Chapter 3

The tragedy five years ago struck too suddenly, leaving Stella Valentine no time to react.

On the eve of their wedding, Adrian Roland's parents died in a horrific highway accident. The surveillance footage clearly showed her father behind the wheel.

Within three days, her mother Grace Laurent and uncle Victor Lefèvre seized control of the Roland family's entire fortune. Two century-old dynasties merged in the cruelest way possible—with her uncle emerging as the ultimate victor.

The timing was too perfect, too orchestrated to be mere coincidence.

She would never forget that day. Adrian shattered every star-filled jar they had folded together. Glass shards cut his hands, staining the colorful paper stars with blood.

"Get out, Stella!" His voice was raw, his eyes bloodshot. "I never want to see you again."

She was only twenty, already carrying his child. Too terrified to tell him, she fled abroad to give birth alone.

Fate mocked her again. The baby was rushed to intensive care after birth, forcing her to return and seek Adrian's help—only to find Lily Savigny nestled in his arms.

They said Lily stayed by his side through his darkest days.

They said Lily became his only light.

They said Lily helped him rebuild his empire from scratch in just two years.

The cruelest irony? She remained his legal wife. For four years, he'd tried every method to force her to sign the divorce papers.

She kept believing time would prove her innocence—that he'd come back once his anger faded. Until the doctor handed her the lung cancer diagnosis.

A coughing fit tore through her. Blood trickled from her lips, blooming like crimson plum blossoms on the white sheets.

"What's wrong with you?" Adrian frowned.

She gathered her courage. "Adrian, I'm sick—"

"Dying?" His laugh was icy. "I'll set off fireworks to celebrate. Your death clears the way for Lily."

Words died in her throat. She pressed a hand over the bloodstain, but he yanked the sheets away.

"Blood?" His smirk was cruel. "Did you even get surgery to fake virginity for tonight?"

Agony consumed her. Curled into herself, she couldn't speak. All those paper stars they'd folded had turned to glass shards—piercing straight through her heart.