Chapter 456

Luna bounced her pigtails, her voice sweet and proud. "Grandma Grace, look! Daddy tied these ribbons for me!"

Grace Laurent suppressed a chuckle at her granddaughter's lopsided hairstyle. "Since when did Adrian learn to do this?"

"He practiced for days!" Luna lifted her chin triumphantly.

Stella Valentine kept her eyes on her porridge, pretending not to hear.

Grace watched her daughter's evasive expression and sighed inwardly. After all these years of separation, the couple still seemed to dance around each other.

Since moving out, Adrian called daily, his words cautious and measured. His assistants, Penny and Vincent, practically wore their loyalty on their sleeves.

"Grandma, let me brush my sister's hair," Ethan suddenly offered.

Grace smiled. "Boys don't usually do that."

"Daddy's a boy," Ethan reasoned. "I can learn."

Warmth flooded Stella's chest at her son's determination. She clenched her fists silently. She could take care of this family—with or without Adrian.

After breakfast, she reached for the dishes, but Grace had already slipped on rubber gloves. "I'll handle these."

"Mom, since when did you become so domestic?" Stella blinked in surprise.

Water cascaded over the plates as Grace turned on the faucet. "Independence is necessary. Your father spoiled me—now I know relying on others is foolish."

Tears pricked Stella's eyes. She embraced her mother. "Just give me time. I'll make everything right."

"Mom, we're ready!" Ethan stood by the door, backpack secured, his sisters behind him.

Stella checked each child's appearance, repeating safety reminders until they reached Ethan's school. Only then did she remember the parent-teacher meeting.

"Do I look presentable?" She nervously smoothed her hair.

Ethan grinned. "You're the prettiest! My classmates say you look like a movie star."

"Where did you learn such flattery?"

"It's genetics." He shrugged. "Daddy says it's a family trait."

Stella laughed. "Your father was never this smooth."

"That's because he saves his sweet talk for you." Ethan tilted his head. "I've seen him kiss you goodnight when he thinks you're asleep."

Stella choked on air. "Y-you saw that?"

"When I got up to use the bathroom." His expression remained innocent. "Daddy said they're goodnight kisses and told me not to wake you."

Scarlet flooded Stella's cheeks. She fumbled with the car door. "G-go inside! You'll be late!"