Chapter 9
Adrian Roland's brows furrowed into a tight knot, his gaze sharp as a blade slicing through her.
Stella Valentine saw everything with crystal clarity.
How could he possibly agree?
His beloved woman was injured, and the perpetrator stood right before him. Adrian probably wished he could tear her to pieces—why would he ever watch stars with her?
The irony was, in her current physical state, even standing steady took tremendous effort. If Lily Savigny hadn't staged this act, Stella wouldn't have been able to lay a finger on her.
Her eyes drifted to Lily's dress.
A white-and-pink chiffon gown embroidered with delicate lavender flowers—exquisitely blinding.
Adrian had always loved that pattern. Once, eight out of ten dresses in her closet were floral sundresses he'd personally picked.
Now that dress remained pristine, without a single crease.
Yet its owner wept as if the world had wronged her.
"Miss Savigny," Stella suddenly spoke, "what do you do for a living?"
Lily trembled like a startled rabbit, burrowing into Adrian's arms. "Adrian..."
"Don't be afraid." His voice softened to a whisper as he tightened his grip around her waist. "I'm here."
When he turned to Stella, that warmth froze instantly. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
"Stella Valentine, I'm warning you—don't even think about touching Lily."
"Adrian Roland, I'm warning you too." A sudden smile curved her lips. "When I lose control, even I fear myself."
His face darkened, but he swallowed his fury.
Stella nearly laughed aloud.
Everyone had a weakness.
Hers was her son. Adrian's was Lily. If he already saw her as a villain, what harm was there in being crueler?
She strode past them, pushing the door open. "Seven tonight. The rooftop."
The floor-to-ceiling windows of their marital home faced the garden.
When she glanced down again, the perfect couple had vanished.
Probably rushing to the hospital.
He must be heartbroken.
That was Adrian—always doting on those he loved. Pity the Stella he once cherished had long been replaced by Lily.
It didn't matter anymore.
All she wanted now was to conceive and let her baby live.
Stella took out her phone, set up the stand, and pressed record.
"Sweetheart, it's Mommy." She smiled tenderly at the lens. "If you're watching this, I'm already gone. But don't be sad. Mommy just went somewhere beautiful."
Her gaze softened like spring water.
"I thought long and hard, and decided to name you Ethan. Like the sun—warm, bright, and forever happy. Okay?"
"When you miss me, look up at the stars. I'll be there, watching over you every night—"
Her voice broke.
Tears cascaded down.
She hurriedly ended the recording. Her child mustn't see her cry.
After saving the video to a flash drive, she headed downstairs to mail it. That tiny metal piece carried all her love and longing.