Chapter 322

Celeste's words exploded in the hospital room like a bomb.

Adrian whipped his head toward Stella. Her lashes trembled, lips quivering as if she wanted to speak but swallowed the words.

"Stella, you..."

"What?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, voice tight. "You told our daughter... I'm her father?"

Stella clenched the hem of her shirt. "It's not what you think..."

His eyes ignited like stars.

Was it to make Celeste feel less different?

Or to prevent Ethan and Luna from rejecting their sister?

He chuckled softly. "Whatever the reason, I accept it."

Stella's throat constricted. The truth was too complicated—she couldn't disrupt Mr. Alistair's life. If Adrian learned he had a twin brother, he'd tear the world apart searching.

Mr. Alistair chose to leave, returning to the shadows. All these years, he could've reunited with his family but never did.

He said he was lonely.

That he only wanted her.

But now...

Stella smiled bitterly. He didn't even want her anymore.

She'd keep this secret.

"It was just for the children..."

"I understand." Overjoyed, Adrian ignored his neck injury and reached for Celeste. "I'm your daddy."

Celeste froze, tugging Stella's sleeve uncertainly. "Mommy, is his name really Adrian Roland?"

"...Yes."

Adrian softened his voice. "Ask your siblings if you don't believe me. Or look up my photos online."

Celeste bit her lip. "But..."

"What else?"

He searched his name on his phone. A finance magazine cover appeared instantly.

He handed it to her. "See?"

Celeste scrutinized it, then shook her head. "No... I know how to write Daddy's name. It's not this."

Adrian raised a brow. "Show me."

He opened the handwriting input.

Her chubby finger traced the characters: "A-d-r-i-a-n R-o-l-a-n-d. The last character is different."

Adrian explained, "Did Mommy teach you this?"

"Mm-hmm."

"'Roland' is too hard for you, so she taught you an easier version. But it's pronounced the same."

Celeste looked at Stella hopefully. "Mommy, is it true? Is he really my daddy?"

Her daughter's innocent gaze pierced Stella's heart.

Adrian stroked Celeste's hair. "When you're older, Mommy will teach you the correct spelling. Try searching 'Adrian Roland'?"

Celeste took a deep breath and typed it in.

No results.

Only the prompt: [Did you mean "Adrian Roland"?]

"See? That person doesn't exist."

Tears welled in Celeste's eyes as she clutched her shirt. "Why did Mommy lie to me..."

Stella knelt to embrace her. "Mommy was wrong."

"Mommy..." Celeste suddenly wailed, "I have a daddy now! I finally have a daddy!"

Her cries shattered the room. Adrian pulled them both into his arms.

"Daddy."

"Yes?"

"Can you and Mommy make up?"

"Of course." His voice cracked. "Our family will stay together forever."

Celeste sobbed uncontrollably. Adrian lifted her while Stella wiped tears. "Sweetheart, Daddy's hurt. Let Mommy hold you."

"It's fine." He patted Celeste's back. "Let me hold her longer."

"...Thank you."

Adrian glanced at her. "For what?"

Stella pressed her lips together. "You know."

He did.

"I should thank you—for telling Celeste her father is Adrian Roland."

"..."

"The wrong character doesn't matter. It is difficult to write."

"What about Grandpa?"

Adrian shrugged. "We'll say Celeste is ours. He'll be thrilled."

"We already lied to him once..."

"White lies don't count."