The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 306

Chapter 306 A Lifetime of Longing

Stella blinked, her eyelashes damp with tears.

She looked around the room–designer clothes, handbags, jewelry, antiques, paintings, and violins filled

every corner.

She turned her head to wipe her eyes, then noticed an envelope taped to the door. She walked over and tore it open.

Inside were a letter and a list.

[Stella, my daughter. If you’re reading this, don’t grieve. Your dad is finally reunited with your mom.

Every girl deserves happiness–and so do you.

I can’t protect you for a lifetime, but I know Elias will stay with you forever.

These gifts are your birthday presents, carefully chosen by me. You can take one each year, or all at once.

Stella, I want you to be happy. Don’t get stuck in sorrow.

You have your own life to live–and I know my daughter will live it brilliantly.

Don’t cry. It would break my heart up here.

-Love, Dad]

Stella stared up at the white ceiling, holding back her tears.

As she looked at the gifts, she could picture her dad’s face as he’d prepared each one.

She examined every item, checked them against the list, and left the storage room.

After a moment’s thought, she headed to the third floor.

“Mom!” Chloe and Liam ran over, taking her hands without a word.

Elias followed. “Dinner’s ready. Come eat something,” he said.

“I want to see what else Dad left for me,” Stella replied.

“Mom, can we come too?” Chloe looked up at her, her eyes still red and puffy.

Stella touched her daughter’s cheek gently. “Of course. Let’s see what surprise Grandpa has for us.”

They walked in together. When Elias pulled back the curtains, the setting sun streamed through the

windows.

The sight made them all stop in their tracks.

“Mom, what is this?” Chloe asked.

3:32 am

PP

Chapter 306 A Lifetime of Longing

Firiched

Besides paintings in glass cases, there were stacks of papers–preserved in a temperature–controlled room.

The stacks were enormous, almost overwhelming.

Each paper was rolled up and sealed in a large glass cabinet.

“The cabinet is about 20 feet long, 20 feet wide, and-” Liam looked up, estimating the dimensions.

Stella climbed a ladder and pulled out one of the rolls.

As she unrolled it, she frowned slightly–it was a painting of an ancient town.

Then she saw the note and understood.

[Nicole, today is the 3650th day since you disappeared. I miss you. I walked through the ancient town in Maplebrook, but left disappointed again.]

She unrolled another one–a painting of a city street corner.

[Nicole, today is the 5200th day. I still miss you. I heard someone call “Jasper” behind me, and my heart raced. But it was just a young couple. Another disappointment.]

Stella’s throat tightened. She fought to control her emotions, afraid her tears would ruin the precious paintings.

She picked up another roll–it showed a hospital corridor.

[My love, today is the 1896th day. My depression is getting worse. I hurt myself. Where are you? Do you still remember Jasper?]

The storage room was quiet, except for the sound of Stella unrolling paper.

The others watched her silently, their hearts filled with sympathy.

My dearest Nicole, today is the 6237th day. I can barely hold on. I think I’m hallucinating–I keep seeing you smile at me.]

Baby, today is the 999th day. Don’t be mad anymore. I’m sorry I broke my promise. Punish me any way you want, but please come back. I love you.]

[Honey, stop hiding. It’s been 389 days. Women are lining up to date me. Aren’t you jealous? Come back- I’ll do anything to make it right.]

All those years Nicole was missing, Jasper had painted every place he’d visited, pouring out his longing.

He’d never forgotten her–not for a single day.

He’d traveled across the country, through crowds and streets, just to find the love of his life.

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