Chapter 85

Stella Valentine never imagined she would have such peaceful days.

No more struggling to make ends meet.

No more worrying about illnesses.

Just quiet moments with her daughter.

Little Luna babbled in her arms, waving tiny hands like an energetic bunny.

"She's recovering remarkably fast." The doctor smiled after the checkup, gently touching Luna's cheek. "Those who survive great calamities are destined for happiness."

Stella kissed her daughter's forehead. This child had endured so much, yet still radiated joy.

Joy Fairsprene burst into the room, arms laden with shopping bags. "Stella, look what I got for Luna!"

Baby supplies piled onto the sofa. Stella shook her head. "Are you trying to buy out the entire mall?"

"You don't understand." Joy leaned in conspiratorially. "This little one is my lucky charm."

Stella chuckled. Once Joy set her mind on something, nothing could change it.

"Actually," Joy's expression turned serious, "there's something I need to ask you."

"Hmm?"

"About Mr. Alistair..." Joy hesitated. "Why does he refuse to show himself?"

Stella's fingers stilled. The question pricked like a thorn.

"He has his reasons," she murmured.

Joy sat upright. "Stella, I have a theory."

"What?"

"Either he's hideously ugly, or..." Joy lowered her voice, "...he has facial scars."

Stella's pulse jumped. That moonlit silhouette flashed in her mind—the sharp jawline, the straight nose. She'd never seen his left side.

"There's a businessman in Houston," Joy said carefully, "with a scar over his left eye."

Stella's breath caught.

"My ex-boyfriend." Joy gave a bitter smile. "Six years ago, I broke up with him to adopt a child who survived school bullying."

Stella stared at her friend, stunned. The revelation crashed like a boulder into still waters.

"You were married?"

"Divorced ages ago." Joy waved a hand. "That child is thriving now—got into Houston University."

Mr. Alistair's words echoed in Stella's mind: I hurt the woman I loved most. If that man was Joy's ex...

"He hates me." Joy's voice trembled. "Later, he flaunted his new girlfriend in front of me."

Stella's heartbeat accelerated. All clues pointed in one direction.

"Joy," she heard her own shaky voice, "who was your ex-boyfriend?"