The War.

Chapter 51: Regret.

TW: MENTIONS OF ABUSE

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Mia looked up at Stella, her eyes heavy with exhaustion but still searching, almost pleading. She didn't expect mercy—she knew she wouldn't find it here. But as her gaze lingered on Stella's face, something unexpected happened. The icy, unrelenting determination that had defined Stella from the moment they met seemed to waver. Her powerful and commanding presence cracked, her expression shifting into something fragile, something vulnerable.

Mia furrowed her brow, shooting Stella a confused glance. Slowly, Stella lowered her hand, the vibrant energy she had summoned sparking briefly before extinguishing altogether. Her fingers twitched, and for a moment, the room felt unbearably still, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Then, everything shifted.

Stella's face twisted, her confusion and disbelief morphing into unbridled fury. With a guttural roar, she spun around and punched the wall behind Mia, her fist crashing through the concrete like it was paper. The force shook the entire room, dust falling from the cracks as her energy surged uncontrollably around her. Sparks of electricity crackled in the air, and the temperature dropped sharply before spiking again, the entire space trembling under her volatile power.

"That motherfucker lied to me," Stella spat, her voice trembling with rage. Her energy spiraled out of control, tendrils of light and darkness coiling around her like a storm. She clenched her fists, and an arc of lightning shot across the room, scorching the wall. A pulse of fiery heat followed, the flames flickering wildly before disappearing into nothingness.

Mia flinched as the air grew dense and oppressive, her breathing shallow as Stella's powers raged. A jagged shard of ice formed at Stella's fingertips before shattering in her grip, scattering across the floor like broken glass. Every burst of power felt like a reflection of Stella's inner turmoil, her raw, unfiltered emotions spilling into the physical world.

Mia glanced at her again, her confusion deepening, but before she could ask what was happening, Stella's powers abruptly fizzled out. She stood there, panting, her shoulders rising and falling as she fought to compose herself. Without a word, she turned and stormed out, her heels echoing against the concrete floor. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Mia alone in the cold, chaotic silence.

Stella stormed into her office with a force that made the door rattle on its hinges as it slammed shut, the reverberation echoing through the room. Both Ella and Siobhan jumped at the sudden noise, their eyes wide with alarm. But for Ella, it wasn't the sound that sent her heart racing—it was the sight of Stella, her clothes streaked with crimson. 

The dark, sticky stains painted across Stella's shirt and hands were unmistakable, and Ella's mind immediately leapt to one conclusion: the blood was Mia's. Her stomach dropped, and she clutched at her arms, trying to suppress the rising wave of panic. Tears welled in her eyes, but she was too terrified to let them fall, too paralyzed to even speak. 

Stella, oblivious to their reactions, began pacing back and forth across the room, muttering furiously under her breath. Her words were sharp but fragmented, tumbling out so quickly they were almost impossible to piece together. Ella and Siobhan exchanged nervous glances, but neither dared interrupt her spiraling rage. 

From the garbled shouts, one word stood out clearly—Roger.

Siobhan's eyes narrowed, her mind racing to connect the dots. If Roger was involved, it could only mean trouble. She leaned forward slightly, her expression grim, but she stayed silent, watching Stella like one might watch a wild animal cornered and ready to strike.