Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Ryan’s vicious stare didn’t escape Stella’s notice.

She lowered her eyes, letting her long lashes hide her emotions. Then she shot him a lazy, careless smile, making no effort to hide the bloodthirsty aura that was even stronger than Sebastian’s. She stared right back at Ryan, her defiance completely

unleashed.

Everyone had an instinct for danger, even a five-year-old. Ryan quickly looked away.

“He let the mastiffs out on purpose,” Stella drawled, sounding absolutely certain.

Sebastian’s expression remained blank, as if he’d known all along Jake’s jaw dropped, however. ‘Seriously? The kid’s only five. How can a five-year-old be that twisted?’ he thought.

Suddenly, Richard shouted, “Dad! Oh no!”

Staring at the raging fire that was destroying his lifelong home, Carlos clutched his chest, gasped for air, and fell backward. Chaos erupted once more.

That very day, news spread like wildfire through high society: Carlos had gone against Sebastian’s orders and brought his secret family back to Gray Manor, only for Sebastian to burn it all to the ground.

Carlos was so furious that he had a heart attack right then and there and was rushed to the hospital. Coincidentally, it was the same hospital where Annette was staying. The dramatic turn of events became the hottest gossip in their circles.

On the way back, Lucas was obviously sulking.

“We’re just letting them go like that?” Stella said, leaning her head on her hand, looking casual as ever. But she had a feeling that Sebastian’s real game was just beginning.

“For some people, death is the end. For me, it’s not,” Sebastian said, his face unreadable and his eyes dark. The prayer beads were back on his wrist, and he was back to his usual cold, arrogant self. His words were flat yet icy.

Lucas kept looking up, scribbling and erasing on his tablet, a little storm cloud over his head. [Is it because of me that Great- Grandpa doesn’t like Uncle Sebastian?] he wrote, followed by a drawing of a crying boy.

“No.” Sebastian said, his voice unusually gentle. He reached out his cold hand and gave Lucas’s head a soft pat.

Lucas kept his head down, but silent tears began to streak down his soft cheeks, one after another.

His heartbroken little face made the already chilled car interior feel utterly freezing.

Stella reached out and pulled the sobbing kid into her arms. He was just small, shaking all over as he cried, his face buried in her neck, his hands clutching her white shirt like he was afraid she’d disappear.

He cried himself to exhaustion and finally fell asleep in her arms peaceful and trusting as a kitten.

*****

On Sandridge Island, Snowball was hanging straight as a board from a tree, playing dead. Meanwhile, Allan, dressed in floral swim trunks, chattered nonstop.

Snowball was exhausted and just wanted to drop dead. It hoped Allan could pick on someone else.

Suddenly, Snowball noticed something and lifted its head from the tree. Sure enough, it spotted the group getting out of the

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car. In an instant, Snowball came back to life and slithered down the tree with renewed energy.

“My little sweetheart!” Allan called out, whipping off his sunglasses and bounding happily toward where the car had just pulled up.

The next second, his handsome face turned stormy. “Who made Lucas cry?”

When he saw Lucas in Stella’s arms, his eyes swollen from crying, Allan’s playful vibe disappeared in a flash. A fierce, protective energy radiated from him, and he looked ready to tear someone apart.

Lucas, who hadn’t really slept well, was jolted awake by Allan’s loud voice. Lucas rubbed his eyes, still looking listless. Snowball’s heart ached for him.

“Who was it? Tell me,” Allan demanded, looking at Sebastian. ‘Whoever made Lucas cry is asking for trouble. I’m gonna skin them alive, Allan thought.

Lucas tugged at Stella’s sleeve, his eyes reading, “Dirty. I want a bath.”

“I’ll take him.” Sebastian said, his voice calm and steady as he reached out to Stella. Lucas tilted his head, his hands still clinging tightly to Stella’s neck, his big eyes full of hesitation.

“You’re a boy,” Sebastian reminded him. That finally made Lucas give in, though he still clung to Stella stubbornly.

Allan glanced from Sebastian to Stella. “Lucas wants Stella to wait outside during his bath.”

Lucas, who usually ignored Allan, nodded repeatedly without hesitation this time, his eyes sparkling with hopeful, irresistible light. Allan was utterly charmed.

Stella was left speechless, staring at the scene in front of her: one big guy, one little one, and a giant python all watched her with identical “please, please, please” looks.

Snowball even rested his large head on her shoulder, nuzzling her earnestly in imitation of some TV drama.

“Mr. Gray, you don’t mind, right?” Stella asked. ‘Me just waiting outside while they take a bath? This is kinda weird, she thought.

“No,” Sebastian replied, his eyes deep and impossible to read. His answer immediately set off Allan’s warning bells, and he shot Stella a deeply meaningful look.

Everyone knew Sebastian was a peculiar man, full of quirks. Even before the incident back then, he was always the weirdest one out of the three, and afterward, he only got worse.

His notorious cleanliness and aversion to women totally matched those black prayer beads he always wore, like he was living above all the usual temptations. But Stella seemed to be the exception.

In the bedroom, Stella stood outside the bathroom with her hands in her pockets. Her white shirt made her look all sweet and innocent, her long hair flowing down her back like silk.

With her usual dangerous edge softened, she projected an unexpected sense of calm.

The sound of running water stopped, and the bathroom door opened. A crisp scent of body wash drifted out. “Stella,” Sebastian called, his voice low and a bit hoarse.

Stella turned lazily toward the sound, but then paused mid-movement, caught off guard.

Sebastian’s black shirt was drenched, clinging to him, making him even more eye-catching than if he wore nothing. Meanwhile, Lucas was swaddled securely in a towel, his face soft and adorably innocent.

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Chapter 30

Stella reached out and took Lucas. He was still a little gloomy, clutching a little yellow rubber duck. He let her dress him obediently and then tilted his head up to give her a coaxing, hopeful smile.

“Lucas,” Stella said, gently pinching his little mouth into a shape like the duck’s flat bill. “You know, sometimes, it doesn’t matter if other people like you.”

Lucas sat quietly on Sebastian’s big black bed, looking like a cute delicate porcelain doll. After a moment’s hesitation, he started doodling on his tablet.

He held up the tablet, showing a cartoon of a little boy looking sal and dejected, after being shooed away by everyone everywhere he went.

Stella said gently, “You’re our little lucky star, definitely not a jins

As soon as Lucas heard that, his spirit lifted immediately, his eyes regaining their brilliant sparkle. He was adorable beyond words.

Sebastian emerged from the bathroom just in time to catch this warm moment.

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