Chapter 418

Stella Valentine stood outside the examination room, her fingernails unconsciously digging into her palms. Only when the nurse's voice reached her ears did she snap back to reality.

"Mrs. Roland?" The nurse looked at her with concern.

Stella took two hurried steps back, afraid of disturbing the person inside. She forced a smile. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

The nurse lowered her voice sympathetically. "The reduction process is painful. Family members can accompany the patient."

The word "family" froze Stella's smile.

Noticing her reaction, the nurse said gently, "I can see how worried you are about Mr. Roland."

Stella lowered her lashes. Of course she wanted to go in, but she knew Adrian Roland too well.

That man, proud to his core, would rather die than let her see him in such a vulnerable state.

People moved through the corridor, each patient accompanied by someone. Stella suddenly remembered a post she'd read in college—the highest level of loneliness was undergoing surgery alone.

Back then, she'd lain on the campus lawn, her head resting on Adrian's lap, and asked, "If I ever skip class to drag you to a concert, would you come?"

The boy had looked down at her, sunlight dancing on his eyelashes. "I'd follow you to the ends of the earth."

Who could have guessed that casual joke would now feel like cruel irony?

"He has strong pride," Stella explained to the nurse. "Please don’t tell him I’m here."

The nurse nodded in understanding. "Don’t worry."

"By the way, have you seen the children?"

"They're at the nurses' station," the nurse said with a smile. "Your eldest is so responsible—he’s taking great care of his sisters."

Stella managed another faint smile. Happiness? This family had already shattered long ago.

Once the nurse left, Stella returned to her spot by the door. She heard the doctor’s deliberately light chatter, the rustle of bandages being wrapped, until finally, the doctor exhaled in relief. "Done."

She didn’t enter immediately.

Only when she estimated Adrian had composed himself did she deliberately step heavily and knock.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, Stella waved the medicine bag in her hand. "The line was so long."

The doctor gave her a knowing look but didn’t expose her.

Adrian’s face was pale, his forehead damp with sweat, yet his expression remained detached. "The kids are at the nurses' station."

"I know." Stella pretended this was news to her, her gaze flickering over his white-knuckled grip on the sheets.

The doctor warned, "One more dislocation, and this leg will be beyond repair."

Stella’s chest tightened. "I’ll make sure he’s careful."

"And the wound must stay dry..."

She noted each instruction carefully, unaware of the man on the bed watching her with eyes as turbulent as a stormy sea.