Chapter 4 Best Friends Forever

• Fellis retrieved her cell phone and noticed Stella Lucas's home phone number saved in it.
• Fellis took a deep breath. As soon as she dialed the number, she heard the crisp voice of a child on the other end, saying, "Mother!"
• "Hello," Fellis couldn't help but smile, "Is Joy doing well today?"
• "Joy is doing great!" 3-year-old Joy, holding a cell phone, looked at Stella beside him with his beautiful eyes. "Mom, you can ask Mami Stella."
• "Alright, alright, I know Joy is an amazing child!" Felix chuckled. She wished she could kiss Joy's adorable cheek at that moment.
• "Mom, remember to come see me tomorrow, and please don't be late, okay?"
• Joy's hopeful voice tugged at Fellis' heartstrings. She lowered her head and pondered for a moment before responding in a cheerful tone, "Of course, I won't be late, my love."
• Afterwards, she asked Joy, "Joy, could you pass the phone to Mami Stella? There's something I need to discuss with her."
• "Okay," Joy sensed something unusual about Fellis, but he still handed the cell phone to Stella with a happy expression. "Here, Mommy want to talk to you."
• "Alright," Stella smiled and answered the call, then gently stroked Joy's head. "Joy, go play with Gabriella."
• Joy nodded and ran off.
• "Fellis, how is your work in Houston? Is everything going well?" Stella asked with a smile once Joy had left.
• "It's not bad. I actually wanted to ask you about something," Fellis hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
• "Go ahead, don't hesitate," Stella nodded.
• "Stella, the monthly allowance for Joy might be a bit insufficient this time. I'll make up for it next month, is that alright?" Fellis felt a pang of sadness after making that request. Stella had been taking care of her child and had been very supportive.
• But now she had to reduce the monthly allowance, especially since Stella also had a child of her own.
• "I thought as much!" Stella shook her head, slightly displeased. "Fellis, next time, don't hesitate to bring up these things. We've been friends for a long time!"
• Ever since Fellis had entrusted her child to her care, she had been sending money every month. Stella felt uncomfortable about it. And now, with Fellis bringing up the reduction, she felt even more uneasy. Friends are meant to be relied upon during difficult times.
• "Thank you, Stella. If it weren't for you, I don't know how I would have managed," Fellis said, her eyes welling up with tears.
• She didn't cry often, but in front of a friend she had known for years, she couldn't hold back.
• "Don't mention it, Fel," Stella immediately comforted Fellis. She had known her since their first semester in college and had witnessed her journey from heaven to hell, and how she bravely faced life. Stella sometimes couldn't fathom how Fellis had managed to survive for so long.
• "Stella, there's something else I want to tell you. Stella, I ran into him," Fellis bit her lip.
• "Alexander?" Stella knew that the only person who could make the usually cheerful Fellis so gloomy was that despicable Alexander.
• "Yes..." Fellis nodded. She took a deep breath, looking somewhat hesitant.
• "Did something happen between the two of you?" Stella shook her head. She knew that Fellis would inevitably run into Alexander since he worked in Houston, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon.
• "We just crossed paths, and I saw his current wife," Fellis shook her head.
• "A man who's gotten famous, there's nothing good about it!" Stella sneered. "Fellis, let's focus on our work and not worry about that trashy man. Trust me, you will find someone better!"
• "I haven't thought about that yet. Right now, I just want to do well and earn a lot of money!" Fellis felt a little better hearing her best friend get angry on her behalf.
• "Alright, it's your decision. You know I'm the most understanding friend. Whatever you choose, I will always support you!" Stella said firmly.
• "Okay, thank you. You're the best, Stella," Fellis said, her voice choked with emotion.
• Before she could finish speaking, Fellis sneezed.
• "Fel, why are you still catching a cold?" Stella frowned, worried. "Are you overworking yourself?"
• "It's nothing," Fellis quickly replied. She had actually wanted to use her busy work schedule as an excuse for catching a cold, but now that she was unemployed, she couldn't do that anymore.
• As she thought about her current situation, Fellis sighed once again. She didn't want to prolong the conversation with Stella any further. She said, "Stella, I'll come to your house tomorrow on time. For now, I need to rest."
• "Alright... make sure you get some rest. Tomorrow, my husband and I will prepare your favorite dishes," Stella said, smiling on the other end of the line.
• "Alright, thank you!" Fellis was about to hang up when Stella suddenly remembered something important. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Fellis, there's one thing I forgot to mention."
• "What is it?" Fellis asked.
• "My mother-in-law, my husband's parents, are visiting. Their lifestyle and mindset are a bit different from ours. So, if they say anything inappropriate tomorrow, please don't mind it," Stella felt a slight headache thinking about her in-laws.
• "I won't pay any attention to it," Fellis immediately assured her. "They're older people, so it's understandable that their views and way of life may differ from ours. Don't worry, I won't let it bother me."
• "Alright then," Stella let out a small sigh of relief, but she still felt uneasy. She remembered how uncomfortable she felt when her in-laws made certain remarks to Joy.
• Now, all she could do was have a good talk with her husband and ask him to remind his mother to be more careful with her words tomorrow.
• The next day...
• In the bright autumn season of Houston, the streets were bustling with traffic and crowded with pedestrians. There was no sense of gloom in the air.
• Fellis woke up early and took a long-hour flight to Southampton.
• Carrying gifts, Fellis arrived at the apartment complex where Stella lived. As she was about to enter the building, she noticed a child who resembled Joy sitting on a park bench.
• Joy sat alone on the bench, playing with his fingers while looking down. His chubby face seemed lonely.
• Fellis quickened her pace and approached Joy. She deliberately greeted him in a low, deep voice, "Hey there, would you like to play with me? I'll take you out for a delicious meal!"
• "Mother told me not to talk to strangers," Joy replied seriously, without lifting his head.
• "If you don't want to talk to me, I'll leave!" Fellis responded, her voice filled with laughter.
• Upon hearing Fellis' voice, Joy finally looked up.
• "Mommy!" Joy exclaimed happily, rushing into Fellis' arms as soon as he saw her in front of him.
• "Quick, I would like to see if my child has grown up!" Fellis promptly embraced Joy and gently stroked his hair.
• "Mother, I truly miss you," Joy's soft voice evoked both pity and sadness in Fellis.
• Fellis could sense Joy's yearning for her, but she also detected his efforts to suppress this longing in order to prevent her guilt from intensifying.
• At only 3 years old, Joy already possessed such thoughts. The mere thought of Fellis made his heart ache even more.
• Fellis held Joy in her arms for a moment. Linda Walton, who had been observing Gabriella from a distance, just realized her presence.
• Linda, who appeared to be in her 50s or 60s, was dressed in a gray dress with a floral pattern and wore handmade black cloth shoes. Unfamiliar with Fellis, she called out to her, "Excuse me, who are you!"
• "Mami Fellis!" Gabriella recognized Fellis and immediately ran over to her.
• "Wow, Gabriella is becoming more beautiful, isn't she!" Before Linda could respond to her outburst, Gabriella rushed into her arms.
• Linda approached Fellis as well. As she observed the woman, she noted that her appearance was quite pleasant. Her elegant makeup was indicative of her refined taste. Being unmarried, she relied on my daughter-in-law to care for her child, Linda thought with a sigh!
• However, upon seeing Fellis arrive with numerous gifts, Linda's demeanor began to soften. "Stella's best friend, correct?"
• "Yes, how do you do, ma'am!" Fellis promptly stood up and smiled at Linda.
• "It must have been quite troublesome to carry all these gifts!" Linda glanced back at the gifts in Fellis's hands.
• "Stella has gone to great lengths to help me take care of Joy. It is only appropriate that I bring these gifts." Fellis sincerely smiled. She was truly grateful to have such a good friend.
• "I see... Stella truly loves this child," Linda said with a hint of dissatisfaction. She couldn't fathom whether her daughter-in-law was foolish or pretending to be ignorant, not knowing who her biological child was. It was possible that their clothes, food, and other necessities were all the same!
• "Fellis, did you come alone today? Did you not bring a friend or someone to introduce to Joy?" Linda glanced behind Fellis, her words carrying an implied meaning. "Joy is quite pitiful, being without a father. I believe..."
• "Ma!" Fellis knew it was impolite to interrupt someone, but she truly did not want Linda to discuss this matter in front of Joy.
• Her heart had hardened, and she had no desire to seek a lover or engage in any such affairs. Moreover, she was certain that Joy, being so young, would not want to call a stranger his father.
• At present, Fellis simply wanted to focus on her work and accumulate wealth. Once she had enough savings, she would take Joy away and care for him properly.
• "What, you do not wish to?" Linda immediately felt displeased that her words had been interrupted. "I am saying this for your own good. Look, a woman as young as you, no matter how much money you earn or how successful you become, it will all be in vain. In the end, women must rely on men."
• Fellis exerted great effort to resist the urge to confront Linda. She did not wish to argue with her. She was prepared to leave.
• "Mother, I believe Stella should be aware of my arrival. We should go upstairs first," Fellis suggested, attempting to change the subject.
• "You cannot simply dismiss it like that!" Linda recognized that Fellis did not wish to hear her words, but the more she resisted, the louder she became. "It would be better if you become annoyed and take this outcast child away, so I would no longer be a burden to your child!"
• Linda paid no mind to Fellis's already displeased expression and continued, "You cannot possibly remain unmarried for the rest of your life, can you? Good men are scarce nowadays. Look at Stella, she has excellent taste and luck. My son is the only college graduate in our village. I cannot fathom how fortunate Stella is to have married him! So, if someone shows interest in you, quickly get to know them and marry!"
• "Ma!" Fellis interrupted Linda with a loud voice. She disliked her words immensely.
• Furthermore, Fellis would never allow anyone to belittle her son as a 'waste!' Her child was her most precious treasure, and no one had the right to label him as such.
• Although Linda was her best friend's in-law, Fellis knew she should not argue with her. However, she also could not allow anyone to harm her child without consequence.
• "I do not wish to discuss this matter at the moment. I am perfectly fine on my own, so there is no need for you to expend your energy contemplating it. Let us proceed to see Stella," Fellis stated before taking Joy away, leaving Linda and Gabriella behind.
• As they walked away, Joy turned to look at angry Linda. The words uttered by Linda continued to echo in his ears.
• Observing Fellis's resolute demeanor, Linda suddenly became furious. She carried Gabriella and hurriedly walked past them, muttering, "Ungrateful child, no one would want to marry you!"
• Linda continued walking without even glancing at Fellis.
• Witnessing the figure of Stella's mother-in-law, Fellis's heart immediately filled with anger. She took several deep breaths until she regained her composure.
• It was then that Joy grabbed Fellis's hand with his tiny hand and said, "Mama!"
• Noticing that Joy wanted to say something, Fellis knelt down, aligning her gaze with Joy's eyes. She attempted to smile as she asked, "Is there something you would like to say, Joy?"
• "Mama, what is an outcast child?" Joy bit his lip, his clear eyes filled with vigilance. Fellis was deeply moved by this sight.
• At only 3 years old, Joy should be experiencing joy and carefree play, yet his mind had become so mature. Had he taken to heart everything the adults had said?
• With a heavy heart, Fellis extended her hand and gently caressed Joy's adorable cheek. She then smiled and said, "Joy does not need to know about that. Joy only needs to know that Mama loves you very much."
• Upon hearing Fellis's words, Joy did not display a happy expression. Instead, he lowered his gaze, as if contemplating something seriously.
• Meanwhile, Fellis remained kneeling in front of Joy, patiently waiting for him to finish speaking.
• After a moment of thought, Joy raised his head once again and asked, "Am I Mama's abandoned child? Are you unhappy because of me?"
• "No!" Fellis promptly denied it. She did not want her child to carry any unnecessary guilt at such a young age.
• Fellis held Joy's tiny face and earnestly looked into his eyes. "Joy, remember, you are not an abandoned child. You are Mama's most precious treasure, the source of Mama's strength to keep going. Therefore, Mama will only be happy if Joy is happy!"
• "Really? I am not an outcast?" Joy's eyes suddenly lit up.