Chapter 427

The dream street felt achingly familiar.

Adrian Roland pedaled that vintage bicycle, its chain clicking in the well-known rhythm. He pumped the pedals desperately, yet the destination he yearned for remained just out of reach.

A featherlight touch brushed his forehead.

His hand shot up instinctively, fingers closing around empty air—yet it felt like he'd grasped something priceless.

"Little Star, you're finally here." His voice came out rough with emotion.

In his memories, that perpetually late girl would always come bounding up to hop onto the rear seat, forcing him to pedal furiously to make their morning classes.

Stella Valentine froze mid-motion at his call.

"Yes, I'm here," she whispered back.

The corners of Adrian's lips lifted slightly as his breathing evened out. Clearly, his dream had given him the answer he sought.

Under the dim glow of the bedside lamp, Stella took in the dark circles beneath his eyes. His once healthy tan had faded to a concerning pallor, making his exhaustion even more pronounced.

She thought of the study light that had burned through countless nights.

So he hadn't been avoiding her.

Those mountains of documents, those endless midnight meetings—they were all to protect the Roland legacy. To protect her.

Stella rose carefully.

The study was strewn with open files. On top lay the jewelry design department's quarterly proposal, densely annotated in red.

Her phone screen lit up abruptly.

Vincent Astor's message blinked: Need design approval ASAP. Client demands morning meeting.

Glancing toward the bedroom, Stella powered on the computer.

Her heart clenched at the sight—the desktop still showed that starry sky wallpaper, the password unchanged from their anniversary date.

In the design software, a half-finished sketch waited patiently. It was a commemorative emblem for an international competition, requiring seasonal elements within strict budget constraints.

She texted Vincent back.

The callback came instantly.

"Mr. Roland, the client insists on seeing you personally—"

"He can't make it." Stella cut in. "Send me the draft sketches and sample photos."

After hanging up, she rummaged through drawers for reference materials. Her fingers brushed against familiar leather—that diary she thought was lost forever.

Stella drew a steadying breath before picking up the files.

At 3 AM, she added the final stroke. A delicate vine curling around the earring transformed the entire design.

Adrian's breathing remained undisturbed when she returned.

"Goodnight," she murmured before surrendering to sleep.

The alarm's vibration startled her awake.

Fumbling to silence it, Stella turned—

The sheets lay perfectly smooth beside her. Already cold.