Chapter 140

2:45 AM.

Stella Valentine slept soundly in Adrian Roland's arms.

The woman who had promised to stargaze with him was now deep in slumber against his chest.

Adrian tightened his embrace slightly, pulling her closer.

His phone lit up in the darkness.

The flashing number darkened his gaze. "Speak."

"Mr. Roland, Mr. Xavier requests your presence tomorrow morning."

"Reason?"

"The same matter as before."

"..."

"Will you go?"

"Time to end this."

......

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, pooling at the edge of the bed.

Stella opened her eyes to find Ethan blinking up at her from where he perched on the mattress.

"Mommy!"

The little boy launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her neck. "I missed you so much!"

She pulled him under the covers, fingers threading through his soft hair. "Why are you up so early?"

Ethan burrowed against her. "Mommy, did you and Daddy fight monsters last night?"

Stella froze. "...Who told you that?"

"Martha said Daddy's a superhero!" Ethan's eyes sparkled. "Did he use laser vision to beat the bad guys?"

A laugh escaped her.

Mr. Alistair had indeed been heroic last night.

His warm palms enveloping her cold feet. His scorching kisses tracing her lips.

"Daddy's very special," she murmured.

Ethan pouted. "Uncle Hugo says I have to grow up before I can see Daddy transform."

Stella studied her son's innocent face.

This sunshine child was Adrian's gift to her.

"Mommy, when will I be grown up?"

"Soon." She brushed his cheek. "Daddy found you a new school."

"Then can I see his superpowers?"

"When Daddy comes home, I'll ask him."

Her phone screen illuminated.

[Awake?]

Her lips curved. [Yes.]

[Sleep well?]

[Very.]

[Good.]

She hesitated. [We don't have to text now.]

[Stella, I'm not ready to talk face-to-face yet.]

She suppressed a smile.

Who would believe the ruthless CEO could be this shy in private?

[Coming home for dinner?] She added after a beat: [Ethan wants to see you.]

[And you?]

Her cheeks warmed. [Me too.]

[Too what?]

This infuriating man.

[I miss you.]

[I'll return early.]

[Waiting.]

"Mommy! What did Daddy say?" Ethan bounced impatiently.

"Daddy promised to come home early for dinner with you."

"Yay!" The boy cheered. "I finally get to meet Super Daddy!"

Stella squeezed his small hand. "Remember what Mommy told you? The Daddy at Great-grandpa's house is different from the Daddy now."

Ethan tilted his head. "But they look the same."

"Like twins."

"But..." He scratched his head. "Mommy, I think they're the same person."

Stella dismissed it as childhood confusion.

She was grateful for Ethan's cheerful nature—he adored both "Daddies" equally.

Likely thanks to Hugo Merovingian's devoted care in Switzerland.

......

Houston Grand Hotel Penthouse.

Adrian stood before carved wooden doors.

"Enter." A gravelly voice summoned.

By the floor-to-ceiling windows, an elderly man in traditional attire sipped tea with his back turned.

"Uncle Xavier."

The man rotated slowly. "Sit."

"You wanted to discuss something?"

Mr. Xavier lifted a celadon teacup. "Try the new Wuyi Rock tea?"

"Skip the pleasantries." Adrian met his gaze directly. "State your business."

"Remember our agreement?"

The rainy night six years ago flashed before him.

Parents dead. Empire in ruins. Mr. Xavier had offered rebirth.

For three promises.

First: Surpass the Shi family within two years.

He'd succeeded.

Blinded by hatred then, he'd only wanted to prove himself to Stella.

Later she returned as his docile wife.

Yet he'd kept hurting her.

Until Mr. Alistair emerged.

His gentler self who cherished only her.

By day, the ruthless Adrian Roland. By night, the tender "Mr. Alistair."

Until that fateful moment—

When both souls finally merged.