Chapter 33

Stella's POV

"Come closer. dear." Her voice carried that perfect mix of warmth and authority. "I missed you so much honey.

I was so excited but thought of Adam was still here. I glanced at him, but his face remained carefully neutral as he guided me forward with a gentle hand on my lower back.

"Mrs. Lancaster,I-"I began, but she cut me off with a warm laugh that seemed to brighten the entire terrace.

"Oh no, that won't do at all!" She reached for my hands,her grip surprisingly strong. "You're married to my Adam now.You must call me Mom!"

Something in my chest tightened at the eager hope in her eyes.I forced a smile, trying to hide my confusion. "Of course...Mom."

"Come, sit with me." She patted the chair beside her."Tell me everything about your marriage. How is he treating you? Is he being romantic enough? Adam can be so cold sometimes - just Jike his father."I saw Adam's jaw ticked at the mention of William, but he remained silent. I saw Her smile was radiant but somehow fragile."He's..." I scrambled for words that wouldn't be lies but wouldn't upset her either. "He's very attentive."

"Attentive?" She leaned forward conspiratorially. Her eyes narrowed at Adam. "You better be treating her well. A girl like this-how many prominent families were lining up to court her? You'll end up alone forever if you don't treasure her properly!"

"Mom." Adam's voice held a warning, but she ignored him completely.

"Don't 'Mom' me in that tone!" She wagged a finger at him. "I know you, always so focused on work. When was the last time you took her dancing? Or surprised her with flowers?"

I couldn't help but smile at her motherly scolding, even as my mind raced with questions. Why had everyone believed she was dead? Why was she here in this facility? What other secrets was Adam keeping?

"Look at her- so beautiful, so elegant! And saving you from that accident..." She turned back to me. "You must be exhausted,dealing with my stubborn son all day."

I felt my face heat. "Well, sometimes it can be... tiring."Her eyes lit up with something that looked disturbingly like mischief. "Tiring? Oh my! Adam, you should let your wife rest more at night!"Heat flooded my face as I realized what she was implying.Behind me. I swore I heard Adam make a strangled sound.

"Mom." His voice was strained. "Perhaps we should discuss something else."

"Why? It's perfectly natural!" She patted my hand sympathetically. "Don't worry, dear. The exhaustion is normal at first. Though you really should pace yourself better. Adam.The poor girl looks tired!"

I wanted to sink through the floor. "That's not... we haven't..."

"Oh. you don't need to be shy with me!" She leaned closer. her voice dropping to a stage whisper. "When William and I were first married..."

"Mrs. Lancaster." A nurse appeared with perfect timing.carrying a small tray. "It's time for your medication."

Irena's entire demeanor changed in an instant. The warmth vanished from her eyes. replaced by something wild and frightened."No." She crossed her arms like a petulant child. "I don't need those. I'm perfectly fine today - look how well I'm doing! Tell him, Stella. Tell himI don't need them.""Mrs. Lancaster-" The nurse started.-I suna mob, Woh ome swcift mooredmemt. she kmocked ahe trak вwcx_ Phlls simtoened ωcπoss the πaπbbe bemTはce I ncomn taよe chheom, Doon wmoin WhiMbana cocmers to see mne WWhene is he? Wby Giccsim'h le xrsin cmxapoue2.

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Exerything happened so fast after that. Nurses appeared froans momcthere. Actum's arm shor out, palling me back as his mosher troed to grab snoeching shamp froon the tea tray.

”yWīlliam!' She was sobbing now. fighting against the murses witho tried to restrain her. "I can be better! I'll be perfect.just pbease_--pbease come bock..."

A doctor appeared with a syringte. and within moments. Irena's struggles began to weaken.

"I'll be good," she mumbled as they helped hor to her feet. "Tell William I'll be good..."

\-

The drive back to the city was silent. I stared out the window.trying to process everything I'd witnessed. The gardens of the facilry gave way co highway scenery, but I baraly noticad. God.what kind of twisted family drama did I marry into?

"Mrs. Lancaster." Adam's voice carried that dangerous edge that always made my pulse jump. "You're thinking too loud."

Easy for you to say. Mr. Ice Prince. I thought sourly. Some of us actually process emotions instead of pretending they don't exist. I turned from the window to study his profile.

"Why did the Lancasters spread rumors about her death?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "She is clearly still alive.so why-"

"Curiosity killed the cat. Mrs. Lancaster." His voice could have frozen hell itself. "Some questions are better left unasked."

And satisfaction brought it back." I couldn't quite keep the challenge from my voice. "She's my mother-in-law now. Don't I have the right to know?"

The temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees.For a moment, neither of us spoke.

"She has bipolar disorder." Adam's voice cut through my thoughts. "Exacerbated by my father's... treatment of her."I turned to study his profile. He was grinding his teeth."How long?"The symptoms started when I was young." His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. "Father's affairs even make her condition worse."

"So why..."

"What if," his voice dropped dangerously low, "those rumors came from within the family itself?"

The implication hit me like a physical blo. "That's...that's horrible. A woman like her deserves better than to be erased like that."

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.-"Better than being the subject of endless society gossip about her condition."

I wanted to reach for his hand, offer some comfort, but something in his posture warned against it."Mr..."

The car swerved suddenly, pulling onto a scenic overlook.Adam killed the engine and turned to face me, his eyes dangerous.

"I'm sorry." The words felt inadequate. "I shouldn't have-"

"No." His hand came up to trace my jawline, the gesture at odds with the darkness in his eyes."You shouldn't have. But you did. Just like you shouldn't have married into this family, but here you are."YOU-""My mother likes you." His thumb brushed my bottom lip.making my breath catch. "She hasn't liked anyone since before the illness took hold. Do you know what that means?"

I shook my head slightly, afraid to break whatever spell had him talking so openly.

′′It means you're stuck with us now." His smile held no humor."Welcome to the family, Mrs. Lancaster. God help you." His gaze locked on mine making my breath nearly stop.

Ma heart racing, damn, how charming he is!