Chapter 195

Oliver's eyelashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes.

When he recognized Stella Valentine's face, his eyes instantly reddened. "Auntie..."

The boy was about the same age as Ethan, equally well-behaved and equally unfortunate. Hearing his hoarse voice, Stella felt as if a needle had pierced her heart.

She carefully pulled Oliver into her arms, using her sleeve to wipe his tear-streaked face. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Oliver's hair had grown longer, now damp and clinging to his cheeks. His freshly dried face soon became wet again—whether from river water or tears was unclear.

His pale face was frighteningly gaunt, his cheeks hollowed out since their last meeting, with dark circles under his eyes. The little boy who once waited for his mother outside the hospital had now lost even his smile.

The light in his eyes had dimmed with his mother's departure.

Stella's heart ached fiercely as she held him tighter. "Let me take you to change, okay? Wet clothes will make you sick."

Oliver's gaze drifted toward the nearby river before he suddenly buried his face in her chest like a frightened animal. "Auntie, I don't want to see anyone else..."

"Okay. Just you and me."

Only then did Oliver gradually calm down, giving a small nod in her arms.

Stella exchanged a glance with Joy Fairsprene, whose red-rimmed eyes immediately understood. She quickly led the director away to arrange a private room.

Once they were alone, Stella gently stroked the back of Oliver's head. "Are you crying?"

He shook his head. "Mom said boys have to be strong."

"It's okay to be vulnerable sometimes."

Oliver looked up, tears glistening. "Really?"

"Of course. Everyone has emotions—happiness, sadness, anger. Your mom wanted you to be strong because seeing you cry would hurt her heart. You wouldn't want that, right?"

Oliver's breathing steadied. "Auntie... I don't have a mom anymore."

"She just went to another star."

"Another star?"

"Yes. There are countless stars in the universe. She's on the brightest one. I'll show you tonight."

Oliver's eyes lit up. "Can I go find her?"

"Not yet," Stella said softly. "But one day, there will be a way."

"Then I will! I'll fly a spaceship to see Mom!"

"Great. Take me with you."

"You want to come too?"

"Yes. My dad is there as well."

Oliver's expression softened as he patted her hand. "We'll go together."

Stella smiled. "Deal."

"Auntie..." He hesitated. "Can Mom see me?"

"Of course. She's always watching over you."

Oliver lowered his head. "Then she must have been sad... seeing me jump into the river. Did Mom send you to save me?"

Stella nodded. "Yes. She was very worried."

"I'm sorry..." His voice cracked. "But I miss her so much..."

She held him close, pressing a kiss to his hair. "What Mom wants most is for you to be happy. That way, she can wait for you peacefully on her star."

"Auntie, I'm sleepy..."

Finally relaxing in her familiar embrace, exhaustion from the past days quickly pulled Oliver into sleep.

Stella gently rubbed his back. "Rest now. I've got you."

The small body in her arms gradually warmed, his breathing evening out.

"Sometimes, a kind lie is the best comfort."

Stella looked up to find Mr. Alistair standing behind her, his tall frame shielding her from the chilly wind.

Lately, he always wore black.

"When did you get here?"

"A while ago." He bent down. "Let me carry him. He's heavy."

Her arms had gone numb, but she feared waking Oliver.

Yet Mr. Alistair effortlessly took the boy with one arm, his movements surprisingly gentle.

Watching Oliver sleep soundly in his hold, Stella finally stretched her sore arms.

"Where's your car?" she asked. "You've been riding the motorcycle a lot lately."

Adrian chuckled. "Sold them all. Once you're ready here, we'll leave."

"You've changed recently."

"Have I?"

"Yes." She smiled. "You feel more real than when we first met."

"...Real?"

"Mm. Before, you seemed like an omnipotent god—always appearing when I needed help. After learning your identity, it was like... a deity stepping down from the altar, becoming someone familiar."

Adrian's smile stiffened. "Maybe it's fate."

Stella shook her head. "Not just fate. After you were injured, I realized... you remind me of someone."

"...Who?"

"Adrian Roland." Her voice softened. "Lately, I've been dreaming of our childhood. Your mannerisms, your speech—they're so much like his. The way he was before everything changed."

She paused. "That incident altered him too much. Turned someone gentle into a person full of bitterness."