Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 937

The moment Derek spoke, his icy stare sent Adelle's entire expression into a rigid mask.

He studied her closely, watching for the slightest flicker in her eyes—nothing escaped him. Noting how her face went stiff, his gaze grew even colder, a flash of something dangerous in his eyes.

“So tell me,” he pressed on, voice low, “why don’t they look like you, either?”

If those girls really were their children, surely there’d be some trace of resemblance between parent and child. But as Derek looked closer now, he realized that neither Ivanna nor Leanne had inherited even the faintest of Adelle’s features. It was common knowledge that they looked nothing like him—but how was it possible they didn’t look like Adelle, either?

His double-barreled question struck Adelle like a thunderbolt.

“W-what are you talking about?” she stammered, thrown completely. What did he mean, the children didn’t look like them? Why was he suddenly bringing this up? Had Susanna gotten to him with her lies? That little snake... After all the effort she’d made to accept her, and this was the thanks she got? Betrayal?

Adelle’s breathing grew uneven, bordering on panic. “Derek, what exactly are you insinuating?”

Not his children...

Adelle’s eyes brimmed with wounded innocence, though inside her thoughts were churning. For years, she’d worried he’d start asking questions like this—about the girls’ lack of resemblance. He never had, and she’d started to believe the danger had safely passed. But now?

All because of Susanna. Since arriving in Litamark, she’d thrown the entire Black Gate household into chaos—and now she was going to destroy her relationship with Derek, too?

Derek still hadn’t spoken, but the sharp focus in his eyes was unwavering, cutting right through her.

Adelle sniffled, her eyes shining with tears. “You actually think I could betray you?” Her voice trembled with wounded pride. “How could you...?”

She broke down, her accusations dissolving into cracked, sobbing whispers.

Derek frowned, his name tight on his lips. “Adelle…”

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