Chapter 226

A sharp pain suddenly pierced her heart.

"Ah—" Penny Anderson gasped in surprise.

Stella Valentine quickly released her grip. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Rubbing her wrist, Penny asked cautiously, "Stella, did you... know Mr. Roland before?"

The air froze for a moment.

"Yes." Stella lowered her lashes. "Distant relatives."

"Relatives?" Adrian Roland let out a cold laugh.

The answer made his chest tighten.

The woman who once shared his bed was now just a "distant relative."

"I see!" Penny exclaimed. "No wonder you helped me. By the way, are you attending Mr. Roland's wedding this weekend?"

Ahem! Adrian coughed loudly.

Wendy Evans secretly sighed in relief. But something about Stella's delicate profile unsettled her.

"Miss... Stella," Wendy forced a smile as she approached. "My apologies for earlier. We'll be family soon."

Stella nodded coolly. "It's Valentine."

"So you and Adrian are..."

"Cousins."

Wendy eagerly linked arms with her. "Stella, could you help me try on wedding dresses? You have such a perfect figure—"

Stella withdrew her arm. "A bride's gown shouldn't be worn by outsiders."

"Outsiders?" Adrian cut in sharply. "If we're family, can't you do this small favor?"

"Does family mean unconditional compliance?"

"She called you 'sister.' Is this how you respond?"

Stella clenched her fists. "Mr. Roland still enjoys forcing people into corners, I see."

"I haven't changed." He stepped closer. "You know that best."

"Excuse me." Stella handed the keys to Penny. "Take your time shopping."

"Wait." Adrian blocked her path. "Didn't you leave the country with that man? Why are you back?"

"Personal matters."

"I want to see the children." His voice tightened. "Three years. I have visitation rights."

"Another day."

"When?" His gaze turned piercing. "In such a hurry to avoid me?"

Stella took a deep breath. "Tomorrow. I need to go to the hospital now."

Adrian's expression darkened. "Are you sick?"

"Not me."

"Ethan? Or Luna?"

"No."

His eyes turned icy. "His child with you?"

Stella looked away. "Think what you want."

"Give me back my children." His voice grew hoarse. "Since you've started a new family—"

"And then what?" Stella laughed bitterly. "Let your fiancée play stepmother?"

"They can live with Grandfather."

"Mr. Alistair treated Ethan and Luna as his own." Her voice trembled. "He stayed up all night when they cried, took them to school. Where were you?"

Adrian fell silent.

"I won't argue in front of your fiancée." Stella gripped her bag strap. "Three years ago, you said you'd found true love. I wished you happiness. But now? Forcing your ex-wife to model wedding dresses?"

"I just—"

"The children stay with me." Her tone was final.

Adrian's gaze darkened. "No man is that devoted to another's children. I don't believe it."

"Suit yourself."

"Now that he has his own blood, do you really think—"

"He's dead." Stella's words cut through the air.

Adrian froze.

"I won't remarry." She lifted her pale face. "Satisfied?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "...How?"

Stella didn't answer.

Houston felt like a curse. Every time she returned with hope, despair awaited.

"That child..." Adrian's voice turned rough. "Is the illness serious?"

"Congenital liver disease. Needs a transplant."

"Found a match?"

"There was one." Her smile was bitter. "They backed out today."

Adrian frowned. "Hereditary? His father—"

"Unknown."

"You didn't even know that?" He sneered. "Some 'true love.'"

Stella's head snapped up.

"Adrian Roland." She enunciated each word. "Your obsession with Mr. Alistair makes me wonder—"

"Are you jealous of a dead man?"