CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: THIS HOME IS NO LONGER HERS

"Aiden Fordham, whatever decision you make, whoever you’re announcing it with, I don’t care."

Her voice was calm, as if she were stating something unrelated to her.

"But, please consider Grandpa’s health."

Aiden curled his lips, finding it somewhat laughable.

"Stella Grant, do you really think of yourself as the Eldest Young Madam of the Fordham Family? Or do you, like Grandpa, want me to issue some kind of clarification statement?"

His tone carried a kind of predetermined mockery.

Stella’s expression was indifferent as she looked at the man before her, frighteningly unfamiliar.

"No need, I don’t plan on entangling with you, I know my place."

A stone that couldn’t be warmed in three years, she didn’t want to keep warming it.

"That’s good, then. From today on, Fordham Family matters have nothing to do with you. Just worry about yourself."

He straightened up, walked up to her, forcing her to turn around.

"Tomorrow morning at nine, at the civil affairs bureau, don’t be late."

Stella looked up at him, those eyes that were always filled with a gentle smile were now icy and cold, without a ripple, let alone any sadness or reluctance.

"Okay."

One word, crisp and decisive.

The words Aiden had prepared suddenly got stuck in his throat.

He hadn’t expected her to be so decisive and straightforward.

Her reaction... was too calm.

So calm that it caught him off guard.

He had even imagined her possible reactions — entangling or demanding compensation.

Aiden was silent for a moment, then spoke again.

"I know you like Coregarde, I can leave it to you!"

The Coregarde at The Sovereign Estate, that was their place of warmth each month, the housekeeper told him that madam really liked lilies.

So, he had it filled with lilies.

And each variety was sought from all over the world, extremely precious; the lilies he grew could bloom in nine different colors!

Coregarde!

The name was like a knife, stabbing into Stella’s heart, but she clenched her fist, showing not the slightest hint of anger.

Wasn’t that the garden he tended specially for Corinne Kensington?

Who else was he trying to disgust?

But since he was so kind to offer it to her, it wasn’t good to refuse his good intentions.

She had to take good care of his flowers... Just as well, she needed to go back and settle some scores properly.

"Thank you! Then I’ll trouble President Fordham to move out!"

Stella said lightly, then turned to leave.

A few minutes later, she came down from upstairs with a small luggage bag from the master bedroom.

There were very few things inside, all her own. When she came to the Fordham Family, she only brought this much.

She didn’t take any jewelry that Grandpa gave her.

At least Aiden... never gave her anything.

She left decisively, not even glancing at anyone in the living room as she passed by.

This place, which had borne the identity of "Mrs. Fordham" for three years, seemed to her just a temporary abode.

It was time to leave.

No need to hold any more attachments.

When Stella walked out the main door, Keegan Lindsey hurried up to her.

"Madam, you’re leaving?"

"Yes!"

Keegan spoke again,

"Actually, President Fordham still has hope, it’s not a big deal, the company has many good products. You can wait patiently! After all, it takes time."

He felt that as a wife, she really should give her husband a bit of patience.

That was the greatest encouragement for him, he was referring to that three-minute matter.

Stella coldly replied, "Can’t wait. Tomorrow morning at nine, remember to remind your boss to go to the civil affairs bureau."

After saying this, she left!

Was this it, divorce?

Keegan took two steps to catch up, urgently saying, "Madam, actually, President Fordham still cares about you."

Stella paused, looking at him as if he were an alien.

What made him mistakenly think that Aiden cared about her?

Wasn’t his boss’s affection for Corinne Kensington already obvious enough? Or was he blind?

With that kind of insight, he wouldn’t even pass the probation period under her!

"I’ll show you a video."

Keegan opened the car door, took out a tablet, just about to play the champagne tower video.

A roar came from the second floor, "Keegan, get in here!"

"Coming!" Keegan responded, "Madam, could you wait for me a moment."

Stella didn’t have time to waste with him, she called a driver to take her home.

Aiden stood by the railing on the second floor, watching her silhouette disappear at the main gate.

The indescribable irritability in his heart grew heavier.

Returning to her single apartment.

Stella placed the luggage bag casually at the entrance.

The room was empty, with only her inside.

Late at night, she lay on the bed, but without any sense of sleepiness. Moonlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, casting a cold white streak.

She got up, walked to the desk, opened the bottom drawer.

Inside lay a [yellowed paper airplane].

She carefully took out the paper airplane, gently unfolded it.

The edges of the paper were already frayed, filled with dense dates.

The dates started 12 years ago, each one marking the days they met.

She picked up a pen, wrote today’s date next to the last one: XX year X month X day.

Her fingers brushed over the ink, a voice inside her quietly spoke.

Little brother, I’m sorry, this time... I have to stop.

Even though you don’t remember who I am till now, I’ve walked this road for a long time, still haven’t reached your side.

In the future, you have to be well, safe and smooth all the way.

As for me... I should also go find my own path.

That slight sourness rising up was quickly pressed down by her.

She carefully folded the paper airplane again, put it back in the drawer.

Long after, when fatigue surged, she finally fell into a deep sleep.

...

Leaving the old mansion, on a whim, Aiden drove to The Sovereign Estate.

The fragrance from Coregarde still permeated the entire night sky.

He poured one glass of strong liquor after another, until slightly intoxicated, before he headed upstairs.

He pushed open the master bedroom door, the massive double bed was covered with dark bedspread, cold and desolate.

He lay down, the mattress was soft, but he felt no warmth at all.

Closing his eyes, unwillingly, Stella’s image surfaced in his mind.

For three years, she was the one sharing pleasure with him here, even though they only saw each other twice a month.

Yet every time, he would exhaust her completely.

Her occasional blush of shyness.

The charming annoyance on her face when teased.

The serene profile when she was seriously reading.

These images, vividly, irritated him.

Was he actually... missing her a bit?

Feeling a bit sad, even?

Aiden abruptly sat up, rubbing his temples.

He must have had too much to drink.

How could he possibly have these feelings for that woman?

What he wanted was freedom! To be with Corinne Kensington openly.

The goal was achieved, wasn’t it?

Yet why did his heart feel so empty.

Staring into the pitch-black night outside the window, for the first time he began to doubt himself.