Chapter 260 I’ve wronged you too much.

Chapter 260 I’ve wronged you too much.


Autumn looked apologetically at Stella. "I tried to fry some bread, thinking it would taste great, but I used up all the bread and didn't manage to make a decent piece."
Stella's expression was a bit stiff. "Never mind."
"Let's have them buy more tomorrow," Autumn said, patting Stella's shoulder.
Stella couldn't help but feel a bit down.
Her parents used to spoil her and only her.
But now?
She had to share them with someone else.
Saying she wasn't upset would be a lie.
Ariana only had to say a word, and their parents would rush to cook for her.
Even her favorite bread was used to please Ariana.
Would there still be a place for her in this family?
She kept her head down while eating, and no one noticed her feelings.
Ariana was amused by the playful banter between her parents.
"Mom, have you not cooked much before?"
"I have," Matthew quickly responded. "When we first got married, she made quite a few culinary disasters. It's a miracle I've survived this long."
Ariana couldn't help but laugh again.
Autumn shrugged, feeling a bit frustrated. "Cooking is a talent, and the universe gave me other talents. It's fair. Ariana, can you cook?"
Ariana chuckled awkwardly. "Nope, I can't either. I tried once, watching Lucas whip up a meal in no time. I wanted to give it a shot and nearly started a fire."
"Seems like it's in the genes. Your grandma couldn't cook either."
The whole family burst into laughter.
Genes...
Stella felt a bit uneasy. Those words seemed to constantly remind her that she was an outsider.
She desperately wanted to feel like she belonged.
"Lucas can cook?" she asked.
"Yeah, he's really good at it. He makes these amazing egg-coated toast slices, crispy on the outside and soft inside. He also cooks sweet and sour ribs, Kung Pao chicken, spicy shrimp, and beef stew with potatoes..."
"Wow, that kid's impressive," Matthew praised. "I think his dad was a good cook too."
"Impressive? Does he think he can win over my daughter just by cooking?"
"True," Matthew agreed with a nod.
"Aren't you supposed to have a meeting this morning?" Autumn asked, frowning at Matt.
"I decided to make breakfast for Ariana, so I moved the meeting to the afternoon," Matt replied.
"Just go to work already, you're driving me crazy," Autumn urged him.
Matt slowly finished the not-so-great breakfast before finally getting ready to leave for work.
He glanced at Ariana, wanting to say something but holding back, and reluctantly left.
Autumn saw right through him. "Your dad just wanted to spend more time with you."
"Then why did you send him away?" Ariana asked.
"Because I want to spend more time with you too, and he's kind of in the way. Let's go shopping later, Stella. The three of us can have a girls' day out," Autumn called out to Stella.
"Okay," Stella replied with a forced smile.
Back in her room, Stella felt a pang of sadness.
She had mentally prepared herself for this, but facing it still made her heart ache.
She envied Ariana, whose parents cooked for her.
Dad even rescheduled his meeting to the afternoon for her, and he's always been so dedicated to his work over the years.
And Lucas even cooked so many delicious dishes for her.
Lucas, born with a silver spoon, and she never knew he could cook despite knowing him for so long.
But from what Ariana said, Lucas had been cooking for quite a while.
It felt so bittersweet, and she didn't know who to talk to about it.
It was like the whole world had abandoned her.
Stella still managed to pull herself together, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.
Ariana and Autumn were quicker and had already changed, waiting for Stella downstairs.
"Ariana, do you have a strong taste preference? Like either really sweet or really spicy food?"
Ariana nodded, "Yes."
"Hahaha..." Autumn laughed heartily, "That's my girl! Just like me. Do you also like eating meat?"
Ariana nodded again.
"Yes, yes, I love meat too."
From what Ariana mentioned about Lucas's cooking, Autumn had already figured out Ariana's taste preferences.
"I know a restaurant that will definitely suit your taste," Autumn said, but then she bit her lip in concern. "But Stella can't handle spicy food or anything too greasy."
She was momentarily at a loss.
As Stella came downstairs, she overheard the conversation, feeling a pang in her heart.
Mom probably doesn't want me to go with them. She must want to spend time alone with Ariana.
"Stella, hurry up, we're just waiting for you," Autumn called out to her.
Stella slowly made her way down, "Mom, I didn't sleep well last night. My head hurts a bit. Maybe I should take a nap. Why don't you two go without me?"
"Why is your head hurting all of a sudden?" Autumn walked over to Stella, gently touching her forehead.
"It's fine, you take Ariana. I just need some rest."
"Alright, but if you feel unwell, let me know."
"Just go, don't worry about me."
Autumn and Ariana left, while Stella watched them go, feeling a lump in her throat.
She wished her mom would stay, even though her headache was just an excuse.
Autumn and Ariana headed to the mall, indulging in the joy of shopping. Soon, their hands were full of shopping bags.
The only downside was not getting a reservation at the private kitchen restaurant Autumn had mentioned.
They would have to wait until the evening.
"Mom, should we head back?"
"Don't you want to try that place? I love it, and I'm sure you will too."
"But isn't Stella not feeling well? We should check on her."
Autumn had been messaging the housekeeper to check on Stella's condition.
"She should be fine."
"She might be upset. I've been meaning to tell you, you don't need to go out of your way for me. This morning, when you and Dad made breakfast, I could tell Stella wasn't happy."
Autumn suddenly realized, "Your dad and I just..."
"I know, you both want what's best for me, want to make up for lost time. But Stella will feel left out, like we're the real family and she's just an outsider.
She might have said she had a headache today just to get involved in our mother-daughter time."
Autumn and Matthew had indeed discussed this topic before.
Even before they found Ariana, they agreed they mustn't neglect Stella.
She was the daughter they had raised from a young age, just like their own.
"Honestly, it's okay. I don't mind. I'm just happy to be back with the family. You don't need to do anything extra for me. Please, focus more on Stella."
Autumn felt a pang of sadness in her heart. "Ariana, that's too much for you to bear."