Chapter 420

Stella Valentine glanced at her wristwatch. The hour hand pointed to four in the afternoon. Not wanting to delay the doctor's work, she quickly gathered her three children and bid Adrian Roland farewell.

The driver had already been notified. A black sedan waited silently at the hospital entrance.

Without Benjamin Langley's assistance, the return trip felt chaotic. Fortunately, Ethan Valentine helped look after his younger sisters, and the driver worked efficiently to secure the little ones in their child safety seats. Stella wiped the sweat from her temple before turning to steady Adrian.

"No need." His voice was cold as he refused, his bangs damp with sweat, clinging to his pale skin.

Stella studied his tense jawline and sighed softly. "Then take it slow."

Adrian stumbled the moment he took a step, nearly falling backward. Stella caught him swiftly, her palm meeting the icy chill of his back.

"Sir!" The driver rushed over in alarm.

The three children pressed against the car window. Little Luna covered her eyes in fright.

"How's your leg?" Stella's voice trembled. "Should we go back for a check-up? The doctor said another dislocation would be serious—"

"I'm fine." He gritted his teeth, cutting her off, the tips of his ears flushing red.

Stella bit back a smile. Even after all these years, this man's pride hadn't changed.

Silently, she offered her arm. After a brief hesitation, Adrian finally rested his hand on her shoulder. His touch was scorching, yet carefully avoiding direct contact.

"Careful!"

The car jolted, and Stella instinctively reached to steady him, her fingers brushing over the back of his hand. Both froze. Adrian recoiled as if burned, nearly tumbling back into the car.

Without another thought, Stella pushed him into the seat with all her strength. She folded the wheelchair with practiced ease, leaving the driver wide-eyed.

Adrian watched her slender figure, his Adam's apple bobbing. The girl who once struggled with bottle caps could now lift a folding wheelchair single-handedly. The memory of her raising their children alone overseas for four years weighed on his chest like a stone.

In the end, he owed her.

"What are you looking at?" Stella turned, meeting his conflicted gaze.

Adrian jerked his face away, pressing himself against the opposite door, leaving only his rigid back facing her.

The car fell so silent that the sound of Luna playing with her fingers was audible. Only when they arrived home and saw Benjamin did the quiet finally break.

"The doctor said the recovery is going well," Adrian said dismissively.

Stella nodded in agreement. "Just needs proper rest."

Benjamin exhaled in relief, calling the housekeeper to take the children for their baths. The living room emptied in moments, leaving only the two of them. Stella noticed his dress shirt soaked through, clinging to his spine.

"You're sweating," she murmured.

"I'll shower." He braced against the armrests to stand.

"No!" Stella blocked his path. "The wound can't get wet."

Adrian lifted his gaze. "What's our relationship? Since when do you get to decide?"

The words stabbed through Stella's heart. She drew a slow breath. "Let's just say we're roommates. Okay?"

He scoffed and limped toward the bathroom without looking back, leaning on his cane. Stella chased after him—only to hear a heavy thud from inside.