Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Chapter 69

With a swoosh, Lucas hid the metal puzzle under Snowball’s belly.

Stella strolled over nonchalantly and plopped down on the floor, just like Lucas had done. She reached under Snowball’s belly and pulled out the puzzle, saying nothing as she started fiddling with it.

Her movements were relaxed, but her fingers danced nimbly. She did not even look down. Her eyes stayed fixed on Lucas the whole time.

Just half a minute later, she finished unlocking it. Lucas’s jaw dropped, and he started clapping excitedly.

“Grace is coming tomorrow,” Stella said, handing the puzzle back to Lucas. She leaned against the giant Snowball, whose chilly scales felt just like a built-in ice machine.

Lucas hung his head, looking all mopey.

“You don’t like it?” Stella caught onto his mood instantly. It was the first time since she’d arrived on the island that Lucas was so obviously not happy about something.

Lucas shook his head, but his fingers clung to the hem of Stella’s shirt. He edged closer to her, then even closer.

Slowly, he looked up, his chubby face peeking out. Those big puppy eyes stared up at her, all innocent. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging nonstop. It was enough to melt anyone’s heart.

He poked at his smartwatch. Big Ben said, “I want to sleep next to you tonight.”

‘Stella smells so good after her bath. I wish she’d hug me,’ Lucas thought.

“Then go take a bath,” Stella said lazily.

Without a word, Lucas dashed off to the bathroom. Big Ben, ever the smart guardian, switched to waterproof mode and powered down non-essential systems, trailing after him to keep an eye on his safety.

Stella and Snowball sprawled out lazily on the carpet as the sound of the shower drifted over.

Suddenly, Snowball tapped Stella with the tip of its tail and then shot up straight like a pole. It used its head to knock stuff off the bookshelf, sending it scattering all over the table and floor.

Snowball turned around, fixing her with those tiny red eyes. The tip of its white tail tapped the floor, as if urging her on.

Stella was at a loss for words. She’d almost forgotten that Snowball was a well-read snake.

She started picking up the stuff, but when her eyes happened to catch what was written on one of the papers, she paused for a second.

If she was right, all of this was homework Grace had left for Lucas. The stuff on it was way out of his league, with some parts just plain wrong, even kind of ridiculous.

18:49 Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 69

Seeing Stella had noticed, Snowball yawned wide and flopped back down, looping the tip of its tail around and around like it was bored out of its mind.

“Snowball,” Stella called, glancing down at the python.

At her voice, Snowball instantly stopped twisting itself into a pretzel and looked up at her.

“What happens if Lucas can’t finish all this?” Stella wondered, her eyes sharp and cold.

Snowball tilted its head, looking adorably confused. Then it slithered over to the wall, stood up tall like a kid in time-out, and slid back down to Stella, gesturing for her to hold out her hand.

Stella did, and Snowball gave her palm a quick tap with the tip of its tail.

Stella’s gaze turned frosty. She quietly put the stuff back, shot a look at the bathroom door, and then walked

out.

*****

In the study, Allan was sprawled out on the couch, wearing a face mask.

“Too bad they can only be detained for five days,” he muttered.

His black robe hung open as he patted his face through the mask. Allan, looking every bit the pampered prince, couldn’t help but laugh when he remembered Wendy’s messy hair.

Sebastian stayed silent. To him, those people were nothing but ants.

On the table in front of them, there was an admission notice from Edenbury Academy.

“Guardian,” Sebastian said.

“Huh? What did you say?” Allan blinked, not catching it.

“This admission notice was meant for the guardian,” Sebastian replied coolly, making Allan freeze for a second.

‘Wait, it was supposed to go to the guardian?’ Allan thought, a little thrown off. And he asked, “So what now?”

“Now I’ve got it,” Sebastian said, lifting his head. Those pretty, cold eyes locked onto Allan’s face.

Allan blinked. “So?”

With a totally blank face, Sebastian said, “I’m her guardian.” It was like he was just stating a fact.

Allan was floored. ‘Did my ears just glitch, or was Sebastian out of his mind? How did he sum that up as guardian?’ he thought.

“Dude, Stella’s 18. Once you hit 18, the whole guardian thing is over,” Allan said, feeling like he really needed to stop his friend from always trying to play dad.

18:49 Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 69

“There is a guardian,” Sebastian replied, his hauntingly handsome face turning cold.

Allan was totally stumped.

“It’s me,” Sebastian said flatly.

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Allan sank back onto the couch, arms folded over his chest. With the face mask still on, he looked perfectly calm. ‘Whatever, I’m not getting into this with him, he thought, choosing peace over pointless debate.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Allan called out.

The door swung open, and Stella spotted Allan lying there with his face mask on. ‘Huh, he actually has a skincare routine,’ she thought.

“Hey, Stella!” Allan, who’d just flopped down, instantly sat up, gripping the back of the leather couch.

“I’m here to ask Mr. Gray something,” Stella said, looking right at Sebastian. Without missing a beat, Sebastian just picked up a file and dropped it over the admission notice on the table.

Allan just stared, speechless.

“Ask away,” Sebastian said coolly.

“Where did you get Lucas’s tutor?” Stella asked.

“What’s going on?” Allan asked, his expression turning serious the moment he heard it was about Lucas.

Stella glanced at Allan’s face, smeared with that black-and-yellow seaweed mask, and couldn’t help but avert her gaze, feeling a bit awkward.

“Grandma arranged it,” Sebastian replied, his eyes

“Mrs. Gray?” Stella was taken aback by that answer.

cold.

‘Mrs. Gray would never hurt Lucas,’ Stella thought, keeping her doubts to herself.

“Mm.” Sebastian’s voice was low. “Anything wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m heading out,” Stella said, leaving the study.

“Why did Stella ask about the tutor out of the blue?” Allan mumbled, sprawled on the couch, sounding confused.

Sebastian stayed silent, fingers turning his black prayer beads, his expression serious and distant. The atmosphere around him grew colder by the second.

*****

Early the next morning, Grace drove herself to the dock.

18:49 Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 69

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Like always, she had to wait for someone from the island to come pick her up. But today, the car was running five minutes late.

Grace glanced at her watch, getting a little impatient. Luckily, a black luxury car finally rolled up next to her. She hopped in without missing a beat and whipped out her compact, fixing her makeup right away.

“Why are there two people picking me up today?” Grace asked.

Since Annette was the one who brought her in, the island drivers usually treated her like royalty. But today, these two hadn’t said a single word since she got in, which was really weird.

Jake, sitting shotgun, looked utterly defeated. He was convinced his whole career was about to go up in smoke, as someone unexpected was behind the wheel.

宙

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18:52 Mon, Jan 19