Chapter 357

"What did you say?" Stella Valentine's eyes widened slightly.

Adrian Roland tapped his long fingers against the steering wheel. "I remember someone saying a man's passenger seat is reserved only for his wife."

Stella fell silent.

"The amusement park gets crowded on weekends. Any later and we'll be stuck in long lines." His tone was calm but firm.

She bit her lip and finally slid into the passenger seat.

He leaned over to fasten her seatbelt, his crisp scent enveloping her. The motion was so quick that by the time she registered it, he had already returned to the driver's seat.

"Are you wearing cologne?" Stella couldn't help asking.

"No." Adrian started the car. "I've been at the hospital since last night. Hardly the time for that."

Stella sniffed her sleeve, catching only the faint scent of laundry detergent.

"Perhaps it's Mr. Alistair's scent." His voice was measured. "You met yesterday..."

"What?"

"After such a long separation, you must have been... close." His grip tightened on the wheel as he stared straight ahead. "Hugging. Holding hands. Or—"

"Nothing happened." Stella cut him off. "We didn't do anything."

His fingers flexed against the leather. "Is that so?"

"Disappointed?" She turned to study his profile. "Or were you hoping something did happen between us?"

He avoided her gaze. "It's not my place to interfere."

"Adrian." Stella drew a steadying breath. "One last time—are you sure you're not Mr. Alistair?"

The car plunged into suffocating silence.

"You want the truth?" His voice dropped low. "Even if it destroys you?"

She nodded.

"Then promise me you'll stay by my side forever."

Stella said nothing.

"See? That's your answer." A humorless smile touched his lips. "Mr. Alistair returned with the dog you raised together. Isn't that proof enough?"

"But I feel—"

"Today is for the children." He cut her off gently. "Let's make it happy, alright?"

Excited chatter bubbled from the backseat.

"Remember this—Mr. Alistair is Mr. Alistair." His final words hung in the air. "I am me. That's the reality."

The amusement park entrance swarmed with visitors.

Adrian parked and turned to them. "Wait here. I'll get the tickets."

"Don't worry, Dad!" Ethan puffed out his chest. "I'll protect Mom and my sisters."

Adrian ruffled his son's hair before striding toward the ticket booth.

The children whooped with joy when they received their passes, dashing into the park. Stella moved to follow, but Adrian caught her wrist.

"Let them play." His voice was quiet. "Penny will keep an eye on them."

"Penny? Your secretary?" Stella arched a brow.

He emphasized deliberately: "Yes. My female secretary."

She huffed. "She has a boyfriend. She's only working for you to save money for her trip to the border."

"I know." His expression remained neutral. "That's why I'm docking half her salary."

"What? You're trying to break them up?"

Adrian shook his head. "Her boyfriend is gone."

"What?"

"Killed on duty two years ago." His voice softened. "At border stations, it's tradition for comrades to keep sending letters to fallen soldiers' families."

Stella covered her mouth.

"The man who took over writing to her... also died." He continued quietly. "His phone was lost. The letters stopped."

Her eyes glistened.

"Cutting her pay is to delay her." He sighed. "With time... maybe she'll heal."

Stella stood speechless.

"Little Star." Adrian gazed at the distant Ferris wheel. "Every day, people lose loved ones. Go to him in three days."

She looked up sharply.

"These three days—let them be our farewell." Sunlight etched the sharp lines of his profile.