Chapter 138

"Why do you say that?"

"Think about it! Adrian and his brother are blood-related, yet just because the elder has mental illness, their parents completely abandoned him. All these years, they've treated Adrian as their only son, as if they've forgotten the other even exists! He must be seething with resentment, wanting to reclaim the family fortune that rightfully belongs to him!"

Stella frowned slightly. "...Sibling rivalry? But Mr. Alistair isn't lacking in wealth..."

"This isn't about money. It's about dignity!" Joy declared firmly. "I can picture his life trajectory—abandoned by his parents as a child, forced to watch his younger brother bask in glory while stealing the woman he loved. Before, he had no power to fight back. But now that you're divorced and he's gained influence, isn't this the perfect moment for revenge?"

"...Is that really the case?"

"Absolutely!" Joy sounded exhilarated, as if she'd uncovered a hidden truth. She softened her tone. "Stella, Julian was right—life is a series of goodbyes and new encounters. Don't cling too tightly to the past. Living in the present is what matters most."

Stella chuckled lightly. "Did he tell you that?"

"Yes," Joy grumbled. "He definitely knows more than he lets on, but he doles out information like squeezing toothpaste. I'm starting to think he's doing it on purpose—setting traps for me to fall into!"

"Joy... I actually envy you."

"Envy me?" Joy's voice rose in disbelief. "You have no idea how infuriating Julian can be—"

Listening to her friend vent about Julian's "misdeeds," Stella felt an unexpected calm settle over her.

Those so-called "misdeeds" were nothing more than Julian scheming to make Joy his secretary—forcing her to accompany him to work, refusing to let her leave after hours. Using tidbits about Mr. Alistair as bait to keep her close, dragging her along for grocery runs, cooking together, watching TV, and finally falling asleep in each other's arms.

"All calculated moves!" Joy huffed indignantly. "Stella, if there's anything else you want to know, I'll squeeze it out of Julian these next few days. Once I get the intel, I'm out of here!"

Joy yearned for freedom.

Julian longed for the warmth he'd lost and regained.

Perhaps they were right for each other, but fate kept bringing them together at the wrong time.

What about her and Adrian?

A decade-long love story that had spanned most of her life. Had they been wrong for each other from the start, or had all those years been a mistake?

No one could say for certain until the very end.

Joy might be naive, but Stella understood Julian's intentions.

He'd known all along that Joy had returned to him solely to uncover information about Mr. Alistair. Through her, he was sending Stella a message: focus on the present, don't dig too deep.

If even Julian was saying this... Mr. Alistair's past must have been far from kind.

"Miss Stella, dinner's ready!"

In the dining room, Martha had prepared chicken wonton soup.

Little Ethan helped set the table, though Martha wouldn't let him near the hot dishes.

The boy bounded over. "Mommy, is Daddy coming home late again today?"

"...Probably."

"I really want to eat with Daddy..."

Stella took his hand and led him to the table. "There will be chances."

After dinner, the sky hadn't yet darkened.

Mother and son were both waiting for the same person.

Martha smiled knowingly. "Miss Stella, why not take Ethan for a walk downstairs? Once it gets dark, Mr. Alistair will be back!"

Flushing at being seen through, Stella's ears burned. "I... wasn't waiting for him."

Martha's smile deepened. "Missing him is natural. I'm sure he's thinking of you too—he might already be on his way."

A sudden worry gripped Stella.

She pulled out her phone and texted: 【Drive carefully.】

Beep—

【How was the wonton soup?】

【You knew we were having wonton soup? Did you ask Martha to make it?】

【Her recipe has changed. Does it still suit your taste?】

【It's delicious.】

【Good.】

【Mr. Alistair, the weather's getting colder. The nights come earlier now.】

【And?】

【And... that means I can see you sooner.】

This time, the reply didn't come immediately.

It was the first time she'd ever bared her heart like this in a text. Stella's cheeks burned, her pulse quickening.

How would Mr. Alistair respond?

The wait stretched on, her phone remaining silent.

Doubt crept in. Had she been too forward?

But shouldn't he be happy? Why wasn't he replying?

Ring—

The phone lit up with his call. Stella answered instantly. "Hello?"

"Stella..."

"Why didn't you reply? Did you... not like what I said?"

"How could I not like it?" His exhale was heavy with satisfaction. "It's just... after reading your message, my fingertips were trembling."

"..."

"I kept making typos, deleting and rewriting. In the end, I couldn't take it anymore—I had to call you." His voice brimmed with unconcealed joy. "Stella, I miss you."

Stella laughed softly. "You sound just like Ethan. Even if we're apart for five minutes, he says he misses me when we meet again."

"Me too. Stella, even if we're separated for only five minutes, I'll still miss you desperately when we reunite."

Stella bit her lip, her face aflame. "You... wait a moment."

Covering the receiver, she hurried to the balcony in flustered haste.

Behind her, Ethan and Martha's quiet laughter followed.

"Martha, is Mommy feeling shy?"

"More than shy—she's feeling sweet."

"What's sweet? Like candy?"

"Sweeter than candy."

Though Ethan didn't fully understand, as long as Mommy was happy, so was he.

Whether it was his new daddy or old daddy, any daddy who could make Mommy smile was a good daddy!

On the balcony, the cool breeze soothed her heated cheeks. Stella took a deep breath. "Okay, you can keep talking now."

His amusement deepened. "Embarrassed?"

"...No."

"Then why hide on the balcony?"

Stella blinked. "Can you see me? Are you back?"

"Mmm. Waiting for nightfall, just like you."

"..."

"But the sun is being stubborn, refusing to clock out." He sighed in mock lament. "If the sun won't leave, how can the little star come out to play?"

The term "little star" sent a tremor through her heart.

"Mr. Alistair."

"Yes?"

Summoning her courage, she whispered, "Can I... come down to see you now?"