Stella Grace, “…”
For a moment, she was speechless.
“I don’t know him well. Let’s get down to business first. He has an ex-girlfriend whose father is a geologist who knows Ryan. His company is collaborating with a construction company to acquire that piece of land. I suspect that it is the location marked on the map of Tavers Village,” Stella said calmly.
“His ex-girlfriend? So he doesn’t have a girlfriend now,” Jasper said insidiously.
Stella sighed. “He should have a girlfriend now. I don’t know him that well. Besides, I’m already a military bride. Don’t you think you’re thinking too much?”
“Good, as long as you are aware. I’ll look into the land you mentioned. We can just confiscate it from them. None of them can get their hands on it then,” Jasper said succinctly.
Stella thought it was great and smiled. “There’s one more thing. I’m on my way back to the military base. I’m leaving for Yale City tomorrow. It’s also Ryan’s hometown. I’m going to be his child’s family teacher. I have to be there from Monday to Friday. We could still meet on the weekends.”
“Well, that’s good. I don’t think I could handle it if you were there for three whole months.”
She didn’t understand. He couldn’t handle it if she was there for three months? And why was it good?
“Eh?”
Jasper Milton was as serious as ever. He said in a low voice, “I’ll go over and keep you company.”
Stella’s heart pounded in her chest.
She was still worried about going to Yale City for three months.
After all, Jasper was at the military base and Bettany was still in A City. Bettany knew how to fool her way into the military base.
They were both women.
Stella wasn’t so magnanimous as to tolerate her husband and his first love being in the same place.
Jasper’s words warmed her heart.
“What about your duties? Can you afford to leave?” Stella asked with concern.
“Didn’t you say that there are treasures on this land? It’ll be a normal business trip,” Jasper reassured her.
Stella was very touched and wondered if she should tell him about Bettany’s situation.
After thinking carefully, she decided to wait.
“I’ll hang up first. Let’s talk when I get to the military base.” Stella’s phone rang immediately after she hung up.
When she saw that it was Frederick Addington, she hesitated for a while before answering.
“Where are you? Let’s have dinner together today,” Frederick said cheerily.
Stella decided to be frank. “Frederick, I have to tell you something. My marriage to Jasper was not annulled. I am his legal wife, and it is a military marriage. I won’t leave him. So if you really like me, let me go. I don’t need more trouble, life is hard enough as it is.”
Frederick was silent for a moment, then he smiled. “What if I want to talk to you about your child this time? I have found your child with Jasper.”
“Really?” Stella was skeptical.
“Identification technology has advanced a lot. I can’t lie even if I wanted to. You can only choose one, your son or Jasper. I’ll wait for you to come back to our matrimonial home. I’ll see you in an hour. If you don’t come, I’ll just disappear from your life. You’ll never find the child then.” Frederick hung up.
Stella’s mind was in turmoil. She stared into space, completely still.
She parked the car on the side of the road as she sorted out her dilemma.
Her first instinct was to go to Frederick, but she was worried that he would get violent.
But if she didn’t go, she may never find her child.
There was another option, she could tell Jasper. Maybe he could find the child.
If Frederick dared to do anything to the child, she and Jasper would not let him go.
But she did not dare risk it.
Although he told her to choose between the child and Jasper, she and Jasper were in a military marriage. She could not leave. She didn’t have much time.
Her mind was in a mess. She called Frederick again.
Frederick answered. However, it was a child’s voice that came from the other end. “Hello, Uncle said that you are my mother?”
Stella’s heart sank and she was even more confused. “Sweetie, how old are you?”
“Five-and-a-half-years-old. Mommy, don’t you know how old I am? Are you really my mother?”
Stella felt very guilty. “Sweetie, can you give the phone to Uncle?”
Frederick answered the phone.
“Frederick, can you show me what the baby looks like? How can you be sure that he is my baby?” Stella asked.
“I’ve checked the parent-child identification. Of course I’m sure,” Frederick said confidently.
“I think you’re lying to me. Where did you find him?” Stella asked tentatively.
“If you want to know the details, then you should come and find the answer yourself. Stella, I’m not giving you extra time. I know Jasper’s abilities. If you don’t arrive in an hour, I will send your son to a place where you’ll never find him. Think about it carefully. If I find out that you told Jasper, you won’t be able to see your son ever again.”
“Don’t be so absolute. Nothing is black and white. There are other options, right?” Stella pleaded anxiously.
“There is no other choice. Your son or Jasper? Think it through.” Frederick hung up.
Stella took out a notebook and wrote down the pros and cons of each choice. She contemplated her options for a long time. She was at a loss. She smacked the steering wheel in frustration.
She could no longer control her emotions. She took out her medicine from her bag and made her decision.
She might not be able to give birth to a beautiful baby in the future. She wanted her son. Jasper was capable, he would definitely be able to find their child. Most definitely.
Stella plopped the medicine into her mouth and lay against the steering wheel, gradually calming down.
She called Eli Wayne.
“Eli, who would you choose? Your biological son or your beloved husband?” Stella asked.
She hoped her subtle message would find its way to Jasper.
“You only have one son but you can get any husband. Of course, I would choose the son. He is my own flesh and blood. He’s definitely worth more to me than any man,” Eli said carelessly. “What’s wrong?”
“Thank you for helping me choose.” Stella frowned and hung up.