Chapter 493
Chapter 493
On the other end of the phone, Edwin went silent, and Diana could almost picture him gritting his teeth in frustration and despair. After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out a bitter, "You win."
With that, he hung up, as if it had taken all his strength.
The car returned to silence.
The marriage certificate remained in front of Diana, held steadily by Stanley's long, clean fingers. He didn't waver at all.
Diana stayed silent, not reaching for it immediately.
Her marriage certificate with Alex had been a symbol of humiliation and confinement, a prison crafted by the Mellon family.
But what did this new certificate represent?
Salvation, or another high-stakes gamble?
She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips brushing the rose-patterned texture of the certificate, the delicate design sending a clear signal to her senses.
Stanley felt her touch and released his grip.
The certificate fell quietly into her palm, light yet feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds, making her fingertips turn pale.
She opened it, and on the first page, her name was listed alongside Stanley's.
"About Alex..." she finally spoke, her voice soft and slightly hoarse.
"I'll handle it," Stanley replied quickly, without hesitation. "I'll also take care of your aunt. From now on, you only need to think about one thing."
Diana looked up at him.
The car stopped at a red light. Stanley turned his head, his gaze falling on her face. His deep eyes held no calculation, no hidden agenda, just a calm, serene ocean.
"Decide what you want for dinner," he said.
Diana was stunned.
She had imagined countless possibilities. He might say, "Just trust me"; he might say, "Just live well"; he might say, "Leave everything to me." These grand, firm words, though reassuring, were also vague.
But he said, "Decide what you want for dinner."
Such an ordinary, almost trivial statement felt like a pebble unexpectedly thrown into the frozen lake of her heart, creating ripples.
The light turned green, and the car started moving again.
Stanley didn't look at her again, focusing on driving, as if his previous words had been a casual remark.
Diana gripped the marriage certificate tighter. She watched Stanley's profile, his hands on the steering wheel, his clear knuckles, his steady demeanor.
Nine years ago, Stanley had stormed into her life like a sudden tempest, turning everything upside down.
Now, he had re-entered her life with a mix of firmness and gentleness.
The car smoothly entered the city, the passing lights outside the window blurring into streaks of color in Diana's eyes.
She still held the new marriage certificate, feeling its slightly unreal warmth.
Stanley noticed her silence, stopped the car at a red light, and turned to her. His warm, broad hand covered hers, which was tightly clutching the certificate. He didn't say anything, just gently rubbed her hand with his thumb, a soothing gesture.
Diana's eyelashes trembled, but she didn't pull her hand away.
"What are you thinking about?" His deep voice was clear in the enclosed car.
"It's too fast," Diana said, looking at him. From City Hall to now, it had only been half an hour, yet her life had completely changed.
Stanley's gaze was deep, fixed on her. "Not too fast."
His words were like a pebble thrown into still water, encompassing years of suppressed grievances, unfulfilled desires, secret longings, and prolonged waiting, creating ripples.
Diana's heart tightened, and she looked away.
Yes.
The car finally stopped in front of the Phillips family mansion. This was where she and Kaitlyn lived, her only refuge for the past three years.
As she opened the door, Diana froze in the entryway.
The once elegant and sparse living room was now filled with various exquisite gift boxes. Rosewood chests, gilded lacquer boxes, ribboned gift boxes from top luxury brands, all neatly arranged, from antique collectibles to limited-edition jewelry, creating a display that exuded understated elegance and power.
On the coffee table in the center of the room was a stack of thick blue folders.
"What is this..." Diana changed her shoes and walked in, her steps hesitant.
Stanley followed her, his tone as casual as discussing the weather. "While we were getting the marriage certificate, I had Teddy send over the wedding gifts. Efficient, right?"
The efficiency was astonishing.