Chapter 151

Twenty-nine years and seven months.

Stella Valentine silently calculated Mr. Alistair's age. He and Adrian Roland were twins, sharing the same birthday. At least she didn't have to memorize another date.

Though it didn't seem entirely fair to him.

"Auntie, don't worry," Joy Fairsprene chimed in with a playful wink. "Stella's new boyfriend treats her like a queen. I'm practically green with envy."

Grace Laurent chuckled. "Don't you have a doting boyfriend of your own? Why envy Stella?"

Joy's eyes widened. "How did you know? Did Stella tell you?"

Grace pointed at Joy's collar.

Looking down, Joy saw her white V-neck sweater had slipped, revealing a reddish mark near her collarbone. She hastily covered it. "Mosquito bite!"

"Skip the concealer," Grace advised gently. "Wear something breathable. That sweater looks stuffy."

Joy mumbled, cheeks flushed, "I'll get him back later..."

Ethan Valentine peered curiously. "Godmother, why do mosquitoes only bite there?"

"Because it was a super evil mosquito!"

"I'll ask Daddy to swat it for you!"

Joy pinched Ethan's cheeks affectionately. "Stella, if marriage produced kids this adorable, I might actually consider it."

Laughter filled the hospital room. Grace watched the two contrasting personalities play with Ethan, time flying by.

"Time to go," she reminded them. "Someone's waiting outside. Stella, remember your father's words—good intentions make good people."

Stella nodded. "I will."

"Visit your father and grandparents... with the children when you can."

"I'll find time."

Outside, their driver approached immediately. "Miss Valentine, heading back?"

"Yes, sorry for the wait."

He beamed. "Your happiness makes any wait worthwhile."

Joy shot him a knowing look. "Careful, young man. Dangerous thoughts."

The driver turned crimson. "I'm just glad for Mr. Alistair. Hearing about Miss Valentine's wellbeing is his only joy these years."

"That's more like it..." Joy smirked.

In the car, Joy suddenly produced two tickets. "Almost forgot."

Front-row seats to Harry Vance's concert.

"Impossible to get," Joy bragged. "Take your mysterious Mr. Alistair for some romance."

Stella accepted them. "I actually made a childhood wish list..."

"What list?"

"Just naive dreams. But later..." She shook her head with a bitter smile.

"You're only twenty-six!" Joy encouraged. "Plenty of time to make them come true!"

......

Lily Savigny flipped through a notebook retrieved from Stella's old belongings, sneering as she read aloud:

"See snow in Houston? Winter temperatures hit fifty-nine degrees here. Keep dreaming."

The fingerprint lock beeped.

Adrian entered, bringing a chill with him. "What else do you want?"

"Must you be so cold?" Lily stroked her belly irritably. "Remember, Stella still needs my lung."

"Name your price. Money, property, shares, or the company?"

"Even your company?"

"I'd give my life if it meant you'd donate that lung."

She laughed lightly. "Love her that much?"

"State your terms."

"I want you here every night until this baby's born."

"Impossible."

Her smile vanished. "If you loved her so much, where were you before?"

Adrian's gaze turned glacial. "Without your manufactured misunderstandings, none of this would've happened. To me, you're just a lung container now."

"But you hurt her most," Lily taunted. "She's with Victor Valence now, while you—"

"Victor? Who told you that?"

"Was it hard to guess?" She smirked triumphantly. "Oh, and you still don't know who her precious 'Mr. Alistair' is, do you? Stay tonight, and I'll tell you."