The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87 Frederick Welcomes His Sister

+5 Pearls

She understood what he was doing. Choosing this place meant he wanted her mother to witness this

moment.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly, and for once, her usually cool eyes held a flicker of warmth as she accepted the white tulips.

Footsteps approached–heavy, deliberate.

Stella and Elias both turned. Frederick walked toward them slowly, dressed in a perfectly pressed black suit, his hair combed back. He carried a bouquet of white roses, and sorrow seemed to cling to him like a second skin.

He raised his eyes–those gentle eyes that mirrored Stella’s own–and softened as they landed on her.

“I came to pay my respects to Aunt Nicole… if that’s alright with you, Stella… my little sister.”

Even though Elias had already told her, hearing it still sent a jolt through her chest.

“Of course.”

She stepped back slightly, giving him space.

That small movement, that simple answer–it made Frederick’s heart clench.

He’d guessed the truth, but having it confirmed now stirred both joy and grief in equal measure:

His eyes fixed on the photo on the headstone. Only the smile, the look in her eyes, still held traces of the aunt he remembered.

But on closer inspection, they weren’t quite the same. The smile wasn’t as warm as he remembered. The gaze wasn’t as gentle.

This person–so changed she was almost unrecognizable–was the one he’d missed for so many years.

“When did you find out? That your mother was my aunt?”

Stella didn’t hide it anymore. “The night I suggested running those tests, I went back and did a DNA comparison on my own.”

She pulled out her phone and handed it to him, showing the electronic results.

Frederick stared at the screen, his gaze so intense it could’ve burned through the glass.

“You didn’t say anything because you were afraid Grandfather couldn’t handle it.”

“That was part of it.”

Frederick looked at her carefully.

“I… I didn’t know if your family would accept me. I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

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Chapter 87 Frederick Welcomes His Sister

+5 Pearls

Frederick’s heart ached like needles were pricking it. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “You’re Aunt Nicole’s daughter. That makes you my sister–a Shaw. How could we not accept you?”

He bent down slightly, meeting her eyes at her level.

“I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner. I’m sorry you went through so much alone.”

She’d grown up without family, used to standing on her own, rarely receiving kindness from relatives.

But in that moment, something inside her frozen heart seemed to thaw. Her nose stung.

Frederick pulled her into a gentle hug, but his own heart sank like a stone.

The person he’d missed for so long–he could never throw himself into her arms again like he did as a child.

She was gone. All that remained was this cold headstone.

Nicole had been the only person Frederick could ever truly be soft with, the only one he could confide in growing up–the aunt who’d cared for him, cherished him. And now she was gone.

Frederick steadied himself. Then, without warning, he bowed. His voice cracked. “Aunt Nicole… it’s me. Frederick.”

He had so much he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.

In silence, he gazed at the headstone, grief washing over him.

“I’m grown now. I can take care of our sister. You don’t have to worry anymore… Rest easy.”

He bowed three times–a deep, final gesture of respect.

A breeze picked up, carrying the faint scent of flowers.

Warm sunlight enveloped them, lending a touch of softness even to the cold stone.

Back in Azure Peak City, news exploded across every social media platform.

“The trafficking victim known as Luna was revealed to be Nicole Shaw, the former musical prodigy of Azure Peak City’s elite.”

Within half an hour, comments had soared past ten million.

[@ClassicalMusicLover: Wait, Nicole Shaw? The one who won nationals at sixteen?]

[@TrueCrimeJunkie: This is beyond tragic. A wealthy heiress, kidnapped and held by some monster.]

Azure PeakCityGossip: I heard she was chained up. Starved. Beaten. The things they did to her…]

stereForCoffee: Am I the only one just finding out my idol was actually a Shaw? Like, one of the four

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Chapter 87 Frederick Welcomes His Sister

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