Chapter 258

Chapter 258:

Stella deeply loved Adrian, and he relied on her just as much. Adrian was like a piece of driftwood she had found in a vast sea—

she clung to him tightly because he was her anchor. If she let go, she felt like she would drown.

When RK returned to the Kingston family home, he felt that life had been particularly difficult in the past few days. Stella’s return had brought him nothing but trouble—so much trouble that even he couldn’t fix it.

For the first time, he felt helpless. It seemed that, in the face of fate, everyone was insignificant. Yet, despite all this, his once cold, lifeless heart seemed to be beating again, albeit slowly.

Was this a revival? Or was it more appropriate to say that he had come back from the dead?

He didn’t know. But this strange new feeling made him realize that maybe his life wasn’t as unbearable as he thought.

Later that evening, as he was about to go to bed, he heard a knock at the door. When he opened it, Sophia, smelling strongly of alcohol, stumbled into his arms. RK grimaced but helped her to the sofa.

“How much did you drink?” RK asked, frowning as he set her down.

“Rene, you know what? I had a dream last night,” Sophia said, slurring her words. “I dreamed that you and Stella got married again... You had such a happy family, the four of you...”

“What’s wrong with you, Sophia? You get drunk and come here?” RK asked, irritation flashing across his face. He knew she had come to question him about Stella again, and his anger began to rise.

“No, Rene... I’m not that drunk,” Sophia said, lying back on the sofa, her eyes closed as tears began to stream down her face. “I know... You’ve changed. You’re not the same anymore. You don’t like me anymore...”

“What about you, Sophia? Haven’t you changed?” RK asked, sitting down, feeling strangely patient for the first time. “You used to be gentle and kind, but now? Do you think I don’t see what’s happening?”

“No, I didn’t change! I was just scared you’d leave me... scared you’d like Stella instead,” Sophia sobbed, her makeup smudging with her tears, making her look like a sad, broken clown.

Stay tuned galnov픢퓵퓼.co퓂 “Scared? Am I not worthy of your trust?” RK said with a wry smile. This was the first real conversation they’d had since his divorce from Stella. “To be honest, I don’t like you anymore, Sophia.”

Sophia’s tears fell even faster. “I knew it... You like Stella, don’t you?”

“It has nothing to do with Stella,” RK said, gazing out of the window into the night sky. “I don’t like being lied to. You manipulate people behind their backs, Sophia. You play tricks and hurt those around you.”

Sophia just cried harder, unable to refute his words.

“Still, I will marry you,” RK added.

Sophia’s eyes widened in shock. She stared at RK, unable to believe what she was hearing.

“But it will never be a happy marriage,” RK continued, his voice cold and detached. “It will be a cold, empty household. Adrian and Alia will be the only ones who stay here. Do you understand?”

Sophia understood all too well. If she married him, it would be in name only—just for the title of Mrs. Kingston. He would never love her or give her the family she longed for. She would never have the right to bear his children. Instead, her role would be limited to caring for Alia and Adrian, nothing more.

“And you? Can you accept that?” RK asked, his eyes emotionless as they bore into hers.

Sophia choked on her tears, unable to respond. She cried like a lost child.

A long time ago, RK had always been cruel and straightforward with others. He had a way of telling the most brutal truths without hesitation, especially to the women who were drawn to him.

Because of this, Sophia had never feared losing him. RK’s cold, unyielding demeanor hadn’t changed over the years. But now, it was she who had to endure it.

Sophia remained the same, and so did RK. The only difference now was that his feelings for her had changed, and there was no way to reverse that.

Once, he had married Stella for her sake. But now, he would marry her for the sake of Alia and Adrian. Yet it was a marriage that would hold no meaning. How could she accept such a fate?

It was ironic. Years ago, she had taken away Stella’s best years and had forced her into marrying RK. Now, the consequences of her actions were catching up with her. Was this retribution?

Why had it come to this? She had been the victim of that car accident back then. Why did her life take this turn? Why had Stella been the one to marry into the Kingston family instead of her, and why had everything ended like this?

As if reading her thoughts, RK spoke, “This has nothing to do with anyone else. Even if I hadn’t married Stella, I still wouldn’t love you, Sophia. This is between you and me. Don’t blame others for what’s happened.

Don’t take your anger out on anyone else. If you want to blame someone, blame me. If you want revenge, come after me.”

He was still trying to protect Stella. That much was clear.

Sophia, her face twisted with bitterness, stood from the sofa and staggered toward the door. Clutching her bag, she turned the handle, but before leaving, she looked back at RK with a smile that mirrored the one she used to give him in the past.

“I know, Rene,” Sophia whispered through her tears. “You don’t like me. You never have. You’ve always treated people you don’t care for this way.”

Without another word, she opened the door and ran out into the night, wiping away her tears.

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