Chapter 6

"Now that you've recovered, what are your plans?" Lauro asked Stella.

Stella smiled and softly touched her child's cheek before turning to Lauro. "We're going abroad for a while. I'll come back when the agreed time comes."

Lauro looked at his grandson's face, noticing the boy's handsome features and distinct nose, which didn't seem to resemble their family.

Stella still kept her ex-husband's identity secret from Fausto, and Lauro respected her choice, staying quiet about it. He loved his only child deeply and had always given her everything she wanted. His one regret was letting her live on her own before. By the time he realized she had married someone who didn't love her, it was too late.

"I'll handle your and your child's paperwork."

"Thank you, Dad! You can visit us often there."

Lauro nodded with a smile and gently kissed his sleeping grandson on the forehead. He felt genuinely happy for Stella, knowing she now had someone to share her life with.

Stella felt strange as she walked out of a mansion with her child. She'd been stuck there for a whole year, and even after having the baby, it took her a long time to get her strength back.

Lauro quickly arranged for them to move to another country. Right now, Fausto wasn't getting in the way of her decisions. She wanted to take her child far away from here and didn't want anyone to know about him, worried they might try to take him away. Now, she understood why Lauro and Fausto had kept her hidden before.

The Cooper family was rich, but the McWell family had even more money. Lots of people coveted their fortune, and some had even tried to hurt Lauro when they found out his daughter would inherit everything. They thought she wouldn't be able to handle it if anything happened to him.

Stella's mother passed away when she was born. Lauro never thought about marrying again. Fausto tried to set up Lauro with some ladies, hoping for a grandson, but it didn't work out. So, he turned his attention to Stella.

"I'll accompany you abroad to help take care of my great-grandson," Fausto offered.

Stella raised an eyebrow, unsure why he suddenly cared so much about her child, just because he was a boy.

"Let your grandpa come," Lauro said, putting an arm around Stella. "He just wants to catch up on lost time." Lauro couldn't leave because he didn't have anyone he trusted to run their business. His cousins were unreliable, hoping for a chance to snatch his position as CEO of the company.

Stella had no choice but to agree, and Fausto got ready to join them on their trip overseas.

***

"Why can't we get married? It's been two years since your divorce," Elizabeth asked, clearly frustrated. She was even more upset that Charles hadn't introduced her to Ramon to announce their reconciliation.

"If you don't like this setup anymore, you can find someone else," Charles replied flatly.

Elizabeth stared at Charles in disbelief. "Just like that? After I left my job overseas and came back here for you?"

Charles sighed, his patience wearing thin. "It's not my fault that I no longer feel the same way about you."

Elizabeth started crying, covering her face with her hands. She could have stayed before, as Charles had planned to be with her even though he was married because it was only on paper. But she left, and Charles didn't know the real reason. She had been too comfortable, thinking his love for her wouldn't change.

"Babe, that's not what I meant. I'm trying everything to make you love me like before. Please don't give up on me just like that," Elizabeth pleaded.

Charles sighed and looked at her closely, suddenly seeing a reflection of Stella in her and feeling a pang of guilt. Like Elizabeth, Stella had also begged him for a chance. Years had passed, and he still couldn't find Stella. Ramon was right; he might never see her again.

He wondered why there was no trace of her. He had checked airports and provinces, but no one named Stella Miranda had left the country. Ramon had never left the house meant for Stella and only spoke to him if it was important.

"Admit it, are you still looking for her?" Elizabeth accused.

"Don't start, Elizabeth. I have a lot of work to do, so let's talk another day," Charles deflected.

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, restraining herself from asking more questions. She didn't want to risk losing Charles, so she had to settle for now.

After Elizabeth left, Charles massaged his temples and fell into deep thought again.

"Did you fight with your fiancée?" a voice interrupted Charles' thoughts.

Startled, Charles looked up to see a man standing there.

"The door was open, so I came in. I also ran into your girlfriend in the hallway," the man explained.

Charles stood up and gestured for the man to take a seat. This was an unexpected visit from a new client, and Charles hadn't anticipated seeing him in his office. Ignoring the question about his relationship, Charles asked, "Is there a problem that brought you here so suddenly?"

"Not at all. I reviewed your proposal last night and wanted to sign it today because I'm leaving tonight," the man explained.

Charles was pleased with the quick closure of such a significant project. For a moment, he forgot his worries and focused on the new project.

"Safe travels!" he said, shaking hands with the man.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth went straight to Sophie's office, venting her frustrations about Charles.

"Sorry, Liz. If only I could do something to help you marry Charles," Sophie consoled her.

"Maybe if Charles find Stella, he will stop thinking about her," Elizabeth speculated.

Sophie nodded in agreement. Elizabeth was right; Charles' feelings were divided because of Ramon. Ramon needed to see Stella.

"What if we use social media to find her?" Elizabeth suggested.

Sophie thought it was a good idea.