Chapter 44

Joy Fairsprene barely had time to react before Stella Valentine dragged her back into the jewelry store.

"I'll take this pair." Stella pointed at the couple rings in the display case, her voice crisp.

The sales associate hesitated. "But Mr. Roland is currently—"

"Charge it." Stella slid her credit card across the counter.

The POS machine chirped as it printed the receipt. A faint smile touched Stella's lips. How long had it been since she last spent money without restraint?

Lily Savigny abruptly stood up. "Surely Miss Valentine isn't using a bad check?"

"How did you know my accounts were frozen?" Stella's gaze turned razor-sharp.

Lily paled. "I—"

"Did my uncle tell you?" Stella advanced step by step.

"Yes!" Lily lifted her chin. "Dad told me."

"Your dad?"

"My mother married him. Is it wrong to call him Dad?"

Stella's laugh was icy. "Then will you repay his debts for him?"

Lily blurted out, "My father would never—"

Crack!

The slap echoed through the boutique.

"That was for my son." Stella's voice could freeze hell.

Crack!

Another stinging blow landed.

"And that was for my mother."

The salesgirl rushed forward. "This is Mrs. Roland—"

Joy snorted. "Future Mrs. Roland? Isn't it too early to suck up?"

Adrian Roland shielded Lily behind him. "Stella! Have you lost your mind?"

"You're the insane one!" Stella's eyes burned red. "Your son almost died, and you're here buying rings for his would-be murderer!"

"I'll investigate—"

"Investigate?" Stella's bitter laugh shattered. "Adrian, you're blind!"

She wiped her tears. "Let's get divorced."

Adrian's expression darkened. "I don't have time."

"No time?" Joy mocked. "Time for ring shopping but not divorce papers?"

Lily suddenly clutched Adrian's arm. "You're having second thoughts, aren't you?"

"Lily—"

"All of Houston knows we're getting married!" Lily shrieked. "If you back out now, how can I show my face?"

Joy interjected, "Miss Savigny, have we met before? At a hospital perhaps?"

Lily went sheet-white. "What nonsense—"

"Seven years ago. Obstetrics ward." Joy enunciated each word. "The girl who'd had so many abortions she could never conceive again—that was you, wasn't it?"

"You're lying!"

"Shall we check the medical records?" Joy's smile was lethal. "The doctors used you as a cautionary tale when counseling me."

Silence swallowed the boutique.

Adrian's gaze turned unrecognizable.