Chapter 365

The final day of the three-day deadline arrived. Adrian Roland's mansion felt unusually empty.

Stella Valentine stood in the center of the bedroom, her fingers absently tracing the handle of her suitcase. Though it was just a temporary separation, an inexplicable sense of finality lingered in the air.

"Mrs. Roland, are you really leaving?" Penny Anderson peeked out from the walk-in closet, clutching her sketchpad. "The boss has been treating you well lately."

Stella pressed her lips together and folded a cashmere sweater into the suitcase.

"Rich people are so dramatic," Penny huffed. "Unlike my deadbeat ex who vanished for two years—probably married some tribal chief's daughter in Africa..."

"Penny," Stella interrupted softly. "If... if you knew there was no hope left, would you still wait?"

Penny froze.

She set down her sketchpad and plopped onto the suitcase. "Mrs. Roland, during those four years abroad... did you ever think of giving up?"

Stella's fingers curled slightly.

The first year, she'd fought to protect the life inside her while confined to a hospital bed. When the doctor announced the miscarriage, her world shattered.

The second year, she wandered like a ghost. If not for Ethan and Luna needing their mother, she might have—

The third year, Celeste's first "Mama" had given her the strength to breathe again.

The fourth year, she'd counted every day until she could return to Mount Rainier for their promised reunion.

"Never," she whispered. "Not for a single day."

Penny grinned. "Then neither will I. Even if he really did marry that chief's daughter, I won't believe it until I see it."

The phone rang abruptly.

Adrian Roland's name flashed on the screen, making Stella's heart stutter.

"Packed?" His voice was detached, almost unfamiliar.

"Penny's helping."

"Jason will pick you up in thirty minutes."

"And you?"

"Meeting."

The curt exchange felt like a business transaction. Stella tightened her grip on the phone. "Your injuries—"

"Don't trouble yourself." A pause. "The act is over. Time we both moved on."

Her throat constricted. "Alright."

Paper rustled on his end, hesitation palpable. "...Remember to carry candy."

"You think he'll change his mind?"

"I said all men change." His voice roughened. "Including me."

The call ended abruptly.

In the CEO's office at New Frontier Group, Adrian stared at the darkened screen, knuckles whitening.

"Sir, your hand is shaking," Vincent Astor murmured.

"The AC is too strong."

"It's 82°F outside."

Adrian shut his eyes. "Vincent."

"Yes?"

"This performance is exhausting." He loosened his tie with a bitter smile. "Don't expose me."