Chapter 16

Stella Valentine's throat tightened as if something was lodged in it.

"Miss Valentine? Are you still there?"

"Yes." She swallowed hard. "Will Adrian Roland be there for the divorce proceedings?"

"Mr. Roland has authorized me to handle everything."

"Tell him to come." Her nails dug into her palms. "I have something to tell him."

Damian Chamberlain sighed uncomfortably. "You know he doesn't want to see you."

Of course she knew.

But...

"Tell him I'm pregnant."

"What?!"

"I'm carrying his child. I need to see him."

Silence stretched for several seconds before Damian spoke again, his voice laced with pity. "Miss Valentine... Mr. Roland has already left the country with Lily Savigny. She just had a miscarriage and is traumatized. They're on a plane right now."

"...How long?"

"At least a year. Miss Savigny wants to travel the world..."

"..."

"Mr. Roland has arranged all company matters. He only wants to focus on accompanying Miss Savigny now."

Stella closed her eyes. Her chest ached as if being struck repeatedly by a blunt object. Adrian always knew how to make her numb with pain.

"I understand."

"Will you come to the civil affairs bureau now?"

"No."

"Miss Valentine..."

"Don't worry." She laughed softly. "Divorce or widowhood—it makes no difference to him. I'll give him whatever he wants."

Static crackled through the line. "What did you say?"

"Nothing. Goodbye."

A female officer nearby looked at her with concern. "Miss Valentine, do you need to go home and rest? Where do you live?"

Stella gently touched her flat stomach, a tender smile playing on her lips.

"Home? I lost that a long time ago."

......

One year later.

Houston International Airport.

Lily Savigny clung to Adrian Roland's arm, pouting. "Why do you keep frowning?"

Adrian rubbed his temples. "I just feel uneasy."

"Missing home?" She leaned against his shoulder. "Don't forget your promise—we'll get married as soon as we return."

"Mm." He pulled out his phone. "I'll get some water and have Damian bring the divorce papers."

Lily kissed his cheek.

As Adrian stepped aside to make the call, an unknown number flashed on his screen.

"Mr. Roland?" The voice on the other end was urgent. "You need to come to City Hospital immediately! Your child's surgery requires your signature!"

"What child?"

"No mistake! Your wife scheduled a stem cell transplant, but we can't reach her—"

Adrian was baffled when Damian's call came through.

"Mr. Roland," Damian's tone was grave. "You should come to the hospital."

"What's going on?"

"Miss Valentine... she just..."