Chapter 271: I won't take a step back.

When Stella saw Ariana and Lucas together again, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened, she found it a bit odd.

Later that evening, Lucas shamelessly stayed for dinner at the Bluefield Family's home.

After dinner, he lingered for a while before finally leaving.

Curious, Stella knocked on Ariana's door.

"Ariana, did you talk to Lucas about it?"

Stella suspected that Ariana might be trying to keep things under wraps. Maybe she planned to wait until they were married, and then the Firestone Family wouldn't have much choice.

"I did."

"Was Lucas upset?"

"No, not at all. We've come to an agreement. If we want kids, we'll try our best. If not, we'll just accept whatever fate has in store."

Ariana smiled naturally.

Stella was taken aback for a moment. She had seen many marriages in wealthy families, but this was different.

She had never met anyone like Lucas.

Wasn't he bothered by her situation?

Not even a little?

Wasn't he afraid of gossip?

Wasn't he worried about not having kids?

"What's wrong, Stella?"

It took Stella a moment to respond, "Lucas is really good to you."

Ariana forced a smile, "Yeah, he really is."

Stella's smile felt stiff; she didn't know what else to say.

"It's getting late. You should get some rest. Even if there are no kids, it's not the end of the world."

Stella turned to leave, but Ariana spoke again.

"Stella, don't worry. I won't tell Mom and Dad about this."

Stella spun around quickly, "Tell them... what?"

"Tell them that you were the one who revealed the truth to me."

Stella shook her head urgently, "I didn't mean to! Ariana, I was just looking for some of my papers, I..."

"You don't need to explain. That medical record was supposed to be locked in the safe. You wanted me to see it on purpose."

"I..."

"Stella, you're so naive and kind-hearted, which is why you chose such childish tactics."

Ariana chuckled softly. Compared to Claire, Stella's methods were like child's play.

In a drama about palace intrigue, she probably wouldn't last two episodes.

"I know you're upset. Going from being the beloved little princess to finding out you're not really their daughter must be hard. You might be even more upset than I was because I was never a little princess.

Back then, I was heartbroken, so I can only imagine how you feel.

I also know you like Lucas, but what Lucas and I have been through is beyond your imagination. We've been through so much together, and I love him deeply, and he loves me too.

I can give way on everything else, but when it comes to Lucas, I won't back down."

Stella's eyes were red.

Who had ever dared to speak to her like this before?

She felt like someone who had done something wrong, being publicly called out and exposed!

It made her feel utterly embarrassed.

"I won't tell Mom and Dad about this. I'll pretend nothing happened. Stella, I consider you my sister, but if you insist on pushing me away, I won't hold back.

Think about the parents who have loved you since you were little. If we start fighting, who do you think will be the most heartbroken?"

Tears streamed down Stella's face.

Did she even need to ask?

One was her biological daughter, and the other was the daughter she had raised since childhood. The ones who were most heartbroken were Autumn and Matthew.

"Can you bear to see Mom and Dad so upset? They've been so good to you. Even when they found me, they didn't abandon you or treat you any differently.

They even asked me not to act too close to them, worried it might make you sad."

Stella flung open the door and ran out. She didn't encounter anyone as she rushed to her room, buried herself under the covers, and cried her heart out.

"Stella!" came an excited male voice. "I'm coming in."

Samuel walked over to the bed, having heard Stella's sobs.

He pulled back the covers and, sure enough, there was Stella, crying.

"Why are you crying? Who upset you?" Samuel asked as he lifted her up. Stella threw herself into his arms, crying even harder.

"Sam, is that really you?"

"It's me." Sam hugged Stella tightly, his heart aching for her.

Out of the three brothers, Sam was the one who doted on Stella the most.

Since Sam had been training with the sports team from a young age, he wasn't home much.

So whenever he returned, he would spoil Stella endlessly.

Unlike Evan or James, who were around Stella all the time and occasionally had little spats with her over trivial matters.

Especially James, who sometimes teased her to the point of tears.

But Sam never did.

The last time he messaged Stella, he sensed something was off with her mood.

But he didn't have the time to come back until now.

Having a new little sister in the family felt almost surreal to him.

His knowledge of Ariana was all second-hand, from what others had told him.

There had been quite a few rumors going around.

"Is Ariana giving you a hard time?" Sam asked.

"No, no, I'm just so happy you're back," Stella sniffled.

Sam wiped her tears away. "Don't worry, now that I'm back, no one's going to mess with you."

After chatting for a while, Stella went to take a shower.

As Sam passed by Ariana's room, he decided to knock on her door.

Ariana was surprised to see Sam standing there.

This was their first meeting.

Ariana smiled warmly, "You're back, Sam?"

She found it hard to call Evan and James "brother" because she knew them from before. But since she didn't know Sam, it was easier to say.

Sam simply let out a small huff and walked into the room.

"What did you say to Stella?"

Ariana's smile froze. Her brother wasn't here for a happy reunion; he was here to confront her.

"I didn't say anything."

"Nothing, and yet she cried like that? Stella's never been one to cry easily. Even last time, when I messaged her, I could tell she was upset. Why is it that she starts crying every time you come back? It's hard not to suspect you're bullying her."

Ariana found it amusing. "Did you see it or hear it? Do you have any proof?"

"You're good at arguing, I'll give you that. Stella's no match for you. Don't think Stella took your place. She was just a baby back then, with no choice in the matter. You can't blame her."

Ariana crossed her arms, looking at Samuel. She wasn't going to back down just because he was her brother.

"So who do you think I should blame?"

Samuel was momentarily at a loss for words, finally blurting out, "Blame your own bad luck."

"Yeah, it's my bad luck, your own sister, Ariana, with the bad luck."

Samuel stared in shock at Ariana, his own little sister.

How could he say she was unlucky?

She was just a baby back then!

Was that really something a brother should say?