Chapter 143

The freshly bought fruits still glistened with water droplets. Stella Valentine sliced them into an elegant arrangement and carried the platter toward the game room.

Ethan's excited cheers reached her before she even opened the door. "Daddy, you're amazing! You beat the level again!"

Mr. Alistair's deep, pleasant laughter followed. "Ethan, what did you just call me?"

"Daddy," Ethan tilted his head. "Isn't that right?"

"It is," Mr. Alistair ruffled his hair. "But did Mommy tell you that you have another daddy too?"

Ethan nodded. "She said the one we met at Great-Grandpa's house is also my daddy."

"Which daddy do you like more?"

Without hesitation, Ethan answered, "You!"

"Because I'm better at video games?"

"No," Ethan shook his head seriously. "Because you make Mommy smile. Uncle Hugo said the other daddy had another lady with him, and it made Mommy cry for so long. I don't like people who make Mommy cry."

Mr. Alistair fell silent for a moment. "If... that daddy realized he was wrong and wanted to treat Mommy well, would you forgive him?"

Ethan propped his chin in his hands, thinking hard. "Uncle Hugo says it's good to admit mistakes. But..." His little face scrunched up. "He wasn't there when Mommy was sad. What's the point of changing now? I still like you best!"

Stella's heart skipped a beat as she stood at the door.

She cleared her throat softly. Ethan immediately rushed over. "Mommy!"

"Sweetheart," she set the fruit platter down. "Have some fruit."

But Ethan picked up a toothpick first. "Daddy and Mommy should eat first."

Mr. Alistair looked surprised. "Who taught you that?"

"Uncle Hugo said to be polite," Ethan blinked his big eyes. "But at home, we don't have to be so formal, right?"

Once given permission, the little boy happily dug in, not forgetting to remind his baby sister in the crib. "Luna, grow up fast so I can share apples with you!"

Suddenly, Mr. Alistair took Stella's hand and led her into the bedroom.

"Mr. Alistair..."

"Don't be nervous," he chuckled softly. "I just wanted to ask—did you hear everything earlier?"

Stella nodded.

"Then," his voice tightened slightly, "if Adrian Roland truly repented, would you forgive him?"

Her answer was firm. "No. The cooling-off period is almost over. We've been done for a long time."

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes. "Even if he spent the rest of his life making it up to you?"

"Some wounds can't be healed."

......

In a dimly lit bar late at night, Adrian Roland sat with a glass of hot water in front of him.

Julian Valois swirled his whiskey. "Just water?"

"My stomach can't handle it," Adrian smiled bitterly. "She's making spicy food tomorrow."

"What did she say today?"

Adrian downed the hot water in one gulp, his voice hoarse through the rising steam. "She said... she doesn't hate me anymore."

Julian paused. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"No hatred means no care left." Adrian's eyes reddened. "The name 'Adrian Roland' has been completely erased from her heart."

"So what's your plan?"

"Let it be," he stubbed out his cigarette. "At least now, as Mr. Alistair, I can still stay by her side."

Julian frowned. "What about Mr. Xavier Atlante? And Lily Savigny..."

"I don't know." Adrian rubbed his temples wearily. "That night... I have no memory of it."

"The drug was that strong?"

"You know what her mother is capable of."

Julian shook his head. "You're truly unlucky to cross paths with that mother-daughter pair."

Adrian stared at the rippling water in his glass, his voice barely audible. "I'm not pitiful. I'm just... a fool."