Chapter 06

"Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?" Nathan asked, his eyes fixed on her.

"It’s fine; it’s just a scratch. Why worry you or Liam? Wouldn’t that just make him feel even guiltier?" Stella explained, her voice steady. Nathan, however, raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"A scratch, you say? When there’s this much blood? Are you serious?"

Stella pressed her lips together, choosing not to respond.

"Is Victor your boyfriend?" Nathan asked nonchalantly, resting his hand on the arm of the couch.

"No, Victor is just a friend," Stella replied firmly.

Now she understood the look Nathan had given her earlier, at the restaurant. He thought she and Victor were together.

"Stella, do you know the quicker someone denies something, the more suspicious it seems?" Nathan chuckled at her response.

Stella could sense his unusually light mood. Perhaps he found solace in the idea that if she had a boyfriend, their divorce would proceed without complications.

Victor, oblivious to the dramatic changes in Stella's life, had arranged to meet her at a café. Winter sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over Stella as she sat near the glass, her hair and figure seemingly illuminated. When Victor saw her, he couldn’t help but think it was a picturesque scene.

"So, Nathan's return was because of this?" Victor asked slowly.

"Yes," Stella nodded. "We had some check-ups done. All I know is that preparing for an artificial insemination baby takes a lot of time..." She hadn’t finished her sentence before Victor interrupted, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Stella, what did you just say? Artificial insemination?"

"Nathan wants to remain 'pure' for his beloved, so he’ll only consider having another child through artificial means," Stella replied bitterly. "Are you alright?" she asked, noticing Victor’s expression shift.

Victor shook his head, then, as he had done in the past, reached out and playfully pinched the tip of her nose. Just as he was about to say something, Stella’s phone rang.

"Hello, Madame Collins," Stella answered. "Yes, I’ll be right there."

After hanging up, she turned to Victor. "I have to go; Madame Collins is looking for me."

"Let me take you," Victor offered, rising to his feet.

"There’s no need. I drove here, but thank you," Stella said with a smile. Gathering her belongings, she slipped on her coat and left.

When she arrived at the Collins residence, something felt amiss. Anna Collins sat on the couch, her expression grim, with Filippo and Carla by her side.

Stella removed her shoes, exchanged them for house slippers, and approached.

"Hello, Madame Anna, father-in-law, mother-in-law."

"Stella, sit here," Anna said, pointing to the vacant spot beside her.

Apprehensive, Stella complied. Anna handed her a folder.

"Look at this. What is it?"

Stella opened the file, her heart sinking as her eyes scanned its contents. It was their check-up records for the artificial insemination procedure. The Collins family had discovered everything.

"Why would you pursue artificial insemination knowing how low the success rate is?" Filippo asked, his voice deep and steady.

"Do you even need to ask, Filippo? Of course, Nathan forced her into it!" Anna interjected coldly, clearly furious with her grandson.

"Mother, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Perhaps Nathan isn’t involved," Carla attempted, her tone conciliatory.

"Not involved? Who else could come up with such an idea? It must be about Olivia—that model! Does he think he can prioritize her over his own child?" Anna’s voice rose as she shot a glare at Carla. "Call Nathan! I want him here within fifteen minutes!" she demanded.

Carla, though no longer young, wouldn’t dare disobey the matriarch. She nodded and made the call.

Stella’s mind was in chaos. She couldn’t fathom how the Collins family had uncovered their plans. Now that they knew, there was no way to hide the truth. Anna Collins’s temper was legendary, and Stella knew today would be brutal.

Nathan arrived shortly after, his expression unreadable as he entered the room and took a seat.

"What’s going on? Why is everyone here?" he asked casually.

Anna’s calm demeanor was unnerving. She picked up the folder from the table and tossed it in front of him.

"Nathan, explain this," she ordered.

Nathan opened the folder and examined its contents. As realization dawned, his first instinct was to turn to Stella. His gaze was sharp and icy.

"Stella, I underestimated you," he said coldly.

Stella knew he believed she was the one who had leaked the information to the Collins family. She looked at him, her face pale, but she said nothing. At that moment, no explanation would convince him otherwise. Besides, now wasn’t the time to defend herself.