Chapter 494

Chapter 494

Diana walked over to the coffee table, her fingertips lightly brushing the top folder before opening it.

The first page revealed the deed to a penthouse in the prime downtown area, with her name boldly listed as the owner. Her breath caught as she turned to the next page. The second document was proof of ownership for a private island overseas. The third was a transfer agreement for five percent of the Visconti Group's shares. The fourth was the establishment of a charitable foundation in her name...

Each page felt like a weight on her shoulders.

Her hands began to tremble slightly. This wasn't just a wedding gift; it was like placing a mountain of gold and silver right in front of her in the most direct, undeniable way.

Years ago, she had fallen from grace, becoming the laughingstock of the elite circles, expelled from the Mellon family, imprisoned by Alex, with everyone saying she was worthless.

Now, Stanley had returned, using this almost domineering gesture to declare her worth to the world.

Diana slowly closed the folder and looked up, her gaze complex as she stared at Stanley.

Stanley met her eyes, his deep gaze devoid of any arrogance, only a calm certainty. "These are just material things," he said, walking over to her and wrapping her cool fingers in his warm palm. "I just want everyone to know what kind of dignity my wife, Mrs. Stanley, should have."

He wanted not just her, but her dignity. He wanted to reclaim the respect that had been trampled into the mud, clean it up, and elevate it to the highest point.

"What's going on here?"

A gentle, smiling voice came from the kitchen doorway.

Diana turned to see Kaitlyn carrying a plate of sliced fruit. She was dressed in simple, elegant home clothes, her demeanor gentle and refined, with eyes that mirrored Diana's, holding a hidden clarity and resilience.

Kaitlyn's gaze swept around the living room, finally landing on their intertwined hands and the marriage certificate beside Diana, her smile growing more pronounced.

She placed the fruit plate on a side cabinet and walked over to the coffee table, picking up a document with exaggerated curiosity. "This is quite the display."

She looked at Stanley, her eyes full of teasing from someone who had been through it all. "It’s clear that Mr. Visconti really wants this title."

Her words instantly relaxed the tense atmosphere, revealing the subtle emotions between the two.

Diana's cheeks flushed slightly, and she coughed awkwardly.

Kaitlyn put down the document, her gaze on Stanley now carrying the scrutiny and affection of a mother-in-law. "Stanley, such a big event, and you didn’t give us a heads-up. We, the Phillips family, haven’t even had time to prepare our gratitude gift."

Her words were polite but also a statement. The Phillips family might not be as powerful as the Visconti family, but they were a respected, scholarly family with deep roots, and they would not skimp on wedding traditions.

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Stanley's gaze remained tenderly fixed on Diana. Hearing Kaitlyn's words, he finally turned to her, nodding slightly, his tone more solemn than ever.

"Mrs. Phillips, no need to prepare anything."

He paused, tightening his grip on Diana's hand, his voice clear and resonant.

"Diana alone is enough."

Those few words hit Diana like a ton of bricks.

Bitterness, shock, and an indescribable warmth surged to her eyes. She quickly lowered her head, biting her lip hard to keep the moisture from turning into tears.

Finally, there was someone in this world.

He had crossed the years, brushed aside all rumors, and treated her like a treasure. He told her that she herself was the best wedding gift in the world, unmatched by anything else.

Kaitlyn was momentarily stunned, then a satisfied smile spread across her face. She stepped forward, affectionately patting Stanley's arm, her eyes filled with undisguised approval.

"Good, good child," she said twice. "Then I’ll take it seriously. From now on, our Diana is completely in your hands."

"Rest assured," Stanley promised solemnly, his hand never letting go of Diana's.

The warm yellow light from the ceiling poured down, casting a gentle glow over the room and the three figures. The outside world’s storms and troubles seemed completely shut out by this door.

Diana felt the strength in her hand, a steady, undeniable force. She finally looked up, her eyes still red but clearer than ever.

She looked at Stanley, at Kaitlyn's genuine smile, and the thick ice that had encased her heart for years finally cracked, letting in a ray of warm sunlight.

She turned her hand, gripping Stanley's hand firmly.

Everything was about to start anew.

A night without dreams.

Her consciousness seemed to rise from the depths of the ocean, and the first thing Diana sensed was not light, but warmth.

A solid, burning heat source pressed against her back, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly.

She didn’t move, even holding her breath, greedily savoring this long-lost sense of security.

The heavy curtains had been carefully left open just a crack, allowing the soft morning light to slice through the darkness, outlining the unfamiliar yet comforting room.

The air no longer carried the cold, pungent smell of disinfectant that had haunted her for over a thousand days and nights.

Instead, it was filled with the fresh scent of sunlight on fine fabrics, mixed with Stanley's unique, clean cedar fragrance.

This scent finally gave her heart a place to rest.

Diana barely moved her toes, and the man behind her instantly sensed it.

The iron arm tightened, pulling her deeper into his warm chest, and a hot, branded kiss landed precisely on the sensitive spot on her neck.

A tingling electric current spread from that point throughout her body.

A deep, magnetic voice, husky and sexy from just waking up, almost brushed against her ear, vibrating her eardrum.

"Awake?"

Diana's body instinctively stiffened, a residual effect from countless times waking up from nightmares.

But then, that stiffness melted away in the warmth of his embrace.

She slowly turned around, unguardedly meeting a pair of eyes as deep as the night sky.