Chapter 278

Chapter 278
Stella's POV

"Grace has Adam's brother's psychological diagnostic report," Eric said, his voice rising in disbelief. "Why wasn't I told about this earlier?"

Sam and I exchanged alert glances as Eric continued scrolling through the article, reading parts of it aloud. According to the report, Grace had just given a video interview to a major media outlet about an hour ago, in which she:

1. Explained her close relationship with Adam and his brother
2. Revealed that she had accompanied Adam's brother to psychological clinics multiple times during the year before his death
3. Stated that he suffered from severe depression, and that she personally prevented two suicide attempts
4. Presented psychological diagnoses from years ago, confirming his severe depression
5. Released all this information about an hour ago

"Public opinion is already starting to shift," Eric noted, scrolling through comments. "People are beginning to realize that Adam might not be responsible."

I felt my expression involuntarily tighten. I hadn't agreed to Grace's conditions when she approached me earlier, so why was she suddenly making this information public? What was her angle?

Glancing at Sam, I could see her face darkening too. She understood Grace's persistent feelings for Adam better than most.

"I had no idea my cousin had depression," Eric said softly, his usual bravado subdued by this discovery. "No one ever told me."

"This is good for Adam, right?" he continued, looking at our confusion. "It helps clear his name. So why do you both look like someone just died?"

"You wouldn't understand," Sam muttered, her eyes meeting mine in silent communication.

"Understand what?" Eric pressed, genuinely confused.

Sam sighed, then gently asked him, "Think about it, Eric. Besides helping Adam, what else does Grace's video accomplish?"

Eric frowned, thinking for a moment. His eyes suddenly widened in realization. "She... makes it seem like she and Cousin Adam have a special connection. And it looks like Adam owes her a favor."

"Exactly," I confirmed, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice. "She becomes the heroine of this story, while also reminding everyone of her close relationship with Adam."

Clever, Grace. Really clever.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in gold and pink, I sat on the porch swing, watching the changing colors. It had been an emotionally draining day, and I needed a moment of peace before facing whatever came next.

Sam had left about an hour ago, with Joseph arranging a car to take her home. Eric had retreated to his room, probably processing everything he'd just learned about his cousins.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed the sound of tires on gravel until a car door slammed shut. Moments later, strong arms wrapped around me from behind, and warm lips pressed against the sensitive skin of my neck, making me jump in surprise.

"Adam!" I gasped, my heart racing. "You scared me! Why didn't you say something?"

His low laugh vibrated against my back as he tightened his embrace, burying his face in the crook of my neck. The warmth of his body chased away the slight chill of the evening.

"You looked deep in thought," he murmured, his voice slightly muffled against my skin.

I turned in his embrace to study his face. Though as composed as ever, there was a darkness in his eyes that hadn't been there this morning.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly, reaching up to touch his cheek. "Everything's being resolved, isn't it? The stocks are stabilizing, and Grace's video should help clear your name. Shouldn't you be feeling better, not worse?"

Adam didn't answer, just pulled me closer, resting his chin on top of my head as we gazed together at the fading sunset.

By nightfall, we were in bed, the room lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Adam lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his profile sharp in the shadows. I curled beside him, watching the subtle changes in his expression as he processed whatever was troubling him.

"I didn't know," he finally said, his voice steady but unusually quiet. "I didn't know my brother had depression. Severe depression."

Despite his controlled tone, I could feel the guilt and self-recrimination radiating from him. Here was a man who prided himself on knowing everything, controlling everything, yet he had missed something so crucial about someone so close to him.

I moved closer, resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Adam, that's not your fault," I said softly. "People with depression, especially when they're determined to hide it, can be very good at concealing their condition from others."

Although if Grace knew and didn't tell anyone who could help look after him, that's another matter, I thought but didn't say aloud.

Adam's hand absently stroked my hair, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. I could almost see the thoughts racing behind his eyes, reevaluating memories, looking for signs he might have missed.

Suddenly remembering something, I sat up and reached for the bedside table. "Almost forgot," I said, producing an envelope, "Eric left this for you earlier."

Adam took the envelope with a slight frown. Opening it, he pulled out a piece of paper. On it was a childishly simple drawing—a circle with two dots for eyes and a curved line for a smile.

His mouth twitched involuntarily into a smile. He carefully folded the paper and placed it in the bedside drawer, a gesture that spoke volumes—despite his outward coolness toward Eric, he actually treasured this small gift from his cousin.

"Have you contacted Grace?" I asked, carefully watching his reaction.

Adam shook his head. "No need."

As if on cue, his phone buzzed on the bedside table, the screen lighting up to display an incoming call: Grace Davis.

Adam glanced at me, and I reached over to press the answer button, then activated the speakerphone. Whatever Grace had to say, I wanted to hear it.

"Adam?" Grace's voice filled the room, soft and concerned. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry I never told you about your brother's depression. I promised him I wouldn't tell, but... I couldn't stand by and watch you being falsely accused anymore."

I exchanged glances with Adam, silently mouthing: "She's feeling sorry for you!"

His lips curled into a small smile as he leaned over to kiss my lips lightly, then responded to Grace with a simple: "Noted."

"You..." Grace's voice faltered, "Adam, I hope everything is going well. I'm doing fine abroad too, just... feeling a bit lonely sometimes."

Real subtle, Grace.

"Thanks for this," Adam responded concisely.

This clearly wasn't the response Grace had been hoping for. After the call ended, I immediately sat up straight, unable to resist pointing out: "Grace was dropping hints, didn't you hear them?"

Adam raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused by my reaction.

"She said she's lonely abroad," I analyzed, "meaning she wants to come back. And saying she hopes your life is going well, she's showing how kind and gentle she is!"

"She can say what she wants," Adam replied calmly, with a touch of indifference in his tone.

Though the response was simple, I was satisfied with it. At least he understood what Grace was doing and was clearly unaffected by it.