Chapter 07

“Nathan, this was certainly your idea, and now you’re trying to pin the blame on someone else?” Upon hearing her grandson’s words, Anna grew even more irritated. “Do you remember that your son depends on you to live? How long do you plan to gamble with his life? Is some random model more important than a child’s life?”

Anna was trembling with anger, her chest tightening as she spoke to her grandson. She couldn’t comprehend what Nathan saw in that model—someone who couldn’t stand out on the runway, let alone land a role in a British film or TV series. She was utterly submissive to him.

Coming from a family of models, Anna despised the industry, especially after her mother had been one and rarely had time for her or her brother. So when Nathan began a relationship with a model, Anna was the first to oppose it.

“Grandma, I already told you, the model has a name—Olivia Carson!”

Anna laughed loudly at how protective her grandson was of Olivia.

“She has a name, so what? Isn’t she still a model?” Anna retorted. “Nathan, this is my final warning to you. Even though you’re my only grandson, Liam is the most important thing in my life, and I won’t let him suffer because of someone as spoiled as you!”

Nathan’s eyes turned colder at his grandmother’s words.

“I want him to live too, but that doesn’t mean I need to deal with that woman. Don’t you remember what she did? Why are you defending her?”

In Nathan’s eyes, there was nothing but hatred and disdain, piercing Anna like a dagger to her heart.

“You…” Anna was so upset that the words caught in her throat. Everything around her seemed to spin. Pointing a trembling finger at her grandson, the world went black, and she collapsed onto the sofa.

“Mom?” Filipo rushed to check on her.

Anna’s fainting caused panic among the family. Filipo held her hand and carried her to her bedroom.

“Call Rafael, quickly!”

It didn’t take long for Rafael, the family doctor, to arrive and examine Anna. After his evaluation, he concluded that she had suffered a mild heart attack due to her advanced age of seventy-eight and the stress of the situation. She needed to manage her emotions.

Filipo pulled Nathan aside, his face pale as he glared at his son. Without warning, he raised his hand, ready to strike him.

Just as Filipo was about to deliver the slap, Carla caught his hand.

“What are you doing? Isn’t the situation chaotic enough already?”

Filipo shook off his wife’s hand and, still furious, looked at Nathan.

“You’d better pray your grandmother recovers.”

When Anna woke up, everyone was gathered around her bed. Slowly opening her eyes, she realized they were all waiting for her to respond. Stella helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her back.

“Don’t worry, dear. I’m fine,” Anna said with a faint smile to Stella.

“Mom, are you sure you’re okay?” Filipo asked, his concern evident.

“I’m fine, son,” Anna reassured him before turning to Stella. “Ella, go check on Liam. See how he’s doing.”

Stella understood Anna’s intent—she wanted to speak privately with Nathan and his parents. Nodding, Stella got up and left the room.

As she passed Nathan, he stared at her. Stella chuckled bitterly before turning away and closing the door behind her.

When Stella entered Liam’s room, she smiled at the nanny.

“You can go. I’ll stay with Liam.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Liam Collins looked up at Stella, smiling shyly as he picked up the drawing book he had just set down.

“Mommy, look! I drew you. Does it look like you?”

Stella walked over, picked up the sketchbook, and examined the drawing carefully, nodding.

“It’s perfect.”

Emotion overwhelmed her as she pulled Liam into a hug and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t cry, Mommy!” Liam said, pressing his tiny hands against her face.

Stella nodded and took a deep breath. Just as she was about to speak, the door suddenly opened.

Nathan stood in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space as he looked at her.

“Stella, come outside. We need to talk.”

Liam noticed Nathan’s stern expression and clung tightly to Stella’s clothes, unwilling to let her go.

Stella smiled gently at Liam, holding his small hand.

“Liam, draw a little more, okay? I just need to talk for a moment.”

After stepping out, Stella sought the nanny to look after Liam before returning to her room. She knew Nathan would already be inside, waiting.

Nathan’s anger stemmed from his belief that Stella had told Anna about the surrogacy arrangement. Stella had no idea what had been discussed in Anna’s room, but it likely didn’t please Nathan.

Her heart pounded as she entered. Nathan stood near the window, a cigarette poised between his fingers, his sharp gaze fixed on her.

“Close the door,” he ordered. Stella obeyed but kept her distance.

“What happened today wasn’t my fault. I have no idea how your grandmother could have found out about it.”

The issue wasn’t hers, and she refused to take the blame.

“I didn’t say anything either. So why are you so defensive? Doesn’t that make you look more suspicious?” Nathan extinguished the cigarette with his fingers, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Think what you want!” Stella snapped, turning her head. It wasn’t her fault, and Nathan’s tendency to blame her for everything wasn’t new.

The tension in the room was suffocating. She placed her hand on the doorknob, ready to leave, but a large hand reached out to stop her.

Startled, she hadn’t noticed Nathan move beside her.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Nathan’s voice was low, carrying a hint of the tobacco he’d been smoking.

“I don’t think there’s anything worthwhile for us to discuss.”

His prejudice against her ran deep, and she regarded him as a stranger. Nothing good could come of their conversations.

Nathan’s grip on her hand tightened as he pulled her away from the door, pinning her between the solid wood and his chest.

His warm breath fanned across her face as she turned her head, avoiding his gaze. She could feel his fiery eyes burning with rage, and she didn’t dare look up.