I guess you can tell I really hate Tony and really bashing him in this chapter. This story is far from over though and Tony isn't going to give up so easily.
Barney had given her the nastiest look when they arrived. So Stella stayed in the waiting room till he wasn't with Ted. Lily could see after a while she wanted to see him so she dragged Barney out to get some snacks.
His anger boils even more when he walks into his best friends room. Ted is asleep now under pain medication and she is gently stroking his hair.
"Why do you act like you care about him?" he spat angrily to her. She turns around and gives him a hurt look.
"I'm not acting Barney, Ted is an amazing guy and I do care for him"
"Liar" he accuses and she raises a brow. "Barney…"
"Oh don't give me that tone Stella!" he hisses at her sharply. "If you truly cared you'd have just married Ted and forgotten Tony…or were you just using my best friend to get Tony jealous?" he accuses.
"Barney…" she gasps his name again.
"It's not her fault Barney" Ted mutters and his eyes flutter open. "You don't have to take her side bro…" Barney says and Ted shakes his head slowly.
"It's the truth Barney" he insists. Stella looks into his eyes and sees Ted's figured it all out.
"So you know then?" she asks and he gives a small nod.
"Know what?" Barney asks. Stella looks to him and tears form in her eyes.
"I never told anyone this Barney but…I…I didn't plan on Lucy…Tony raped me and got me pregnant with her"
"I knew it" Ted murmured. "When Tony beat me he kept saying you were his property, that dude is freaking insane" he adds.
Stella gives a small shaky nod. "I'm terrified of him and its why I finally gave into you Ted. I was scared you'd hurt me like he did but then I saw how kind you were and….I fell in love"
"When you left me at the alter…"
"He threatened me and forced me to go back to him" she admits.
Barney's face softens and he gently strokes her hair. "I'm sorry Stella" he says quietly and she gives him a warm smile.
"It's okay Barney, I come to realize not every man is as cruel as Tony and you were just protecting Ted" she told him.
"Now we're going to protect you" Lily pipes in. She, Marshall and Robin finally caught up to Barney just as Stella admitted about being raped.
"Do you really think you can? I'd much rather be with Ted and have Lucy be safe" she asks.
"We promise we'll keep you safe" Marshall answers.