The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76 Jasper’s Lonely Vigil

Vincent’s eyes went wide, his pupils contracting sharply. For a second, it looked like he couldn’t catch his breath.

“Grandpa.”

Frederick was at his side in an instant, helping steady him.

“Someone call the doctor.”

Before anyone could move, Vincent waved him off. “I’m fine. Don’t.”

“I’ll make sure he stops coming.”

Frederick signaled the butler, then walked out to where Jasper was waiting. His face gave nothing away.

“Don’t come back.”

“How is he?”

“What happens in this house isn’t your concern.”

“Frederick-”

Jasper reached out, but Frederick stepped back before he could make contact.

Something flickered in his eyes. Disappointment, maybe. Back when he’d been with Nicole, he used to bring Frederick and Kenneth along sometimes. They’d even called him Uncle.

Those days felt like another lifetime now. He wasn’t sure he’d ever feel anything like that again.

“Go home. He doesn’t want to see you. Every time you show up, it just makes things worse.”

Frederick turned and walked back inside. The door closed behind him. He didn’t look back.

Jasper stood there, eyes fixed on the entrance.

I’m here. Nicole.

Back then, every time this door opened, you’d come running out. Always smiling. Always happy.

Now I could wait forever and you’d never walk through it again.

He tilted his head back, staring at the sky. A bitter smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.

*****

Upstairs, Frederick found his grandfather sitting up in bed, the medicine already kicked in.

“You okay?”

9:48 am PP PP.

pppp

Chapter 76 Jasper’s Lonely Vigil

“I’m fine.”

Vincent let out a quiet laugh, more to himself than anyone else.

Getting old. Imagining things.

For a second there, he’d actually wondered if that mystery doctor–Dr. Shaw–might somehow be connected. If maybe she was Nicole and Jasper’s kid.

“Speaking of Dr. Shaw-”

He stopped himself.

Frederick waited. “What about her?”

“Nothing. Just… she’s a Shaw, same as us.”

“She’s coming tomorrow for your treatment, right?”

“She is.”

“Get some rest.”

Vincent nodded, settling back against the pillows. But his mind was still turning.

*****

+5 Pearls

At nine o’clock, the skyline of buildings was lit up like it never had been before.

Cross Tower blazed with light–Elias‘ declaration, spelled out in giant letters across the building’s face.

“Stella, they say you’ve been pretending to be mine. If only.”

“Elias‘ dream? Her.”

“Elias Loves Stella.”

“Consider this my official notice. I’m coming for you.”

The lights alone would’ve been enough to send the internet into a meltdown. Then the fireworks started.

“Oh my God. Everyone was waiting for her to get dragged, and instead we got a full–blown confession.”

“That’s Elias Cross. The guy’s got it all–money, looks, connections–and he’s out here chasing a girl like a normal person. I figured he’d just snap his fingers and have whoever he wanted.”

“Wait, are those fireworks shaped like flowers? I’ve never seen that before.”

“There were rings too. And candy. This is next level.”

“Only guys who can’t get a girl like Stella talk trash about her. The ones who actually want her don’t care where she’s been.”

):48 am PPPP

Chapter 76 Jasper’s Lonely Vigil

“Two hours of this. If anyone’s planning to propose, now’s your chance.

“It’s beautiful. Say yes, Stella!”

“Yeah, say yes!”

“Say yes!”

+5 Pearls

The crowd worked itself up even though neither of the people involved was anywhere nearby. Someone filmed it, posted it, and within minutes the chants were everywhere online.

With Elias going this hard, the trolls and gossip accounts that had spent the last few days dragging Stella scrambled to delete everything. Nobody wanted to find out what happened when you got on his bad side.

From her balcony, Stella had the best view in the city.

The fireworks lifted something in her chest–a weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying.

The media outlets that had twisted her name for clicks. The anonymous accounts that had turned her into a punchline. He’d handled all of it.

She’d noticed. The quiet things he did, the way he showed up without making a scene. She’d noticed all of it.

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