Chapter 45

“Eric!” Stella screamed, sitting up suddenly in bed. “I’m here, I’m here!” Eric had been sitting by her bedside, and when he saw her abruptly sit up, he quickly wrapped his arms around her. His voice was soft and soothing, right near her ear. “It’s okay, it’s okay.” “It was so scary… so many hands were touching me…” Stella cried, her voice breaking. But as she inhaled the familiar, fresh scent of him, a small sense of comfort washed over her. “It’s all right now, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and you’re safe,” Eric held her tightly, his voice thick with emotion, his throat tight, and he almost choked up. Stella wept in his arms, her sobs shaking her body. Eric didn’t try to stop her; he just held her and let her release everything. After a while, Stella, exhausted from crying, hiccupped between sobs. “I feel so hopeless…” “My existence has always been a mistake… no one ever looked forward to my birth…” She choked on the words. “But when I learned the truth, I didn’t even fee