Chapter 231

"......Daddy?"

Ethan's footsteps halted abruptly, his small hands clutching the hem of his shirt.

He tilted his face up, eyes wide and round, as if afraid he might be mistaken. He took two tentative steps forward.

Suddenly, fat tears rolled down his cheeks. "Daddy! Why did you take so long to come back?"

The little boy launched himself into Adrian's arms like a tiny cannonball, wrapping his limbs around him as sobs wracked his small frame.

Seeing her brother, Luna tried to mimic him, but she had only just learned to walk. The cemetery steps made her wobble unsteadily. When the little girl missed a step, Stella's heart leaped to her throat.

Adrian reacted instantly. His right hand caught Luna securely while his left arm still held Ethan.

Luna's face paled from the sudden weightlessness, her lips trembling on the verge of tears. She studied the unfamiliar man with curious eyes, her small fingers unconsciously twisting the fabric of her dress.

Adrian's heart melted completely.

Three years had changed Ethan—he'd grown taller, his features unmistakably resembling his own. And Luna—

Her frilly pink dress, the tiny bow in her hair, the plump cheeks still rounded with baby fat.

He slowly knelt, setting Ethan down before lowering himself until he was eye-level with Luna.

"Luna," he murmured softly.

The little girl blinked her large eyes and gave a timid wave.

"Do you know who I am?"

Luna tilted her head, glancing between her brother and him, her lips pressed tightly together.

Adrian opened his arms, his voice impossibly gentle. "I'm Daddy."

She turned to Ethan for confirmation. After receiving an eager nod, she whispered, "...Daddy."

"Yeah." His throat tightened, eyes burning. "Can Daddy hold you?"

Luna took small, hesitant steps into his embrace. Adrian cradled her with utmost care, as if she might break. The sweet milky scent clinging to her made his eyes sting.

This was the scene Stella arrived to witness.

The tall man knelt reverently on the ground, holding their daughter like fragile treasure. Ethan clung to his back, face flushed from crying.

"Daddy..." Ethan sniffled. "Did you beat all the bad guys?"

Adrian looked up in confusion, meeting Stella's complicated gaze.

"Ethan," she said gently, "let Daddy rest for a while."

"I'm not tired." Adrian adjusted his grip on their son before asking her, "Here to visit your father?"

Stella nodded. "And Uncle Shi. You? Paying respects to your parents?"

Only then did she remember—today marked the anniversary of all three elders' passing.

"Don't bother going," Adrian said suddenly.

Stella arched a brow. "Still not worthy to offer them incense?"

"...I know the truth about the car accident now." His voice was hoarse. "Stella, I owe you an apology—"

"Don't." She turned her face away. "I've survived just fine without you."

"Really... survived well?"

"Every obstacle overcome." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "I made it through the hardest days."

A raindrop landed on Luna's forehead.

"Mommy!" the little girl gasped. "It's raining!"

Stella glanced at the sky. "It's December—why is it raining now?"

But Luna was delighted, pounding her father's arm with tiny fists. "Daddy, look!"

Adrian grunted, his muscles tensing instantly.

"What's wrong?" Stella frowned.

"Nothing." He was already scooping Luna up with one arm and taking Ethan's hand with the other. "Let's get to the car."

Without waiting for her response, he strode toward the cemetery exit. Stella had to jog to keep up.

The rain intensified. By the time they reached the car, their clothes were damp.

Adrian turned on the heater and handed her his suit jacket. "Put this on."

"Give it to the children."

"Your lungs are weak." His eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. "Take care of yourself first."

Ethan obediently draped the jacket over Stella's shoulders. "Mommy, hurry! Did you forget about the cold because you missed Daddy?"

Her ears burned. "Don't talk nonsense."

"I heard you crying at night."

Cornered by her son's revelation, Stella floundered for a response.

"We're staying home tonight," Adrian announced abruptly.

"Really?" Ethan cheered, bouncing in his seat as he listed all the old friends he wanted to see.

The children's excitement eased the tension in the car. Soon, lulled by the warm air, both dozed off nestled against Stella.

Only the sound of steady breathing and the heater's hum filled the vehicle.

"You're injured?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"...Old wound." His smile was strained. Luna might look delicate, but carrying her strained his arms. His left arm, already painful in rainy weather, throbbed mercilessly. Cold sweat dampened his temples.

In the rearview mirror, Stella's profile appeared almost unchanged from three years ago—only softened by motherhood.

"You told the kids... I went to fight bad guys?"

Stella stiffened. "No."

"Ethan said so." A faint smile touched his lips. "You said Daddy was amazing. That... you missed me."

"What I told our son," she cut in sharply, "was about Mr. Alistair. Not you."