Chapter 99

Adrian Roland's eyes snapped open.

His temples throbbed as if someone had hammered against them. Struggling to sit up, he realized he was only wrapped in a loose bathrobe.

Lily Savigny nestled beside him, her curves accentuated by black silk pajamas. Her cheeks were flushed, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Adrian, last night—"

"Get out!" He shoved her away and staggered off the bed.

Clothes were scattered across the floor. He yanked on his shirt, fingers trembling with rage.

Lily wrapped her arms around him from behind. "I was wrong. Can't we start over?"

"You drugged me?" Adrian spun around and gripped her chin.

"I didn't—"

"Bullshit!" Veins bulged at his temples. "How could I not remember anything?"

Lily paled.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind: No matter what, you must get pregnant. It's your last bargaining chip.

"Consider it a farewell gift." She forced tears to her eyes. "I won't tell Stella."

Adrian sneered. "You lied about my parents just to get me here for this?"

"Wasn't she the same back then—"

"Shut up!" His gaze turned razor-sharp. "Don't you dare mention her."

Lily clenched the sheets. "Have you forgotten who killed your parents? That drunk driver from the Valentine family—"

"Enough!" He hurled a cigarette box against the wall.

Adrian lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. Through the smoke, Stella's pale face flickered in his mind.

"Luna's been sick often lately." Lily suddenly changed tactics. "Let me take care of her."

"Lily." He exhaled a smoke ring. "Drop the act."

"What act?"

"Martha. Luna." He crushed the cigarette. "Two million will be wired today. Let's end this clean."

The door slammed shut behind him.

Stella Valentine lay staring at the ceiling.

Mr. Alistair hadn't come last night. The realization tightened her chest.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains. She forced herself to rally—she couldn't meet Ethan looking like this.

Her phone rang just as she changed into the new outfit Joy had bought her. The white blouse and coffee-brown skirt made her reflection look like a high school student again.

"Stella?" Hugo Merovingian hesitated on the line. "You..."

"What's wrong?"

"Almost didn't recognize you." He chuckled. "Like a teenager playing dress-up."

Carrying Luna downstairs, Stella drew admiring glances from everyone.

Hugo's SUV waited outside. Her hand froze mid-reach when she went to open the passenger door.

"Take the front seat," Hugo said, rolling down the window.

Stella shook her head and slid into the back. "This seat... isn't meant for me."

As the car pulled away, she caught her flushed ears in the rearview mirror.

Some boundaries could never be crossed.