lawson heiress from her. She believed Harrison had no feelings for Naomi, but Stella's insistence that he should have married Naomi still bothered her.
Harrison didn't know what she was thinking, but since she had spoken, he would naturally defer to her.
However, his gaze on Stella was still filled with displeasure. "This is the last time," he said sternly. "Apologize to your aunt."
Stella shot a quick glance at Anastasia, convinced the woman had some ulterior motive. But she didn't dare say this to Harrison and could only mumble resentfully, "I'm sorry, Aunt… I shouldn't have called you that. I shouldn't have been so disrespectful."
Anastasia smiled slightly, her tone one of a benevolent elder. "Oh, it's fine. It's good that you can admit when you're wrong."
Seeing them reconciled, the old lady was satisfied. After giving Stella a few more instructions, she left with Wallis.
"Weren't you going to change?" Harrison asked, taking Anastasia's hand and leading her upstairs.
"Oh, right!" Anastasia remembered, following him with a light, happy spring in her step.
Watching their retreating figures, Stella ground her teeth.
*Just you wait!*
Marcus saw her resentful expression and walked over, patting her on the head like an experienced elder. With a world-weary and pitying tone, he said, "Listen to me, kid. Don't mess with her."
"Never!" Stella shot back without hesitation.
She was just a woman who had recently married into the Lancaster family. Why should she be afraid of her?
He enjoyed it when she was jealous, but he hated it when she spoke of him being with someone else. His heart was already full of her; there was no room for anyone else. How could he ever be with another?
"Don't say things like that again," he commanded, his long fingers threading through her hair with a possessive strength as he looked into her eyes. He wasn't a superstitious man, but he couldn't stand hearing such "unlucky" words, whether it was about him or her being with someone else.
Anastasia felt the tension in his muscles and sensed his displeasure. She recalled he'd been similarly annoyed when she asked about Naomi. Though she didn't know why he was upset, she didn't want him to be unhappy.
"I was wrong, I won't say it again," she said without hesitation. She buried her face in his chest, nuzzling him. "Then you have to love me forever."
Her words were soft, yet they struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
Instantly, all his resolve melted. He lowered his head and kissed her hair gently. "I will. But not just like you forever. I will love you forever."
Anastasia's breath hitched. She buried her head deeper into his chest, her voice a shy, excited whisper. "Me too!"

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