Chapter 81
The phone's ringtone shattered the silence.
Stella Valentine's fingers trembled as she answered the call.
"Stella, I have your daughter." Lily Savigny's voice slithered into her ear like a venomous snake.
Stella's blood turned to ice. "Lily! If you dare lay a finger on Luna, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
"Tsk, so dramatic." Lily chuckled. "I'm just reminding you—if you don't come to the old house soon..."
The line went dead.
"Hello? Lily!"
Only the hollow dial tone answered her.
Stella staggered to her feet, her frail frame swaying in the hospital gown.
"Miss, do you need help?" A new father by the doorway asked with concern.
She ignored him, grabbing her phone and bolting for the exit.
"Patients can't engage in strenuous activity!" A nurse rushed to block her path.
"My daughter's in danger!" Stella's voice cracked. "Please, let me go..."
The nurse hesitated. "But your condition—"
"I'll sign a waiver!" Stella turned to the man. "Please..."
Understanding, he gently held the nurse back. "Let her go."
Stella plunged into the rain.
Fat droplets stung her face like needles.
The hospital entrance swarmed with people hailing cabs.
She waved desperately, watching taxis get snatched up one after another.
"Stella!"
Adrian Roland's voice cut through the downpour.
He pulled her under the awning. "What happened?"
She wrenched free. "Lily went to the old house! Did you tell her the address?"
"I didn't—"
"Who else knew where it was?!" Her eyes burned crimson. "If anything happens to Luna, I'll never forgive you!"
Adrian's face darkened. "Get in the car."
The vehicle was tomb-silent.
Stella clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms.
Through the rearview mirror, Adrian saw her soaked gown clinging to her frame, rainwater pooling in her slippers.
"Dry your hair—"
"Shut up!"
Twenty minutes later, tires screeched outside the old house.
Stella burst into the nursery.
"Little Star?" Old Benjamin turned in surprise.
"Where's Luna?"
"Just fell asleep..."
Stella lunged for the crib.
Little Luna lay still, cheeks flushed.
Her shaking hands checked every inch—no visible injuries.
But something acrid hung in the air.
"Benjamin, what did you feed her today?"
"Just formula and water..."
Stella snatched the bottle from the nightstand and twisted it open—
The pungent stench of alcohol assaulted them.
"This is liquor?!" Adrian grabbed it, face draining of color.
The old man's legs buckled. "Impossible! I filled it with water..."
Stella gathered her daughter.
The baby burned against her skin, unresponsive.
"How much did she drink?"
"H-half the bottle..."
They raced to the hospital.
Emergency lights glared.
"Alcohol poisoning." The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Immediate gastric lavage."
Stella's knees gave out. "No... other options?"
"Five more minutes and it's too late."
She bit her lip until copper flooded her mouth. "...Do it."
The procedure would damage Luna's delicate stomach.
But not doing it would kill her.
Dark spots danced in Stella's vision as she stumbled back.
Strong arms caught her.
"Let go!" She thrashed. "Adrian, you bastard!"
"I'll deal with Lily."
"How?" Stella laughed bitterly. "Like you 'dealt' with marrying her?"
His grip tightened. "This is different."
"I just want Luna safe!" Her scream tore through the corridor. "If she dies, I'll haunt you both!"
The OR lights burned like judgment.
Slumping onto the bench, Stella's tears blurred everything.
Her tiny Luna, so soft, so fragile...
Why did she have to suffer this?