Chapter 71 - Atmosphere is heavy (2/2)

Stella was observing him without interrupting his reading.

”What do you want me to do about this?” Edward lifted his gaze.

”We said that she can get a car. For all our girls we provided financially until they finished school and started working. With that in mind, what do you think that we should do?” Stella had a serious expression.

He thought for some time. ”I see where you are going. But Sarah left with that young man without a care of who will get hurt in the process. That is not something that can be ignored.”

”I can tell that your pride is hurt.” Stella said.

”Don't even try to go that route. Sarah is disrespectful. I will not tolerate that. She needs to learn her lesson. Does she think that if she is young, she can act without a care in the world? If she comes back and apologizes sincerely, and stops dating that punk, then I might reconsider.” He pushed the receipt towards Stella.

Stella sighed. ”How I see it, it does not have anything to do with being young. It has to do with doing what you believe it's right. Do you believe that what you are doing now is right?” Stella pressed her lips and took a deep breath. ”You mentioned who will get hurt. I advise you to think about who is getting hurt in this situation.”

She pushed the receipt back towards him. ”I leave this to you, so you can think about it.”

Edward grabbed the receipt, crumpled it and threw it in the trash bin under his desk.

Stella's face frowned. She walked out of the study room without a word. Stella saw Sophia standing in the hallway looking at her with an eager expression. Stella looked down and shook her head helplessly.

Sophia's face saddened. She hoped that her dad and Sarah will fix their relationship. At the same time, Sophia agreed with Sarah, Edward is too controlling in this case and his stance is unreasonable. No one understands if Edward is like this because Sarah is dating, or because she is dating Aiden.

Sophia walked slowly toward the family room. Her phone buzzed, and she checked it. She got messages from Mark.

[Mark]: ”What are you doing for New Year's?”

[Mark]: ”I've got tickets for a new show from Cirque de Soleil, great seats. After that we can go to a dinner. Let me know.”

Sophia looked at the messages with mixed feelings. She didn't need to think much. 'This can't continue. I need to break free from this cycle. There is no future for Mark and me. No matter how many times I push him away, he is coming back. I need to make myself clear... Maybe I can go to our New York office for some time. Distance from Mark will be good for me. They are having some difficulties there. I can stabilize situation in that office, and at the same time get an emotional breather from Mark. That sounds good, I will pull few more resources with me, and announce it on next board meeting.'

...

Back in the study room, Edward is holding his head in his hands. After some thinking he bent under the desk and pulls out crumpled receipt from the trash bin. He smoothened it out and looked at it carefully, '2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo. That is a good car. Sarah has a great taste, just like her dad'. He smiled.