Chapter 84

"Stop calling! Stella needs rest!"

"No way? Who do you think you are? She doesn’t want to talk to you. Can’t you just be decisive for once? If you want a divorce, then get it over with. Stop dragging things out with your sentimental nonsense..."

Who was speaking?

Stella Valentine slowly opened her eyes, realizing she had been brought back to her hospital room at some point. Little Luna gazed up at her with wide, curious eyes.

Her heart melted. She pressed a soft kiss to her daughter’s cheek. The baby giggled instantly.

"Silly girl," Stella murmured, tapping Luna’s tiny nose. "You nearly gave Mommy a heart attack yesterday. You must never drink anything that smells strange again."

Luna babbled in response, wrapping her tiny fingers around Stella’s.

"Stella!" Joy Fairsprene abruptly ended the call and rushed over, her eyes red-rimmed. "Why does everything bad happen to you? I was only gone for half a day, and this happens..."

Judging by her friend’s puffy eyes, Joy must have cried before arriving.

"You’ve been working so hard for me," Stella said, squeezing Joy’s hand. "I’ve taken up too much of your time."

"Nonsense! My dad’s company is thriving now—orders are pouring in. He’s practically pushing me out the door to stay with you, our family’s savior."

"...Savior?"

"Absolutely! You saved me in college, and now you’ve saved our business. Stella, I’m sticking with you for life!"

Stella chuckled. "Then start by delivering my resignation letter to Mr. Valence. I don’t think I can return to work."

Joy’s face lit up. "Actually, he didn’t fire you! He approved remote work with full pay!"

Stella blinked. "Really?"

"Of course!" Joy beamed. "That obsidian jewelry set you designed for Madeline Valdemar? It went viral! At last night’s auction, every socialite went crazy for Unique Jewelry, demanding your designs!"

Stella froze.

As a designer, she had confidence in her work. The obsidian collection was striking, but she never expected such a sensation.

"Madeline won’t stop praising you. Your name is all over high society now. Even my mom’s friends are begging for custom pieces."

"What does your mother want?" Stella offered immediately. "I have nothing but time here."

"Are you kidding?" Joy gasped. "Unique Jewelry’s waitlist extends to next year! Mr. Valence limited you to one commission per month, and over twenty clients are already queued up."

The flood of good news left Stella dazed.

Back in Milan, her professors had praised her talent. Now that recognition had become reality, it felt surreal.

"Joy, I—"

"Stella." Joy gripped her hands tightly. "You have to stay strong. The world needs you—at least finish these commissions. For your children. For your admirers. Promise me?"

Stella’s nose stung. "Okay."

She understood Joy’s fear. While she’d made peace with her late-stage cancer diagnosis, her friend was clearly terrified.

"Oh!" Joy suddenly remembered. "That scumbag Adrian called about finalizing the divorce at the courthouse. He wanted to speak to you, but since you blocked him, he called me. I shut him down."

Stella pressed her lips together. "Good."

"Once the divorce is done, you’ll be free. You and Mr. Alistair can finally be together properly."

At the mention of him, Stella asked, "When did you arrive?"

"Around six this morning." Joy showed her phone. "See? I got this text at six. It must be from him. I came straight here."

The message bore Mr. Alistair’s signature thoughtfulness—gentle, considerate, ending with gratitude.

"Stella, he’s really something," Joy said earnestly. "Zachary doesn’t stand a chance. Gentleness is a man’s greatest charm."

Stella smiled softly. "Mm."

"Don’t believe those domineering CEO novels. In real life, kind and strong men are the most reliable. True masculinity isn’t about acting cool—it’s about protecting loved ones with tenderness."

Stella laughed. "Since when did you become so philosophical? Bad breakup?"

"Ugh, remembering my awful first love." Joy grimaced. "My ex acted like some novel’s tyrannical CEO—always forcing kisses, even saying ‘I own this fishing pond’ when we went angling. So cringey!"

Joy’s exaggerated disgust made Stella burst into laughter. Even Luna waved her tiny fists, giggling.

Then Stella recalled the nurse’s instructions to reduce Luna’s morning feeding.

Her phone buzzed.

[Already fed the baby—3 AM and 6 AM. Don’t worry.]

Joy peeked. "Him again?"

"Yes."

Reading this perfectly timed message, Stella sighed. She hadn’t been as attentive as Mr. Alistair.

[Thank you.]

[Listen to the doctors and rest well. I’ll visit tonight.]

[Okay.]

[Stella, your daughter is adorable. She takes after you.]

Putting her phone away, Stella gazed at the bundle in her arms. Luna’s eyes crinkled with joy, babbling happily.

This child was born smiling.

A girl who smiles often is blessed with luck.

Stella hugged Luna tighter, kissing her forehead. "Grow up healthy and happy. Mommy doesn’t care if you become a Roland heiress—just keep laughing like this. Then, even if I... I’ll be at peace."