Chapter 21
“Aargh!” Julian cried in pain.
He covered his injured left eye with one hand. The blood pouring out of the wound stained half of his face red.
However, Ariana showed no signs of fear or remorse. Instead, she burst out laughing. Her laughing voice was shrill and unpleasant. For a moment, she looked like an evil spirit that had crawled out of the underworld.
“You should thank me, Julian. You have no use for your eyes anyway. Someone who’s as blind as you can’t even tell who’s the person that loves you the most! No…”
Suddenly, Ariana stopped laughing. It was because Julian had seized her by the throat.
There was still bleeding in his left eye. On the other hand, the veins in his right eye could be seen clearly.
Julian was burning with rage and resentment. He kept a tight grip around Ariana’s neck and dragged her to the edge of the rooftop.
Ariana would fall to her death if Julian were to let go now.
She finally started feeling afraid. She was shivering and crying miserably. Her once pretty face looked sad and pathetic at the moment.
Ariana shook her head vigorously since she could not utter a word.
Taking in Ariana’s pitiable state, Julian, who was set on punishing her, gradually softened toward her.
He recalled how he dared not tell his parents after having a bad fall. Back then, Ariana had led him to her house and kindly helped bandage his wound. Julian also thought about how Ariana had knelt and begged Christine desperately so that she would approve of their relationship on the day Ariana was met with the car accident and found out she could no longer conceive.
Also, Julian was reminded of the day he had planned on repaying the family of the patient who donated their corneas to him for their kindness. Yet, he was bewitched after seeing Stella’s alluring figure and decided to make her sign the contract instead.
Frankly, Ariana did love him. It was also true that Julian had betrayed her love.
Still, what right did he have to punish Ariana, who had loved him for more than 20 years?
Just as he was going to move Ariana to safety, a few screws securing the suspended board came loose. The board dropped to the ground with a deafening crash.
Julian’s heart missed a beat when he heard the noise. He thought something bad had happened to Stella and subconsciously let go of his hand.
Julian heard a shrill scream the next instant. When he turned back around, he saw that Ariana was lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
“Ariana!” Julian called out in a cracked voice. He was so shaken and devastated that he fainted and dropped to the floor.
Ariana had died on the spot. Julian was charged with murder and sentenced to ten years in prison.
On the day Julian was sent to prison, Stella visited him. He sat opposite her behind a layer of thick, bulletproof glass.
Julian’s hair had been completely shaved off. He’d also lost his left eye. He looked sad and miserable. There was no trace of his old prideful self.
julian lifted his head when he saw Stella. Tears streamed from his cloudy right eye. He sobbed silently.
As she watched him cry, Stella let out a deep sigh internally.
She said in a soft voice, “Mrs. Chapman fainted because she was too busy handling the issues related to you. I already sent her to a nursing home. You don’t have to worry about her.
“For Ariana’s funeral, I prepared a bouquet for her on your behalf. After all, you didn’t really mean for something like that to happen to her.”
Julian wiped off his tears and bowed to Stella several times. His voice was rough. “Thank you, and I’m sorry.”
Stella shook her head, got up, and left the room. She only did these things since Julian had indeed offered a helping hand when she needed it the most. Despite it being a questionable method…
When she got home, Stella received the last gift from Anthony. It was a gift to celebrate her 27th birthday.
It was a bouquet of intricately carved crystal roses. There were 99 of these roses.
Anthony was a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head. “I started learning how to carve pretty last–minute. I can’t carve that well, so I decided to make
up by making a lot of them.”
No, you did a really good job. I like it a lot. Anthony, I love you.”
The stars shone brightly in the night sky that day. The faint light coming from the stars fell on the couple, whose bodies were pressed against each other on the bed. It was as if the stars were sharing their blessings with the pair of lovers.
It was Anthony’s first time being in bed with a woman. He was so persistent and passionate that the two of them finally went to sleep at dawn.
A few days later, they visited Ethan’s grave and brought him a crystal rose. As they held each other’s hands, the couple asked for Ethan’s blessings.
The sky was clearing up after a shower, and a rainbow appeared. Suddenly, Anthony felt this warm feeling in his chest. He could tell that Ethan had
approved of their relationship.
Later on, Anthony took over the family business. With Stella’s help, their business flourished and expanded.
Roxanne and Anthony’s stepfather approved of the marriage as well. They chose a suitable date and held a lavish wedding.
Countless fireworks exploded in the air. Several birds could be seen gliding through the blue sky.
With everyone clapping and cheering them on, Anthony and Stella made a vow to stay by each other’s side forever. Then, they hugged and shared a kiss. From that point onward, they led a happy, peaceful life.
