Chapter 469

Adrian Roland's fingers trembled slightly as his phone screen lit up.

The photo showed Stella Valentine crouching to tie Ethan's shoelaces. Sunlight filtered through leaves, dancing along her hair with a soft golden glow.

"Mr. Roland, this was taken at last week's kindergarten family event," Vincent Astor leaned in, pointing at the screen. "Mrs. Valentine played tag with the kids. They were having so much fun."

Adrian zoomed in and out three times before saving the image.

"I don't deserve to be their father."

Vincent scratched his head. "You shouldn't say that. Most wealthy fathers don't care half as much as—"

"Care?" Adrian's lips twisted bitterly. "I can't even have dinner with them."

His thumb hovered over her contact countless times, always retreating before dialing. Afraid of hearing exhaustion in her voice. More afraid of polite small talk.

"Mrs. Valentine's been glowing lately," Vincent suddenly whispered. "Yesterday she baked cookies for the kids. The whole floor smelled like vanilla."

Adrian's throat moved. "She..."

"Oh!" Vincent slapped his thigh. "One parent asked if I was the dad! I immediately—"

The office temperature plummeted.

Vincent belatedly covered his mouth. "She only touched my wrist! And I corrected them right away!"

Adrian slowly twirled his pen.

"Look at this instead!" Vincent hastily pulled up a tablet. "Shi's Jewelry's new emerald collection sold out instantly. At the launch event, Mrs. Valentine—"

The pen clattered onto documents.

Vincent gulped. "Should I request a transfer to the South Africa branch?"

"Unnecessary." Adrian pushed away the personnel transfer form. "Send the new project manager."

His thumb absently traced the phone's edge. The lockscreen showed Stella's silhouette bending to retrieve a kite.

Vincent sighed. "Mr. Roland, you clearly—"

"Vincent." Adrian cut him off. "Know what's most pathetic?"

Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected his red-rimmed eyes.

"I don't even have the right to be jealous."

The filing cabinet's glass mirrored his slumped shoulders. The ruthless negotiator now looked like a lost child.

"When Mrs. Valentine saw your photo—"

"She looked at my photo?" Adrian's head snapped up.

Vincent nodded. "Last week while organizing albums. She stared at that picture of you with the kids for a long time."

Ink bloomed where the pen tip pressed into paper.

"She..." Adrian's voice cracked. "What did she say?"

"Nothing." Vincent softened his tone. "But when Luna said she missed you, Mrs. Valentine's eyes turned red."

Adrian abruptly stood and walked to the window.

From the 23rd floor, Shi Corporation's glass facade glowed gold in the sunset.

"Ever been in love?" he asked suddenly.

Vincent blinked. "In college—"

"Real love," Adrian pressed a hand to his aching chest, "is something you'd work yourself to death for and still remember."

He'd tried drowning in work. Yet at 3 AM, his computer screen always morphed into her smile.

"Sometimes I think..." Adrian gave a bitter laugh. "Just watching from afar is enough."

At least she still existed in his world.