“You guys aren’t leaving anymore, right?” Sean Yaleman went straight to the point.
“Yeah, too many things have happened recently. Jasper’s father has just passed away. There are some responsibilities that he simply couldn’t avoid,” Stella Grace said vaguely.
Sean laughed, “Ha, you finally know there are some responsibilities that one could never avoid. Just like me, why do I insist to be the President? If I don’t, my family will be in danger. After all, my father once had so many enemies, so I have to protect them.”
Stella remained silent.
She didn’t know why Sean had said these to her. Was it because he knew their purpose and was trying to warn them, or…
“Why are you telling me this?” Stella was suspicious.
“I love Eli and I also love my family. However, I can’t possibly protect both at the moment. But I could marry her after I stabilize my regime a few years later,” Sean said in a low voice.
So that was his reason.
“Sean, forget it. The regime will not be stable once you marry her. You know her well. She is not suitable to be your wife. Furthermore, you killed her mother, so she will never forgive you. I guess that she won’t forgive me as well. Why are you trying to deceive yourself still?” Stella said coldly.
“I have no affection for my current wife. I married her just for the sake of politics. She has to protect the reputation of her family, as do I. As long as I could help her maintain her family honor, she will disappear without any trace. Then, I could marry Eli openly. I don’t love her and I won’t even touch her. She doesn’t need to waste her time on me,” Sean explained.
“Why are you telling me all this?” Stella was puzzled.
“I hope that you could tell me where she is,” Sean finally revealed the real purpose of the call.
“I don’t know where she is.”
“I know, but you have a way to find her, don’t you?” Sean said in a low voice.
“No, I don’t. Well, I’m going to have breakfast. Sorry, but I’m sure that you’re aware of my physical condition. Bye,” Stella hung up the phone before Sean could speak.
Jasper stood behind her, “Fortunately, Eli doesn’t love Sean, else you would be in a dilemma.”
Stella shrugged, “Sean probably does not know much about his father’s doings in the past. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called and told me that he wanted to protect his family. What do you think?”
“The fewer people know about it, the better. I am five years older than Sean. When my father was murdered, he wasn’t even born yet. So he probably doesn’t know about it.”
“If Sean knows that his father had committed these abominable crimes, do you think that he will still help his father?” Stella asked.
“I’m not sure. Sean probably knows that his father is not a very righteous person. However, before we overthrow Asher, we must bring Christian down first. Everything has to be done step by step,” Jasper said rationally.
“Okay,” Stella nodded, “Let’s have breakfast. I’m a little hungry.”
Jasper scratched her nose and said, “Let’s go. Wait for me at home today.”
“I miss the life on the island,” Stella said casually.
“You’re pregnant now and we don’t have a doctor over there. What if something happens to you?” Jasper was worried.
Stella thought about it and agreed. If she and Jasper went out for a walk and met a wolf pack, she might not able to escape, “Let’s talk about it after I give birth to our baby.”
Jasper smiled and held her hand to go out.
Suzi Shine had already gotten up. Seeing that they were there, she smiled and said, “Auntie Wood, heat the breakfast for Master Jasper and Miss Natalie.”
“Okay,” Auntie Wood entered the kitchen diligently.
“Mom, I want to talk to you alone,” Stella whispered.
“Oh, okay. Come to my room,” Suzi smiled and walked into her room first.
Jasper tightened his grip which was holding onto Stella’s hand. Then, he loosened it. He probably knew what Stella was going to say.
Stella walked into Suzi’s room and closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath and said, “I’ve thought about it for a long time. I don’t want to hide it from you, but I hope you could keep it a secret.”
“What’s the matter?” Suzi was a little nervous.
“Mom, my name is Natalie Wheeler now, but my former name is Stella Grace,” Stella said frankly. She was worried that Suzi would overthink if she were to find out the truth one day. It would be better for her to confess now.
Suzi was stunned for a moment. She looked at Stella and paused for fifteen seconds, “I should have known earlier.”
“I’m sorry.”
Suzi held Stella’s hand, “When I first saw you five years ago, I already knew that you are a kind and clever girl after you told me those words.
I didn’t dare to accept you because I had hurt you before this. But in fact, I had already accepted you two years ago.
Where have you been over the past two years? Did you know that Jasper was in great pain without you? He drowned himself in alcohol and almost died. I know that he did it on purpose. He thought you were dead and he wanted to go accompany you in heaven.”
Stella felt a jolt of pain in her heart and she explained briefly, “I had been going through therapy for the past two years. My life was hanging by a thread at that time. However, I survived and came back in the end.”
Suzi patted Stella’s hand, “My dear, you have suffered a lot. I have to say sorry to you. Steven and I hurt you for our own interests.”
“I understand where you and Dad had come from and I have never blamed you both. If I were to put myself in your shoes, I would have done the same thing for my children too.”
Suzi looked at Stella’s little finger subconsciously, “How did you fit this on?”
“This little finger is artificial. It’s just for aesthetics purposes,” Stella explained.
“I’m sorry,” Suzi said again.
Stella shook her head and said, “It’s okay.”
“Alright, let’s have some breakfast. You must be hungry. Jasper will go out later and I have to go to the company. You may get bored if you stay here alone. If you want to ask your friend to come over to keep you company, just let me know and I will bring your friend over,” Suzi said enthusiastically.
Eli Wayne appeared in Stella’s mind.
If Eli was here right now, the atmosphere would definitely not be boring and lonely. After all, Eli was a talkative and bubbly girl, and she could brighten up a room with just her presence.
She wondered how Eli was doing now.
Was she having a good time over there?
“Natalie,” Suzi called.
Stella came to her senses and said with a smile, “Thank you, Mom. I don’t need it for the time being. Right now, I want to revise what I have learned. I haven’t practiced for a long time. I’m afraid that I have forgotten it.”
“Ah okay, just let me know if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
When Stella went out, Jasper was looking at his mobile phone.
“I’ll head over to the company first. Don’t forget to have breakfast,” Suzi ordered.
“Okay,” Stella answered and stood next to Jasper. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“So, did you reveal your true identity to Mom?” Jasper asked.
“Yeah, you know me well.”