Chapter 486
Chapter 486
Diana stared at the keys in her hand, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. This wasn't just an apartment; it was Stanley giving her a fortress of safety and a fresh start.
"Stanley," she looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, "why are you being so nice to me?"
It was a question she'd wanted to ask for a long time.
Stanley gazed at her, his eyes deep and unreadable. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "Because on that chaotic night, you weren't the only one dragged into this mess."
He paused, a hint of self-mockery and barely concealed pain in his voice.
"So, Diana," he stepped closer, gently wiping away the remaining tears from the corner of her eyes with a tenderness that seemed almost unreal, "this isn't charity. It's mutual salvation between allies. I help you break free from your chains, and you... you just need to stand in the sunlight."
What he didn't say was, seeing you in the sunlight is my salvation.
Diana's heart was struck by his words. Allies, salvation.
She realized she wasn't fighting alone.
She tightened her grip on the keys, the cold metal seeming to warm slightly. She nodded, her voice still a bit hoarse but clear.
"Okay, let's go see our new home."
That day, Diana didn't look back at her old apartment. The moving company Stanley had called only took her small suitcase. Everything else, along with the nightmares of the past, was left behind that closed door forever.
The car headed west, towards a place called "Sunset Pointe Residences."
Diana knew that Joanna's appearance today wasn't the end, just the beginning. The remnants of the Smith family and the rumors in society could become new troubles.
But she wasn't afraid anymore.
Because she was no longer alone. She had an ally to fight alongside and armor to protect herself.
And that armor's name was Stanley.
Soft music played in the car, and Diana leaned back in the passenger seat, feeling an unprecedented calm. The outcome didn't seem so important anymore.
"Stanley," she suddenly spoke, "how's Alex doing in there?"
She thought she would never care about that person again, but she couldn't help asking.
Stanley kept his eyes on the road, his tone as indifferent as if discussing something trivial, "Not well. I heard he was very arrogant when he first got in, made some enemies, and now he's been humbled. He cleans the entire cell block's toilets every day and only gets to eat leftovers."
Diana was silent. She couldn't picture it. The once arrogant, germophobic Alex now...
But she felt no sympathy, only a sense of complete release.
That was the price he had to pay.
"Don't think about him anymore." Stanley's voice brought her back to reality, "He's not worth it."
He pulled the car over, turned to look at her seriously. "Diana, your life shouldn't have his name in it anymore."
Diana met his gaze and nodded. "Okay."
Just then, Stanley's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, his brow furrowing slightly.
He answered, and after a few words, his expression darkened.
"What's wrong?" Diana asked.
Stanley was quiet for a few seconds, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "The incident that got us into this mess years ago, it wasn't just the Smith family behind it. There was another force. I thought I had cleaned it up, but it seems one slipped through the cracks."
His voice turned cold, "He knows I'm back, and he knows about you. Just now, he made a move on one of the Visconti family's projects in Europe."
Diana's heart tightened. She knew what this meant. The danger wasn't over. The enemy lurking in the shadows could come after her too.
"He's declaring war on me," Stanley's eyes turned sharp and dangerous, like a beast whose scales had been touched, "and warning me to stay away from you."
He turned to her, his gaze intense, "But he's made a mistake."
He covered her hand with his, holding it tightly, his palm warm and strong.
"Because you're not my weakness," his voice was low and firm, "you're my armor, and the only reason I must win this war."
Outside, the last rays of the sunset faded, and the city's neon lights began to shine, bright as a sea of stars.
Diana looked into his deep eyes, seeing her reflection and the starry sky outside. She knew a new storm was coming.
But this time, she would stand by his side and face it together.
Suddenly, she felt a release, like a taut string that had been pulled for years finally snapping at the word "over." Then came an endless sense of falling and complete darkness.
"Awake?"
A gentle yet slightly exasperated voice sounded beside her.
Diana turned her head and saw Kaitlyn sitting by the bed.
Kaitlyn was holding a small fruit knife, slowly peeling an apple, the peel forming a continuous spiral. Her movements were steady, but her eyes never left Diana's face.
"Aunt Kaitlyn," Diana's voice was dry and raspy, like sandpaper.
Kaitlyn put down the knife, picked up a cup of warm water, and inserted a straw, bringing it to Diana's lips. "Drink slowly."
The warm water soothed her throat, bringing a bit of relief. After a few sips, Diana felt more alive.
"I'm in the hospital again?" She looked at the IV in her hand, her tone flat, as if discussing something unrelated to herself.
"Yes," Kaitlyn resumed peeling the apple, her tone carrying a hint of reproach, "The doctor said your body is like fine china, looking good on the outside but full of invisible cracks, unable to withstand any more shocks."
Diana tugged at the corner of her mouth but said nothing. She knew her condition, her body weakened by mental strain and malnutrition, barely holding on. Now that the tension was gone, all the deficiencies had caught up with her.
"Those who hurt you have finally paid the price."
Kaitlyn sighed, cutting the peeled apple into small pieces and placing them in a glass bowl, then handing a piece to Diana with a silver fork, "But look at you, what have you done to yourself? The enemies are down, and the hero is lying flat too. What kind of victory is that?"
Diana was amused by her analogy, her lips curving slightly, but she didn't have the strength to laugh. She just took the fork and slowly chewed the sweet fruit.