Chapter 75

Joy Fairsprene pushed open the hospital room door to find Adrian Roland curled in the shadows of the corridor.

His suit was crumpled beyond recognition, the tie hanging loose around his neck. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw, and his once-sharp eyes were now bloodshot, staring vacantly at the floor.

"Stella wants to see you." Joy swallowed the word "scumbag" before it could escape.

Adrian flinched as if struck, his fingers digging into his palms.

"What, scared now?" Joy's laugh was icy. "She's finally willing to talk, and you're chickening out?"

"I know what she'll say." His voice was raw, like sandpaper on skin.

He'd practically lived in the hospital smoking room these past days, the scent of nicotine clinging to him. The nurses had given up evicting him, resigning themselves to leaving him his corner.

Joy crossed her arms. "Then don't keep her waiting."

Adrian rose slowly, pushing the door open with the caution of someone afraid to wake a sleeping beast.

Stella Valentine sat propped against the pillows, the sunlight gilding her pale profile. At the sound of the door, she turned. Her eyes were still pools of nothingness.

"You hurt me," she said.

His Adam's apple bobbed. "I'm sorry."

"You'll cover the medical bills."

"Yes." The word came too fast. "And your mother's treatment, I'll—"

"No need." Her interruption was sharp. "It's already taken care of."

His pupils contracted. "By him?"

"Yes."

"Is he... good to you?"

"Better than you were." Her whisper cut like a scalpel. "That's enough."

Adrian's smile was uglier than a grimace. "You're divorcing me to be with him?"

"I just want to repay his kindness with what little time I have left." She shook her head. "Nothing more."

"Can we... not divorce?" His fingers closed around hers, cold as death.

Stella wrenched her hand free. "No."

"Even just on paper—"

"Adrian." Her gaze pinned him. "Why bother?"

Outside, twilight deepened. The first star blinked to life.

"Look." Stella's sudden smile was heartbreaking. "Heaven's pitying me."

Adrian followed her gaze. The sky wasn't fully dark yet, the stars faint but countless.

That was her.

The memory hit like a fist—a girl on tiptoe whispering in his ear: "See? The sky's full of my name."

Tears traced silent paths down Stella's cheeks. "This time... it's really goodbye."