Chapter 135

"The doctor said it's stress-induced dissociative disorder. To be precise, I did develop a second personality, but it's still me."

"It's the version of you that loved Stella Valentine with all your heart. Remember the first thing you said when you came to me that night?"

Adrian Roland gave a bitter smile. "I remember. I said—'Give me a cigarette.'"

Julian Valois sighed. "You smoked the entire night. The floor was littered with cigarette butts. I was afraid you'd smoke yourself to death."

Adrian gazed out the window. "The stars were beautiful that night."

"Beautiful, yes. And you wasted an entire bottle of my cologne!"

"I had no choice. She couldn't stand the smell of smoke."

Julian fell silent for a moment. "You still love her, even while hating her. Adrian, I thought Joy and I had it rough, but you... When did you finally come to your senses?"

"When I discovered Lily Savigny and her mother were the real culprits behind the car accident."

Julian's eyes widened. "It was really them?"

"Yes." Adrian rubbed his face in anguish. "Looking back now, I should be grateful for 'Mr. Alistair.' If he hadn't appeared, Stella and I would have been finished for good."

"But she still rejects you."

"Yet she likes Mr. Alistair."

Julian frowned. "What happens when she finds out you're him? Will she accept it?"

Adrian's expression darkened.

She had said any identity was fine—as long as it wasn't Adrian Roland.

As long as it wasn't him.

"I don't know," he admitted hoarsely. "But I can't let her go."

"I understand." Julian sighed. "But are you really content to meet her only as Mr. Alistair? Sneaking around in the shadows?"

Adrian pressed his lips together. "Once I settle everything, I'll face her properly."

"What things?"

"Reclaiming the Valentine family's assets. Investigating the accident. Making the culprits pay. Clearing her name."

"What about Lily's child?" Julian asked, confused. "How did you let that happen?"

Adrian looked exhausted. "She drugged me."

"Drugged you?!" Julian's shock quickly turned to suspicion. "Something's off. Joy overheard the doctor at the hospital say Lily couldn't conceive. And with her mother behind her..."

Sophia Durand was far more cunning than her daughter.

The car accident. Lily's calculated approach. Ethan's leukemia. Luna accidentally consuming alcohol...

Thinking of what the children had endured, Adrian clenched his phone until his knuckles turned white.

"None of them will get away with this."

A rustling sound came through the phone. Julian lowered his voice. "Joy's awake. I have to go. I'll keep this between us until you're ready."

"Thanks, brother."

Julian's tone lightened. "I should be thanking you. If not for this mess, Joy and I might never have..." He chuckled. "Never mind. I need to cook for that girl."

Hearing his friend had found happiness, Adrian felt a faint warmth in his chest.

Soon.

Once everything was settled, he would go to his Stella.

"Oh," Julian added suddenly, "Joy's been asking about your 'brother.' They might suspect Mr. Alistair is connected to him. If she truly can't accept you... maybe you could use that identity—"

"I'll think about it."

......

In the hospital room, Stella carefully noted the nurse's instructions.

"Why do you need cotton swabs?" the nurse asked.

"After general anesthesia, patients can't drink water. Cotton swabs help moisten their lips."

The nurse looked surprised. "Are you in the medical field?"

Stella shook her head. "Just learned from experience."

Handing over the swabs, the nurse smiled at Mr. Edward Roland. "Your granddaughter is very thoughtful."

Though still groggy, the old man managed a weak smile.

Stella corrected gently, "I'm not—"

"Then you are...?"

"His granddaughter-in-law. For now." She paused. "We're getting divorced soon."

The nurse tactfully excused herself, nearly bumping into Adrian at the door.

He stepped aside to let her pass before entering the room.

The moment Mr. Edward saw him, his expression darkened. "Go away..."

Adrian remained still. "Grandfather, I'm staying to take care of you."

"I want my great-grandchildren... Not you!" the old man insisted weakly.

Stella picked up her bag. "Mr. Roland, I should go. The children are waiting at home."

Edward clutched her sleeve. "Come back..."

"I'll bring them to visit," she promised softly. "But the divorce is happening. There's nothing left between Adrian and me but pain. No point forcing it. He'll move on. So will I."