Chapter 139

"Stella..."

Stella Valentine gently interrupted, "Mr. Alistair, you're afraid I'll leave once I see your true face, aren't you?"

A sigh came through the phone. "Not afraid. Certain. The moment you know who I am, you'll walk away without looking back."

"You promised not to lie to me."

"And I haven't. I've held nothing back."

The corners of Stella's lips lifted. "As long as you're not Adrian Roland, I'll accept whoever you are."

Silence filled the line.

"Mr. Alistair?"

"What if..." His voice trembled slightly. "What if I look exactly like him?"

To his surprise, Stella's tone remained light. "As long as your soul isn't his, the resemblance doesn't matter."

Adrian let out a bitter laugh. "Right. As long as the soul is someone else's..."

He recalled Julian Valois's warning—both Joy Fairsprene and Stella now believed "Mr. Alistair" was his long-lost twin brother.

"Alright. I'll wait for you downstairs."

"I'm coming right now!"

If playing the role of his brother was what it took...

Adrian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn't care about the disguise, as long as he could hold her again.

At least he wouldn't have to hide anymore.

Stella grabbed her phone and dashed out, only realizing at the doorstep that she was still wearing her fluffy slippers.

Her heart pounded wildly, cheeks burning.

"Where are you?"

"Turn around. Look to your right."

In the small garden, a figure approached slowly.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly.

The black suit accentuated his tall frame. A light blue tie. Gold-rimmed glasses. And that face—identical to Adrian's.

Stella's breath hitched. "...Mr. Alistair?"

He opened his arms. "Stella, come here."

On the third-floor balcony, Ethan clapped excitedly. "It's Daddy! Martha, look!"

Martha Clementson stared in shock at the man whose features mirrored the little boy's.

"Daddy's so handsome!" Ethan stood on tiptoe, eyes sparkling. "Mommy's running into his arms!"

"Ethan, close your eyes!"

"Why?"

"Because..." Martha thought quickly. "Daddy's transforming into a superhero."

Ethan immediately covered his eyes. "What about Mommy?"

"She's being protected by Daddy."

"When can I watch Daddy transform?"

Martha gently smoothed his hair. "Tonight, Mommy and Daddy are saving the world. How about I stay with you?"

Downstairs, Adrian caught Stella as she threw herself into his embrace.

He wanted to crush her against him, yet feared hurting her injuries.

"You're really Mr. Alistair?"

"Of course."

The familiar scent of citrus-and-alcohol cologne enveloped her.

"You've been through so much," Stella murmured, tilting her head up.

The twilight softened his sharp jawline, leaving only tension visible.

"Joy told you?"

"She mentioned some things." She rested her head against his chest. "Why did the Rolands never speak of you?"

"Probably..." His arms tightened around her. "They thought I was gone."

Tears welled in Stella's eyes.

The last time she'd been held like this was when she returned from studying abroad.

Her flight had been delayed until 3 a.m., yet Adrian waited in the cold wearing only a thin shirt.

"Silly. Why didn't you wait inside?"

"You're afraid of the dark." He'd cupped her face. "From now on, I'll meet you in every shadowed place."