Chapter 403

Adrian Roland tapped his fingers lightly on the wheelchair armrest under the hopeful gazes of his three children.

"The new nanny will paint with you," he softened his voice. "She'll also make your favorite strawberry cake."

Celeste suddenly threw her teddy bear on the floor, her eyes instantly reddening. "I don't want cake! I want Mommy!"

Ethan immediately picked up the teddy and tucked it back into his sister's arms before turning to his father. "Dad, when is Mommy coming home?"

Adrian's Adam's apple bobbed.

He remembered the phone call Julian Valois had relayed three days ago. Stella Valentine had asked to see the children—without mentioning him once.

Luna timidly tugged his sleeve. "Daddy...did we do something wrong? Is that why Mommy won't come back?"

The words stabbed through Adrian's heart. He lifted his youngest daughter onto his lap but couldn't find an answer.

Benjamin Langley entered the nursery with warm milk and sighed at the scene. "Young master, children need their mother."

"What they need is a home that won't abandon them again," Adrian said coldly.

Ethan suddenly stepped in front of his sisters. "Dad, if you and Mommy had a fight, I can talk to her."

Seeing his son's stubborn expression, Adrian glimpsed his younger self. He reached out to ruffle Ethan's hair, but the boy dodged.

"Young master," Benjamin lowered his voice, "Stella genuinely wants to return this time."

The electric wheelchair hummed softly as Adrian turned toward the door. "Benjamin, take them to wash up."

The hallway sconces stretched his shadow long across the wall. As the study door closed, Celeste's muffled sobs followed him: "I want Mommy..."

The computer screen illuminated a family photo on the desktop—Stella holding Luna and Celeste, her smile radiant.

His phone vibrated. An unknown number:

[Tomorrow, 3 PM. Our usual place.]

Adrian's grip tightened. That café was where they'd had their first date.

Benjamin entered quietly, finding him staring at the phone. "Young master?"

"Tell the children," Adrian powered off the phone, "I'm taking them to the amusement park tomorrow."

"What about the new nanny—"

"Postpone it." His gaze drifted to the dark window. "Let's wait a little longer."

Benjamin hesitated but finally nodded. At the door, he heard Adrian murmur:

"One last time."

In the nursery, Ethan was reading to his sisters when Luna suddenly looked up. "Will Mommy come tomorrow?"

Closing the book, Ethan ruffled her hair like their father would. "If we keep waiting, Mommy will come back."

Outside, a shooting star streaked across the night sky.