The old Stella Grace would have been intimidated.
Jasper Milton scrutinized her with an intense gaze.
She remained calm.
She asked with a smile, “You are troubled by the thought, aren’t you?”
Jasper tried to discern her reaction.
It was in vain.
She just smiled winsomely, as if it didn’t matter to her.
Jasper held her gaze. “Is it true?”
“The past is in the past. You don’t have to care about it so much.
It is meaningless to know whether we have loved each other in the past.
Perhaps, I was the only one who was in love?
As time goes by, any impetuous thoughts should stay in that impetuous past,” Stella said jokingly.
“Stop talking nonsense. I only want to know if we dated before?” Jasper said in a serious tone.
Stella paused for a moment and answered, “No, we didn’t.”
Jasper glared at her. “Is it fun to talk so much nonsense? Do you think I have time to listen to your story?”
Stella realized she had crossed a line. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
Truth was, she was just trying to conceal her true feelings.
She put on a distant facade to hide her guilt.
Jasper looked out the window.
The rain pattered outside the glass window.
Stella turned to look outside too.
Neither of them talked. The atmosphere in the car was getting even more tense, making them uneasy.
Finally, they arrived at the nursing home.
Stella got out of the car.
Jasper helped her with the luggage and passed her an umbrella.
Stella did not refuse. Then she hulled her luggage into the nursing home.
Jasper watched her through the rear mirror until she was out of his sight. She was inscrutable.
Stella went to see the doctor who attended her mother, then she visited her mother, Celine Grace.
Three years ago, even though she could not recognize Stella and often would mumble to herself, she would still smile whenever she sees her.
But now, she just hugged a pillow and stared into space with a blank expression.
According to the doctor, she had also lost control of her bladder and bowel movements. She spent most of her time lying bed and rarely moved around.
Frederick Addington hired two nurses to take care of Celine.
That was why she still looked clean.
Stella sat in front of Celine.
Celine did not move her eyes as if she did not see her.
“Mom, it’s me, Stella,” Stella said gently.
Celine was not responsive.
“How is Wilson Chuck doing recently?” Stella asked again.
Celine slowly turned her head and looked at Stella.
Stella smiled softly, but her eyes watered.
There was only Wilson in Celine’s heart.
Stella was not important to Celine.
“He is doing well. We even went dancing yesterday,” Celine said.
“What kind of music was it?” Stella asked casually while tapping her fingers on the table.
“It was The Danube River. It was evening. The sunset was beautiful, the sunlight dyed the sky red. He held my waist, and we moved slowly and gently,” Celine smiled.
“Oh, I saw you guys. You look gorgeous and you guys look so sweet. By the way, I saw him giving you a box. What did you see when you opened the box?” Stella handed Celine a small box.
“It was a diamond. He proposed to me. He finally proposed to me. I’m so happy,” Celine said happily as she stood up.
Stella stood behind her. “It’s not just one diamond. There’s another diamond too. What happened?”
Celine was shocked. “What’s going on?”
“He proposed to me twice..?” Celine said in confusion.
“He proposed twice? Did you both divorce the first time?” Stella asked.
“Divorce?” Celine panicked, fear filled her eyes and her face twisted into a ferocious expression. She covered her head and murmured, “You’re a bitch, you took my man away from me. I’m going to kill you.”
Celine glared at Stella fiercely and reached out to choke her.
Stella stayed calm. “You won in the end. Wilson proposed to you again.”
Celine paused and said, “Yes, he proposed to me again. He divorced that bitch.”
She looked at Stella in confusion. “Who are you?”
Stella gave her a small smile and said, “Mom, I’m back. I’m Stella.”
Celine held Stella’s shoulder. “Are you really Stella? Where have you been? I haven’t seen you for a long time.”
Her grip was so tight that Stella felt a little painful. “Mom, I will be here with you from now on. We will get better and I’m confident that Dad will come back to you.”
Celine held her face. “Really? Will your father come back to me?” she asked in surprise and doubt.
“Don’t forget that you are the most beautiful woman in the world. He quarreled with his family in order to marry you. As long as you tidy yourself up, you’re still as beautiful as before,” Stella said with a smile.
“Yes, yes, I want to take a bath, I want to wash my hair and I want to put on makeup,” Celine said happily.
Stella sat down and tapped on the table. “Do you need my help?”
“No, I’m not a child. I can do it by myself.” Celine took off her clothes and went into the bathroom.
Stella smiled gently and walked to the window. Her eyes were clear as she looked at the heavy rain outside.
The doctors and nurses were shocked.
Over the past year, Celine had never talked. She was unable to take care of herself. Now, she could find her own clothes and take a bath.
Was this the power of family?
Celine came out of the bathroom, and Stella dried her hair with a hair dryer. She patiently applied delicate makeup on her mother then used her mobile phone to take a photo of her.
Celine was satisfied with the photo. “Send it to your father.”
“Don’t worry.” Stella took back her mobile phone from Celine and held her hand. “Mom, I don’t think you are in your best condition. We have to prepare fully before we meet Dad. Otherwise, I’m afraid the result won’t turn out as we expected.”
“What should I do?” Celine asked.
“Work out, start a balanced diet, read books, and make yourself better. Leave the rest to me.”
“Alright, but you have to help me,” Celine pleaded.
Stella’s looked meaningfully at her mother. “I will definitely help you.”
Celine talked a lot about her past. She was able to express herself clearly.
Stella listened patiently to her.
When Celine was tired of talking, she lied in bed and rested. She took the bed sheet and blanket by herself.
After that, Stella came out from Celine’s room.
Greg Miles was standing outside the room. “I came here to meet my senior today. Then I heard that some expert came here as well. I didn’t expect it to be you. Your hypnotic skills are indeed divine. Welcome back, Stella Grace. I have something important to tell you.”