Chapter 177

Stella Valentine stood before the old house, her fingertips lightly tracing the weathered wall. Time had left its marks here, taking away too many memories with it.

Grace Laurent's eyes reddened.

"Mom?"

"It's nothing." Grace turned her face away, voice trembling. "It just feels like... your father is still here."

Stella's heart clenched. She grasped her mother's shaking hand.

Charlie Macmillan approached with blueprints. "Miss Valentine, there's a detail we need to confirm."

"Go ahead."

"The banyan tree Martha planted in the garden years ago... should we restore it?"

Stella's breath caught.

That tree.

It held all the secrets of her girlhood.

Adrian Roland used to wait for her beneath it. They'd climb to the top to watch stars, staying there all night. Countless youthful confessions hid among those rustling leaves.

"No." She said softly. "Plant sunflowers instead."

Charlie nodded and made a note.

"One more thing." Stella suddenly remembered. "The children—"

"Mr. Alistair has arranged everything." Charlie handed her a schedule. "Ethan will be under my care, Luna with Martha. They'll visit the Roland family estate on weekends."

Stella froze.

"He even thought of..."

"Mr. Alistair never wants you to worry." Charlie gave her a meaningful look. "He only hopes you'll always trust him."

Stella frowned. "What's happening?"

"Soon." Charlie avoided the question. "You'll understand very soon."

Grace wiped her tears and approached. "Will that gentleman... be coming tonight?"

The tips of Stella's ears turned pink.

Countless nights, that man had arrived in silence. Vanishing before dawn like a dream she never wanted to wake from.

"It's too late." She murmured. "Another time."

Charlie smiled without responding.

He knew—no matter the distance, that man would come.

After seeing Charlie off, the old servants gathered around. Stella quietly slipped away, retreating to her childhood room.

Floral bedsheets. Floral curtains. Dresses hanging in the closet—identical to those Adrian had given her.

She collapsed onto the bed and quickly fell asleep.

In her dream, she returned to eighteen.

At the desk, her younger self chewed a pencil while writing a wish list:

"Plant sunflowers for Mom."

"Take Dad to see the northern lights."

"Learn to make braised pork—just to tease Adrian!"

The pen paused, then added in smaller script:

"Watch stars with him on a Ferris wheel. If he's smart enough to figure it out."

In her sleep, she felt arms encircle her from behind.

The familiar scent of eau de cologne filled her senses.

"You're breaking our agreement..." She mumbled drowsily. "If Dad finds out—"

The arms around her suddenly tightened.

Stella jolted awake.