Chapter 106

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains when the doorbell's sharp ring startled Stella Valentine awake.

"Mommy..." Ethan rubbed his sleepy eyes by her bedside. "Someone's at the door."

Her chest tightened. They'd only moved into this apartment yesterday—very few people knew the address.

Joy had gone to a concert last night and would still be asleep at this hour. As for Mr. Alistair...he was always cautious, never visiting unannounced in broad daylight.

"Sweetheart, go back to your room," she whispered. "Lock the door."

Only after ensuring Ethan's safety did Stella approach the entrance. The peephole revealed a kindly unfamiliar face.

"Miss Valentine? I'm your new nanny," came a cheerful voice.

Nanny? Stella frowned. She hadn't hired one.

"Who sent you?"

"A young gentleman. He mentioned you love chicken wonton soup and had me bring some."

Her heart skipped. Mr. Alistair.

Upon opening the door, the middle-aged woman introduced as Martha beamed, waving a food container. "That gentleman paid me ten times the usual rate!"

Martha...wonton soup... Stella's fingers trembled slightly. He remembered even these small details.

"Mommy!" Ethan suddenly darted out. "Luna wet the bed—"

Martha immediately set down the food. "I'll handle it! Miss Valentine, eat while it's hot."

Watching Martha's bustling figure, Stella momentarily saw her former nanny's shadow.

"Mommy," Ethan tugged her sleeve, "did our new daddy hire her?"

Stella crouched to his eye level. "We're not married yet. Just call him Uncle."

"What's Uncle's last name?"

The question froze her. She still didn't know Mr. Alistair's real name.

Returning to the dining area after washing up, Martha already held giggling Luna while Ethan playfully teased his sister.

"You're truly blessed, Miss Valentine," Martha remarked. "The gentleman even handles midnight feedings himself. In all my years as a nanny, I've never seen such a devoted man."

Stella's chopsticks paused. She distinctly remembered waking for last night's feeding...

Her phone vibrated. A message from Mr. Alistair appeared: 【This wonton soup tastes like Martha's. Try it】

The first sip brought familiar warmth to her eyes—an exact replica of memory's flavor.

【Delicious】 she replied.

The screen lit up again: 【Stella, I can do far more for you than this】

Like a pebble disturbing still waters, the words sent ripples through her heart. She suddenly realized—in unseen ways, Mr. Alistair had already woven a tender safety net around her.