Chapter 203

Stella Valentine stood before the Roland family estate, sunlight casting shadows across her pale face.

Ethan clutched her hand tightly. "Mom, is Dad really not coming?"

She knelt to straighten his collar. "Dad's busy with work. Great-grandpa will play with you today."

The estate gates creaked open.

Edward Roland hurried forward with his cane, silver beard trembling in the breeze. "Little Star!"

"Grandpa Edward." Stella forced a smile.

"Great-grandpa!" Ethan cheered, launching himself into the old man's arms.

Edward lifted his grandson but stumbled. Stella rushed to steady him. "Be careful."

"Nothing to worry about." The old man's eyes crinkled with laughter. "I'll always be strong enough to hold my great-grandson."

Benjamin Langley approached carrying Luna. "The young master still isn't answering his phone."

"That ungrateful brat!" Edward's cane struck the ground. "Abandoning his own children now?"

Stella's gaze locked onto Luna in Benjamin's arms. Her pupils contracted.

"Who brought Luna here?"

Benjamin looked startled. "Wasn't it your assistant? They said you were running late—"

Ice flooded Stella's fingertips. She'd sent no one.

The suited man who delivered Luna must have been sent by Mr. Grant. This was a warning.

The parlor overflowed with new toys—slides, rocking horses, plush animals. Ethan whooped and dashed inside.

"The master emptied an entire toy store," Benjamin chuckled.

Edward's expression softened. "Roland heirs deserve only the finest."

Benjamin redialed. "The young master's phone is off."

"Don't bother." Stella's voice was featherlight. "The children came to see you."

"Nonsense!" Edward's grip tightened on his cane. "Children need their father!"

Ethan rode a rocking horse toward them. "We have a dad! Our new dad's awesome!"

Silence swallowed the room.

Edward's face drained of color. "What new dad?"

"You know..." Ethan tilted his head. "Not the dad from before."

Stella didn't intervene. The truth needed to surface.

"Grandpa Edward, Adrian and I are over. He's getting married soon. So am I."

"Impossible!" The old man seized her wrist, trembling. "You two were destined!"

Ethan hugged his great-grandfather's leg. "New dad's a superhero! He gave me Iron Man!"

Edward's eyes reddened. "Those are Roland children..."

"They'll always be your great-grandchildren." Stella's tone remained gentle but unyielding. "But between Adrian and me... there's truly no future."

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Adrian Roland appeared in the doorway, his complexion ashen. "Grandfather. I'm here."