Chapter 24

Stella Valentine's fingers trembled.

She stared at her phone screen, Adrian Roland's number glaring back at her. But she knew—she'd been blocked long ago.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Her hoarse voice cracked as she reached toward the nurse.

The moment the call connected, Stella's heart threatened to burst from her chest.

"Adrian Roland! Give me back my daughter!"

"Miss Valentine?"

That voice made Stella's spine stiffen instantly. Lily Savigny.

"Put Adrian on the phone." She gritted her teeth.

"He's showering." Lily's tone dripped with victorious smugness. "Your daughter is adorable. Adrian says I'll be raising her from now on."

Stella's nails dug into her palms. "Don't you dare touch my child!"

"Oh dear, the little one's crying." A baby's wail pierced through the receiver. "Imagine if such a pretty face got... scarred."

"Lily Savigny!"

"Sign the divorce papers within three days, or else..." Lily's light chuckle sent chills down Stella's spine. "You understand."

Stella forced down her rage. "My mother is still hospitalized—"

"That old hag?" Lily cut her off. "The sooner she dies, the better."

The line went dead.

Stella stood frozen in the hospital corridor, icy dread seeping into her bones. Her mother was critically ill. Her daughter had been stolen. She couldn't even afford the medical bills.

Her borrowed phone vibrated suddenly.

[Want to save your mother? Houston Grand Hotel. Room 1231. 9 PM.]

Her finger hovered over the keyboard as she stared at the unknown number.

[Who is this?]

[Someone who can help.]

......

Adrian stepped out of the shower, towel-drying his hair while cradling the freshly bathed infant.

The baby blinked up at him with wide eyes before breaking into a gummy smile.

His heart melted instantly. This was his daughter. His and Stella's child.

"Luna," he murmured, tracing the name Stella had chosen. Sun, moon, and stars—their youthful promise etched into this tiny life.

Lily sidled closer. "What a beautiful name."

Adrian's expression hardened. "Just something that came to mind."

"I'll care for her like my own." Lily reached toward the baby's face.

Adrian pivoted away. "Martha will handle it."

"You don't trust me?" Lily's face darkened.

"Your ankle injury hasn't healed." He settled the baby into the crib. "Who called earlier?"

"Wrong number." Lily turned away.

Adrian's tone shifted abruptly. "You're Victor Lefèvre's stepdaughter?"

Lily went rigid.

"My mother... she didn't know when she married him—"

"Victor Lefèvre destroyed my parents' legacy." Adrian's gaze turned glacial. "And you kept this from me."

"We share no blood!" Lily clutched his arm. "Adrian, you have to believe—"

A sudden wail erupted from the crib. Adrian immediately scooped up the distressed infant.

In the shadowed corner, Lily's eyes burned with venom as she watched them.