Stanley looked at Jessica.


    "Is that really what you think?" He gave a bitterugh, shaking his head. "How I wish you were right."


    Jessica stood there, stunned, her voice caught in her throat. "What..."


    "Jessica," Stanley said, his tone firm, "Wendy doesn''t need to steal me away. I''ve always belonged to her. I won''t marry you, so don''t waste your time."


    With that, Stanley turned and walked away.


    The sting of his words hit Jessica like a physical blow. Why? What was it about her that made her so inferior to Wendy?


    Stanley left the Zenith G, his expression unreadable as he turned to Zayn. "Where did Wendy go?"


    Zayn nced up at him, a slight bow of his head. "She went back to her room." Stanley nodded. "I''ll go find her."


    At that very moment, Samuel arrived with Be, searching for Wendy. Samuel pinched Be''s soft cheek, a yful smile on his face. "Do you miss your mommy?"


    Be nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"


    "Well, soon we''ll get to see her," Samuel said, grinning.


    Just then, Samuel spotted Stanley up ahead.


    Be saw him too, her eyes lighting up. "Daddy Sam, it''s Mr. Handsome!"


    Stanley, tall and elegant, moved down the hallway with an effortless grace, his presence glowing. He was the kind of person you couldn''t ignore, no matter how hard you tried.


    Samuel couldn''t help but think that it was fate-how they had met in Florias, and now, here they were again.


    "Can you put me down? I want to say hi to Mr. Handsome," Be asked eagerly. "Alright, go ahead," Samuel said, smiling.


    He gently set Be down, and she immediately ran toward Stanley, calling out in her sweet, childish voice, "Mr. Handsome..."


    The sound of Be''s voice stopped Stanley in his tracks. It was so familiar, almost like he''d heard it before. Turning to the side, he saw Be running toward him, her tiny figure bouncing with excitement.


    It was the little girl!


    Stanley''s heart warmed with surprise; he opened his arms, catching her in a big embrace as she reached him. "It''s you! You''re here in the Capital, too!"


    Be giggled, her face lighting up with joy. "Yes, Mr. Handsome! I came to the Capital to find my mommy..."


    Her mommy?


    He figured a kid this beautiful must have an incredibly stunning mother.


    Stanley felt a fondness for Be that he had never experienced before. This was the first time he had genuinely liked a child, and their connection felt fated. From Florias to the Capital, it seemed like they were meant to meet.


    He gently ruffled Be''s hair. "Remember the crystal ball identally broke? How about I get you a new one to make up for it?"


    Stanley remembered how he had identally stepped on her precious crystal ball, and he wanted to make it right.


    Be''s eyes brightened as she nodded eagerly. "Sure! My mommy lives here. You cane with me, and I''ll show you where to buy the crystal ball.”


    What Be really wanted, though, was for Stanley to meet Wendy. She hoped he might even be her daddy. Stanley paused, a little surprised. He hade to find Wendy, but meeting the girl''s mother first wouldn''t be a problem. He could find Wendy afterward.


    "Alright. Do you know what room your mommy is in?" he asked gently.


    Benodded. "She''s in Room 808."


    Room 808?


    Stanley nced at the room numbers around them. "Room 808 is right here. Let me take you there."


    He picked Be up effortlessly, her small body fittingfortably in his strong


    arms.


    As he started walking, Be looked at him, her innocent voice breaking the


    silence. "Mr. Handsome, are you married?"


    Stanley smiled softly, his lips curling. "Not yet."


    Really?


    Be''s eyes sparkled with excitement. That was great news.


    But then Stanley added, “But... I''m in love with someone."