Chapter 90

The air inside the car turned suffocating.

Stella clenched the hem of her dress, her nails digging into her palms. She regretted exposing the unspoken lie between them.

Why couldn't she have pretended ignorance a little longer?

"Miss Valentine." Julian's voice remained gentle as jade. "Some lies are told for protection. Some deceptions come from kindness."

Stella lowered her lashes. "I'm sorry, I—"

"No apologies needed." He shook his head slightly. "No matter who I am, I would never hurt you."

She could only nod.

"Joy will be back soon. I should go." Julian paused. "Remember to return to the hospital."

As the car door closed, Stella watched through the window as his tall figure walked toward a black Maybach parked nearby.

Only when the car disappeared from sight did she finally exhale.

"Stella!" Joy flung the door open with her usual energy. "I told you it was her!"

Stella rubbed her temples.

"What's wrong?" Joy leaned closer. "I brought big news! One good, one bad. Which do you want first?"

"The bad one."

"Lily might be pregnant!"

Stella's lips twitched. "Oh."

"That's all?" Joy's eyes widened. "If she's really carrying that scumbag Adrian's child—"

"Not my concern." Stella cut her off. "I don't care about their affairs anymore."

Joy pouted. "Fine. Do you want to hear the good news?"

Stella lifted her gaze.

With a dramatic flourish, Joy pulled out her phone and played a recording. Lily's deliberately hushed voice came through: "...had a miscarriage before...hard to conceive again..."

The audio cut off abruptly.

"Well?" Joy arched an eyebrow triumphantly. "I told you I saw her at the OB-GYN! Who knows how many abortions she's had—"

A realization struck Stella. "Then that time she miscarried..."

"Faked it!" Joy scoffed. "Didn't Adrian take her abroad for a whole year? Perfect timing to avoid the paternity test."

Stella smiled bitterly.

Trust worked that way—when given, everything seemed perfect; when broken, every flaw became glaring.

"I'm sending this to Adrian right now!" Joy tapped excitedly at her screen.

"Don't." Stella stopped her hand.

"Why not?"

"Let them get married." Stella stared out the window. "Let love turn to resentment. Let the first love become a stain on the sheets... That's the best revenge."

Joy blinked. "English, please?"

"Trash belongs in the dumpster." Stella chuckled darkly. "Keeps them from contaminating others."

Joy burst out laughing. "Should've said that sooner!" She pocketed her phone. "We'll keep this as leverage. Let's see how long their 'happiness' lasts."

Stella nodded.

"By the way," Joy suddenly turned serious, "about your future—"

"I'll take good care of the children." Stella interrupted, her gaze drifting into the distance. "And then..."

Find a quiet place to see the stars one last time.

[Don't overthink, Stella. It hurts me to see you like this.—Mr. Alistair]

Stella whipped her head around.

Through the swaying tree shadows, the black Maybach that should have left still idled nearby.

The license plate number matched perfectly.