Chapter 70

Stella Valentine clutched her phone, fingertips trembling slightly.

Mr. Alistair's text had caught her off guard.

[Eating alone again tonight?]

She suddenly remembered she'd forgotten to inform him of her plans. Quickly, she replied: [I'm so sorry, Mr. Alistair. I made dinner plans with Joy. Should I come back now?]

[No need. Enjoy yourself. The room just feels too empty without you.]

The loneliness in his words made her chest tighten.

[My driver is waiting outside the restaurant. Come straight home when you're done.]

[Okay.]

Putting away her phone, she sighed softly.

Mr. Alistair treated her too well—so well it frightened her. Was this tenderness meant for the woman she resembled, or for her true self?

She didn't dare dwell on it.

"Stella!" Joy Fairsprene waved a hand in front of her face. "Stop thinking about work after hours. How about your love life?"

"Right now, I just want to stabilize my career and gain custody." Stella pressed her lips together. "Luna is still with Adrian. I can't relax."

Joy frowned. "Since Lily can't have children, maybe she'll treat Luna better?"

"Impossible." Stella's voice turned icy. "She'd harm elders without hesitation. What's a child to her?"

The waiter arrived with their food, smiling. "Thank you both. Another guest just ordered the same dishes."

Joy beamed. "My friend here is a designer!"

Stella's ears burned. "Joy!"

"You're the best!" Joy raised her juice glass. "To the brightest star!"

After dinner, Joy rushed off to another gathering.

As Stella headed toward Mr. Alistair's car, someone suddenly yanked her into the shadows.

"Whose car is that?" Adrian Roland's voice was dark with anger.

Pain shot through her wrist. Gasping, Stella snapped, "Did you take up stalking as a new hobby, Mr. Roland?"

Seeing her pale face, Adrian instinctively loosened his grip. "Are you okay? I—"

"Know your place." She wrenched free. "Shouldn't an engaged man stop harassing his ex-wife?"

"Ex-wife?" He laughed coldly. "Our divorce isn't finalized."

Stella turned toward the waiting driver. "Let's go."

Adrian seized her wrist again. "Mr. Alistair? You moved on that quickly?"

"Let go!" She struggled. "You abandoned me first!"

"I abandoned you?" His eyes reddened. "Stella, who betrayed whom?"

The driver approached. "Miss Valentine, Mr. Alistair has been waiting."

Suddenly, Adrian swept her off her feet and shoved her into his own car.

"You're insane!" Stella pounded the window.

He slammed the accelerator, voice frigid. "Want that divorce? Spend tonight with me."

The words struck like a slap.

"Or I'll burn the papers." He glared at the pursuing driver in the rearview mirror. "You'll never be free."

Trembling, Stella dialed Mr. Alistair—only for Adrian to snatch her phone and hurl it out the window.

"Adrian!" Her voice broke. "What will Lily say?"

"Since when do I care?" His smile was cruel. "Tonight, you're not going anywhere."