Chapter 417

The examination room smelled strongly of antiseptic.

Stella Valentine sat on a bench in the corner, her fingers tightly gripping the strap of her purse. Ethan and Celeste leaned against her on either side while Luna perched on her lap.

"Mommy, what did the doctor say about Daddy?" Luna tilted her little face upward, blinking her large eyes.

Stella's hands trembled slightly. She forced a smile. "The doctor said... Daddy's leg needs lots of rest."

"Then why were you whispering?" Ethan's sharp ears caught the lie. "I heard the doctor say Daddy's leg needs to be reset."

Celeste immediately jumped up from the bench. "What? Daddy's leg is broken?"

Stella quickly covered her youngest daughter's mouth. "Shh—"

Adrian Roland sat pale as paper in his wheelchair. He gave the children a weak smile. "It's nothing serious. Just like when Lego pieces don't fit right—you take them apart and rebuild."

"That's a lie!" Ethan's eyes reddened suddenly. "Legos don't hurt!"

Silence fell over the examination room.

Stella felt her throat tighten. She knelt to meet the children's eyes. "Daddy got hurt protecting us. Now the doctor needs to help him. Can you all be good?"

Luna burst into tears. "I don't want Daddy to hurt!"

Adrian wheeled himself closer. He wiped Luna's tears away. "Daddy promises to take you all to Disneyland when my leg gets better, okay?"

"Really?" Celeste sniffled.

"Of course." Adrian ruffled her hair. "When has Daddy ever lied to you?"

Stella turned her face away, afraid the children would see her reddening eyes.

The doctor entered with a clipboard. "Family member needs to sign some forms."

Stella stood up gratefully. "I'll be right back."

She practically fled the room.

The cool hallway air helped calm her. Her hands still shook as she signed the forms.

"The reduction will be painful." The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Your husband insists on no anesthesia."

Stella looked up sharply. "Why?"

"Says he doesn't want the children to see him weak." The doctor sighed. "Stubborn man."

Stella's heart clenched. She took a deep breath. "What can I do?"

"Just wait outside." The doctor turned to leave. "Oh, and the children shouldn't be present."

Back at the examination room door, Stella heard Adrian's voice inside. "Ethan, take your sisters to wait for Mommy outside."

"Daddy..."

"Be good."

The door opened. Three red-eyed children emerged. Stella knelt down. "How about the nurse takes you for ice cream?"

Once they were gone, she reentered.

Adrian now lay on the treatment table, his shirt soaked through with sweat.

"Begin," he told the doctor.

Stella stood in the corner, nails digging into her palms.

The first crack of bone realignment made Adrian's back arch violently. His fingers turned white as they gripped the sheets.

Stella covered her mouth.

"Bear with it." The doctor's forehead beaded with sweat. "Almost done."

A strangled groan escaped Adrian's throat. Veins stood out on his temples, his entire body drenched as if pulled from water.

When Stella saw the doctor push the displaced bone back into place, her tears finally overflowed.

"Done." The doctor exhaled in relief. "Now for the cast."

Adrian managed a weak smile. "Thank you."

Only then did Stella realize her cheeks were wet. She hastily wiped her face, but heard Adrian say, "Don't cry... It didn't hurt."

That shattered her completely.

She remembered the boy who'd once shielded her from everything, now this man who'd rather bite through his teeth than show weakness before his children.

After the doctor left, only the two of them remained.

Stella approached the bed and gently took Adrian's hand. His palm was clammy.

"Was it worth it?" she whispered.

Adrian looked at her, his gaze tender yet resolute. "For you all, anything is worth it."