Chapter 50
A baby's cry pierced the silence.
Adrian Roland snapped back to reality, scrambling to his feet. "Is Luna hungry? I'll prepare formula."
Old butler Benjamin Langley stopped him. "Master Adrian, the child's mother is right here. Why use formula?"
Stella Valentine's back visibly stiffened.
Adrian froze.
"Miss Stella, this way please." Benjamin guided her toward the bedroom.
After a brief hesitation, Stella followed, unable to resist her maternal instincts.
The door clicked shut.
Joy Fairsprene burst into the living room, scanning the area. "Adrian Roland! Where's Stella?"
Adrian's expression darkened. "She's fine."
"Fine my ass!" Joy glared. "You even stole her child! What won't you do?"
"Luna is my daughter!"
"Oh, now you acknowledge her?" Joy sneered. "Where were you when Stella was pregnant? When she carried your child alone?"
Adrian fell silent.
"Playing devoted father now?" Joy advanced. "Besides donating sperm, what have you actually done?"
"I'll make it right."
"How?" Joy mocked. "By finding her a stepmother?"
"Joy Fairsprene!" Adrian roared. "You're not welcome here."
"I'm not leaving." She crossed her arms. "Not until Stella walks out safely."
Adrian suddenly asked, "Where is she staying now?"
"None of your business!" Joy rolled her eyes. "Can't even track your own wife's whereabouts?"
"..."
"But someone better than you is taking care of her," Joy deliberately added.
Adrian's pupils contracted. "Who? That bastard's father?"
"Watch your mouth!" Joy snapped. "He's handsome, wealthy, and treats Stella like a queen. Didn't blink before wiring millions for those diamond rings today."
"He bought the rings?"
"Obviously!" Joy scoffed. "The Valentines froze all her assets. She couldn't even afford her mother's medical bills. If I hadn't met her at the hospital—"
A sharp pain stabbed Adrian's chest.
She'd fallen that far?
Yet at the Valentines', she'd appeared so polished...
Joy continued, "Your mistress has quite the medical history too. Check her hospital records."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Joy smirked. "She'll never be a mother. Too many abortions ruined her uterus."
"Lies!" Adrian retorted. "She carried my child until Stella—"
"You believe that?" Joy cut in. "Nobody loves children more than Stella."
The bedroom door opened.
Stella emerged with sleeping Luna in her arms.
"Shh—" She whispered. "Just fell asleep."
Joy peeked at the baby. "She's gorgeous! Got both your best features."
Stella smiled tenderly. "Weighed only four pounds at birth. Now she's heavy and always hungry."
"I'm claiming godmother rights!" Joy beamed.
Stella instinctively glanced at Adrian, remaining silent.
Benjamin brought out steaming wontons. "Miss Stella, stay for supper? Martha's recipe."
At Martha's name, Stella's nose tingled. "No, Joy will take me home."
She kissed Luna's cheek lingeringly.
"Be good, sweetheart. Mommy will come for you soon."
Handing the baby to Benjamin, she stated firmly, "I'll return for Luna shortly."
"Where to?" Benjamin asked.
"The city," Adrian interjected. "It's early."
"Won't be long." Stella's voice held steel. "I'll fight for custody."
She grabbed Joy's arm and strode out.
Dared not look back.
Afraid one glance would shatter her resolve.
Benjamin fretted. "Master Adrian, shouldn't you—"
Adrian collapsed onto the sofa, arm over his eyes. "What's the point..."
"What really happened between you two?"
"Benjamin."
"Yes?"
"I can't forgive what happened to my parents."
Benjamin sighed. "The police ruled it an accident. Why blame Miss Stella?"
"But she lied!" Adrian's voice cracked. "Disappeared the moment the Rolands fell..."
Benjamin suddenly recalled something. "That day, a young woman from the 4S shop came for car maintenance..."
Adrian bolted upright. "What did you say?"