Stella forced herself to rally, playing with Keen.
However, not long after lunch, she felt herself growing drowsy again. It felt like she could fall asleep just by closing her eyes.
Noticing this, Keen asked with concern, "Mom, haven't you been sleeping well lately?"
Stella paused. "…That's right."
Keen said understandingly, "If you're not well-rested, Mom, you should go home early. If you have important things to do, you should do them. You can come find me when you're not busy anymore."
Stella felt a pang of shame.
It would be one thing if she actually had important business, but this was just because of what happened in the bedroom…
Stella had a vague suspicion of what was going on.
But she found it impossible to say a single word of blame toward Joshua.
Every time Keen had been in danger, Joshua had risked his life to save him.
She, of all people, had no right to criticize him.
And just as Laurel Quinn had said, she couldn't give him the same wholehearted devotion he gave her.
All she could do was give in without a word, just like now.
Haynes looked at Stella deeply. "Star, if you're tired, you should go home. We'll see you off whenever you decide to leave Novaris."
"I'm sorry," Stella said softly.
"Go on," Haynes replied. "There are people watching over you in the shadows, so I won't escort you."
Stella was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized the people Haynes was referring to must be Joshua's men.
After the last two incidents, Joshua would never allow another accident to happen.
Stella gave Keen a gentle hug. "Okay, then Mommy will be going."
As she left the amusement park and was about to call a car, she saw a tall, handsome figure standing at the entrance.
The entrance was crowded, but Joshua was so striking that several young women were taking pictures of him with their phones, their faces flushed with excitement.
After getting in the car, just as Stella fastened her seatbelt, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Mr. Burton, whom she hadn't seen in a while.
Stella immediately answered. "Mr. Burton?"
Mr. Burton's kind and gentle voice came from the other end.
"Stella, how have you been lately?"
"I'm doing well," Stella replied. "How has your health been?"
Mr. Burton joked, "Well, living another decade or two shouldn't be a problem."
Stella laughed along.
Given Mr. Burton's age, she had never once mentioned her disappearance to him, not wanting to cause him any worry.
After a bit of small talk, Mr. Burton suddenly said, "Stella, I'm actually calling to tell you some incredible news."

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