Chapter 265: The Third Space

Stella Bluefield initially thought she was seeing things.

She rubbed her eyes and looked again, realizing she hadn't been mistaken.

A flower-selling girl had handed him a room card for a love hotel, and he actually accepted it.

He seemed quite pleased about it.

Lucas Firestone was humming a tune, feeling exceptionally cheerful.

"Hey Lucas, last time I invited you, you didn't show up. It's been ages since we last met."

"Oh, you mean last time? Ariana wasn't feeling well, and I couldn't leave."

"How about we hang out tonight?"

Stella asked tentatively.

"Tonight's not gonna work!" Lucas replied with a wide grin.

In all the time Stella had known him, she'd never seen him this happy.

Was he planning to meet someone else at the hotel?

But he already had Ariana Summer!

He even reserved the passenger seat for her, yet he was accepting invitations from strangers.

Growing up surrounded by men like these, Stella didn't understand it as a child, but she had learned a thing or two over the years.

In the world of wealthy circles, these young men often juggled multiple relationships, focusing on physical rather than emotional connections.

Could Lucas be that kind of person?

"Where are you headed tonight?" Stella asked.

"I have plans," Lucas replied casually.

"Keeping secrets from me?" she teased.

Lucas glanced at her through the rearview mirror, "It's my secret," he said with a smug smile.

Stella wasn't one to pry, so she let it go, but her mind was racing.

What if she told Ariana about this? Would they break up?

No, she shouldn't tell Ariana. She should tell Mom instead.

Her mom had been discussing with Dad whether Lucas was trustworthy, and they had even postponed his wedding with Ariana.

If Mom found out about this, the wedding might be called off.

Then she'd have a chance!

After all, she was just the adopted daughter, not as important as the biological one.

Stella was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the car had stopped until Lucas called her name several times.

She snapped back to reality.

"What happened?"

"We're at your place. What were you thinking about?"

"Oh!" Stella smiled awkwardly. "Do you want to come in for a bit?"

Lucas thought for a moment. "I'll pass."

Stella got out of the car, and Lucas drove off.

Watching his car disappear, Stella frowned deeply.

He must be hiding something if he doesn't even dare to step inside her house.

No, she had to tell her mom about this.

As soon as Stella walked through the door, she saw Evan and Ariana sitting on the couch, chatting and laughing.

Evan and Ariana both thought it was amazing how they ended up as siblings.

"Big brother!" Stella shouted as she ran over, throwing herself into Evan's arms. "Why did you come back all of a sudden? I've missed you so much!"

Ariana sat to the side, feeling a bit awkward.

She always envied how Stella could act so charmingly.

Evan gently patted Stella's back. "I brought you a gift."

"Really?" Stella was thrilled.

She noticed two gift boxes on the coffee table. One was already opened, so she immediately unwrapped the other one.

It was a crystal bracelet.

"What a beautiful bracelet!"

It was a peach-pink crystal bracelet.

Stella glanced at the other one, which was a sky-blue bracelet that had already been opened.

She quickly picked up the sky-blue one. "I like this one better."

She slipped it onto her wrist. "Does it look good?"

Evan and Ariana exchanged a glance.

The sky-blue bracelet was originally a gift from Evan to Ariana, and she had opened it earlier.

She really liked it herself.

Stella sensed the awkwardness in the air.

She realized that the bracelet probably belonged to Ariana, making the atmosphere a bit tense.

In her moment of excitement, she had forgotten that she was no longer the only little princess in the family.

"The pink one suits my style better," Stella murmured as she placed the bracelet back.

"It's okay, if you like that one, we can swap," Ariana offered first.

Stella did prefer that one.

"No worries, both are pretty, and I like them both. Didn't we agree before? I'm the big sister, so I'll let you have it."

Stella regretted her decision to be the big sister.

What's so great about being the older one? You always have to give in to others.

Being the younger one is better; everyone always gives in to you.

"I like them both, so you can choose whichever you want."

Stella picked up the pink one again, "I'll take this one."

Ariana didn't say anything more.

Evan stayed silent the whole time, knowing well how awkward the situation was for him.

One was his biological sister, whom he had owed for over twenty years.

The other was the sister he had watched grow up, cherished dearly.

Both were equally important to him.

He realized it wasn't just him; even their parents would find it hard to balance.

Stella slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. "Big brother, you guys chat. I've been running around all day and I'm a bit tired."

"Alright."

Stella didn't want to intrude on the siblings' reunion.

After she left, Evan quickly said, "Stella has been spoiled since she was little. It might be hard for her to accept this shift from being biological to adopted. It's quite a shock."

"I understand. I've been through it myself, so I can empathize. Don't worry, I'll try to avoid any conflicts."

Evan looked at Ariana with relief. "You don't have to try too hard. After all, you haven't done anything wrong. It's us who are being too demanding."

Ariana felt much better hearing this. Everyone understood the situation.

Meanwhile, Stella ran upstairs, her heart heavy with a bittersweet feeling.

Autumn was in the studio painting when Stella quietly walked in.

"Mom, what are you painting?"

"Just for fun. Your brother's back. Aren't you going to chat with him?" Autumn glanced at Stella.

"Ariana is talking to him. I went out today and I'm a bit tired." Stella pulled up a chair next to Autumn and leaned against her back. "Mom, there's something I'm not sure if I should tell you."

Autumn had been quite attentive to Stella lately, so she put down her brush.

"What is it, my dear princess? If something's bothering you, just tell me."

"Mom..." Stella hesitated for a moment. "I found out that Lucas is seeing someone else."

"What?"

"He met someone tonight at The Third Space, that...uh, themed hotel."

Autumn was instantly furious. "That rascal! How dare he? Ariana's only been back for a few days, and he's already messing around!"