Chapter 138 Honey, People Say We're Not In Love
Adeline left the coffee shop and headed to the local fresh market to pick up some groceries. Living with Violet, who was not exactly a wizard in the kitchen, naturally meant that Adeline would have to take up the task of grocery shopping and cooking.
With freshly purchased ingredients in hand, Adeline approached the front door and was about to fish out her keys when she heard Violet's embarrassed voice from inside:
"Adeline will be back soon, Ethan. Sterling, Yyou better not—"
"Come on, she's practically our matchmaker; she won't mind..."
"She's been having a tough time lately; let's not upset her."
"Well, let's hurry up before she gets back..."
Adeline frowned slightly.
It wasn't the best timing for her return.
She set the groceries down at the door, took a deep breath, and walked away.
As dusk settled, the city of Denver began to glow with its vibrant nightlife.
Alone, Adeline wandered the streets for hours until she found herself standing in front of a gallery. A glance at the billboard revealed:
"Renowned artist Sebastian's traveling exhibition, Denver stop."
Sebastian was a painter Adeline had idolized during her college days. She had naively vowed in her diary that before she died, she'd attend one of Sebastian's exhibitions in person.
Years had passed, and now, weathered by life's trials, she stood outside his exhibition feeling unexpectedly composed.
Nevertheless, she bought a ticket and walked in; it was, after all, a dream of her younger self.
The gallery wasn't crowded.
As she moved through the corridor, flanked by the paintings that once accompanied her youth, a youthful image of herself seemed to dance before her eyes. She chuckled at her sentimentality.
"Jasper, thank you. Seeing Sebastian's work means a lot to me."
"Being able to fulfill your wish means a lot to me."
After what felt like an eternity, a familiar feminine voice pulled Adeline back from her scattered thoughts.
Following the sound, she saw Stella in a flowing white dress, arm-in-arm with Jasper, strolling toward her.
The affectionate image of the pair seemed faultless.
Suddenly, Adeline understood why the woman's voice had sounded familiar—it was her past echoing.
This woman wasn't just a spitting image of her former self; even her voice was identical.
Molly's words from the afternoon replayed in Adeline's ears:
"So he swapped your sister with me. I became the Collins family's second daughter and your real sister was sent to the orphanage."
Her brow furrowed involuntarily.
Could this Stella be her sister—the one abandoned at the orphanage?
If she were, everything would make sense.
"Adeline?"
Lost in thought, Adeline didn't notice Stella and Jasper approaching.
Stella was clinging to Jasper's arm, their closeness unmistakable. "What a coincidence to bump into you here," she said with a warm smile.
Adeline snapped out of her daze and returned a faint smile, "Quite the coincidence."
"Do you also admire Master Sebastian's paintings?"
Stella's eyes lingered on her, "I'm a fan too. "
"Jasper knows I'm fond of Master Sebastian, so as soon as I got back, he spared no expense in bringing the master to Denver for this exhibit.,"
Stella boasted, snuggling her head into Jasper's chest, "My husband is the best!"
Watching Stella, who shared the same face she once had herself, display such affection with Jasper was heartbreakinglike spilling a box of spices inside Adeline—her emotions were a complex blend.
She wasn't sure if she should be happy that Jasper had finally taken to the old Adeline.
Or should she grieve that she was nothing more than a stand-in for Adeline in Jasper's eyes affection was for nothing more than a stand-in for Adeline?
Yet, Jasper was also putting on an act at this moment.
With that thought, Adeline's lips curled into a reserved smile, "Then I owe a thank you to Mrs. Foster. Thanks to you, we're able to enjoy Master Sebastian's work here in Denver."
After a brief pause, she gestured to a painting behind her, "Does Mrs. Foster know the title of this piece?"
Stella rolled her eyes.
Was this womanhat was this woman after, testing her?
She answered dismissively, "It's called 'The Performance,' a satire on people who put on a show to boast in front of others."
Adeline chuckled, "It suits you perfectly."
Stella paused, and then it dawned on her: Adeline was mocking her using the painting!
She was implying that Stella was the one putting on an act!
Feeling her anger rise, she tightened her grip on Jasper's arm, "Honey, she's saying we're not affectionate. "
"Kiss me to prove her wrong!"
Jasper tensed as Stella clung to him.
Encountering Adeline in this situation was awkward enough, and now Stella wanted a public display of their affection—in front of Adeline?
A kiss?
The man's brow knitted together, "Stop it."
Since Stella had come back into his life, he had thought of kissing her.
But every time he was about to, his body instinctively pulled back.
He had even sought help from a psychologist.
The shrink attributed their issue to their prolonged separation. They were still in love mentally, but physically, they'd become strangers to one another.
HRegularly, he couldn't even steal a kiss from Stella in their bedroom in privacy, let alone in such a public setting.
"I'm not making a scene," he protested.
But Stella was determined to use this opportunity to force Jasper into a kiss in front of Adeline. "Don't you love me anymore?" she challenged.
The man furrowed his brow, casting her a helpless glance. "Do we really need to prove our affection in front of strangers?"
That term "strangers" inexplicably stung Adeline's heart.
His explanation, however, could have been more satisfying to Stella.
She bit her lip defiantly, "I insist!"
And with that, seizing the moment, she tiptoed, wrapped her arms around Jasper's neck, and boldly pressed her lips toward his.…
Across from the couple, Adeline watched the scene unfolding scene, feeling shatteredan internal tug-of-war.
Stella was now like her in the past.
Sporting that same look, facing his indifference and disdain, where displays of affection were a solo performance.
Jasper had stayed the same.
In public, he played the doting husband masterfully, showering his wife with loving attention.
But in truth, he wouldn't even spare a kiss.
As Stella's lips drew closer to Jasper's, Adeline knew she should look away.
Yet, she couldn't help but stand there, transfixed, eyes locked on the pair.
Her heart ached more with each passing moment, growing increasingly uneasy, but her gaze remained fixed.
Just as their lips were about to meet, Jasper's phone rang.
At the sound of the ring, Jasper instinctively pushed Stella away and turned to answer the call.
Stella watched his retreating figure, lips bitten in anger.
So close, just a hair's breadth away!
She had almost captured Jasper's kiss!
"Looks like Mrs. Foster's performance flopped," said Adeline, a cold smile playing on her lips as she cast a disdainful glance and walked away. "Next time, youMrs. Foster might want to rehearse with Mr. Foster before giving me a show."
Her mocking words bit into Stella, who clenched her jaw tight.
Glancing at a security camera overhead, an evil glint flickered in her eyes.
The next second, as Adeline moved into a blind spot, Stella lunged forward!—
Unsuspecting, Adeline was shoved against the wall.
As she was about to fall, she instinctively reached out to brace herself against the wall.
On it hung Sebastian's prized painting, "The Kite and the Girl."
A tearing sound echoed...
The masterpiece was punctured directly by Adeline's hand.
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