Chapter 435

The air froze for several seconds.

How long had it been since they last talked about the past so calmly?

This moment felt too precious to ruin.

Adrian broke the silence first. "I never blamed you for what happened to Grandfather. Going to prison was my own choice."

Stella's smile faded slightly. "I know you compensated for everything Vincent stole—and more. You didn't have to go in."

"Yeah."

"Then why..." She bit her lip. "Was it because of me?"

"Partly."

"To atone?"

"Not entirely." His gaze dropped. "No matter what I do, I can't undo the harm I caused you. You almost died, and I..."

Her heart clenched.

"I was useless." He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Seeing you with Vincent, I just..."

"Adrian..."

When he looked up, his eyes held a quiet light. "Pathetic, right? And... not all those things were stolen by Vincent."

"What?"

"The wedding dress." His voice softened. "That night, when my memories returned, I rushed to find you. I passed a bridal shop and saw a gown that looked like it was woven from stars..."

Stella's pupils contracted.

"The store was closed, but I couldn't wait..." His voice trailed off. "So I smashed the display window."

Her breath caught.

He'd regained all his memories?

"When?"

"The night Vincent took you."

A chill ran through her. "You were at the hotel?"

"I had the dress..." His smile turned bitter. "Then I saw you with Vincent—"

"Nothing happened!" she cut in urgently. "He's a madman!"

"I know..."

"You really remember everything?"

"Yeah."

"How?"

He avoided her eyes. "It just... came back."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Stella studied him. "What about your leg?"

"Motorcycle accident."

"Liar." Her eyes reddened. "Mr. Alistair did the same thing. First said he hurt his arm on a rock, then admitted it was from the crash."

Adrian suddenly met her gaze. "I only lied to you about one thing."

"..."

"When I said I stopped loving you."

......

"Is that a confession?" Joy poked at her lemon slice. "What do you think?"

Stella stirred her coffee silently.

Adrian was home today, attending a video conference—and adamant she shouldn't stay up late.

"Honestly," Joy sighed, "after how he treated you for Lily, he deserves to rot. But knowing he's Mr. Alistair makes it..."

"Let it unfold naturally."

"Oh!" Joy suddenly slammed the table. "Lily got her sentence reduced!"

"What?"

"Vincent withdrew the lawsuit in Adrian's name!" Joy gritted her teeth. "He did it on purpose!"

Stella tightened her grip on the cup. "What about Victor?"

"Ha. Vincent won't let him off easy." Joy smirked. "The wicked meet their match."

Just as Stella relaxed slightly, her phone rang.

"Ms. Valentine!" The receptionist sounded panicked. "A woman with a baby is here causing a scene—accusing you of being the other woman! The press is everywhere!"