Chapter 303: Nothing More Than a Tiny Bug

After losing his memory and sight, Nathaniel's temperament grew even more irritable. Except for Cecilia, he showed no one else any kindness.

Whenever Elena considered Nathaniel's earlier treatment of her, she felt anxious. "How do we get him to accept others?" she asked.

Mason hesitated. "Aside from his involvement with Stella, Mr. Rainsworth was married to Cecilia. There were no other women in his life."

Nathaniel had always prioritized his career; love and romance held little interest for him. If Mason hadn't mentioned Stella, Elena would have forgotten about her.

"Where is Stella now?" Elena inquired.

Choking back emotion, Mason replied, "Tudela Psychiatric Hospital."

Clad in a patient's gown, Stella sat in the director's office at Tudela Psychiatric Hospital, her hair disheveled, her gaze vacant. A flicker of fear crossed her eyes when she saw Elena. Assuming Elena sought to blame her, Stella stammered, "I'm sorry! It wasn't intentional! I promise I won't do it again! I'm sorry..."

Elena was taken aback. "How did you end up like this?"

Stella remained silent; a recent encounter with Zachary had been difficult. Feigning insanity had been the only way to avoid his wrath.

Elena sighed, turning to the obsequious director. "It seems I've made a fruitless trip. She's truly lost her mind."

As Elena prepared to leave, Stella, unwilling to be confined with other patients, rushed to her side. "Madam Elena, I'm not insane!"

Elena paused, turning back.

Stella continued, "I saw the news. If you don't mind, I'd like to care for Nathaniel."

"Nathaniel had you locked up here. Don't you resent him?" Elena asked.

Stella shook her head. "I know Nathaniel has been deceived. Those videos were fabricated. I've never betrayed him. I've always loved him."

Regardless of the truth, Elena primarily wanted Nathaniel cared for, ideally with a child of his own. "All right, then. Get in the car with me."

The director, given Elena's intervention, found it difficult to keep Stella confined. Stella followed Elena out, feeling reborn under the blue sky.

In the car, Elena warned her, "I don't care what happened in the past. You must be completely devoted to Nathaniel in the future."

"I will," Stella nodded.

Her confinement had revealed her true status: despite her stardom, she was nothing more than a tiny bug in the Rainsworth family's eyes, easily crushed.

Stella accompanied Elena to Daltonia Villa. Learning of Nathaniel's blindness and amnesia, a secret delight flickered in her heart. His memory loss meant he couldn't recall her past actions; she could craft any narrative she wished.

The cold seeped into Daltonia Villa. Opening the door, Stella saw Nathaniel sitting solemnly on the couch, his back straight, his profile sharp, his eyes dark as ink—belied his blindness.

As confusion clouded her, Nathaniel broke the silence. "Who's there?"

Seeing him look toward her without recognition confirmed Elena's words.

"Nathaniel, it's me!"

Since his discharge, Nathaniel had consciously tried to remember voices.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Stella, your ex-girlfriend."