Chapter 10 Does He Like Estella?
I signed the divorce paper?
Finished
Nathaniel suddenly remembered that a month ago, Estella had handed him a document to sign. At the time, he thought she just wanted more money, so he didn’t pay much attention and didn’t even bother reading it carefully.
Now, he realized that what he had signed was actually a divor
paper!
Why didn’t Estella just say it outright? Didn’t she love me? No matter how badly I treated her, she never left. So why is she suddenly asking for a divorce now?
Nathaniel no longer understood Estella.
He asked Madeline, “Why didn’t you stop her? Mom, I never intended to get a divorce.”
Madeline was even more confused. She had always thought Nathaniel felt nothing for Estella. She never expected that divorce had never even crossed his mind.
“Nathaniel, but Estella is already gone. I think that girl has really given up this time. Since you’re divorced now, you have to learn to let go and move forward.”
Madeline’s words only made Nathaniel more irritated. “I never agreed to this divorce, so it doesn’t count. Besides, she’s my woman. Even if she dies, she should still belong to me. I won’t let her go!”
Madeline remained silent.
Nathaniel hung up the phone, his face dark with frustration. He turned to his assistant and ordered, “Find out where Estella is right now.”
The assistant was also a bit stunned.
Isn’t Mr. Hartwell in love with Ms. Isabelle? Isn’t it a good thing that Mrs. Hartwell willingly divorces him without making a fuss? So why does he look like the one who’s been left behind?
Isabelle, standing nearby, was just as baffled. She had thought that once she returned to the country, Nathaniel would immediately leave Estella and marry her. But things weren’t unfolding the way she had imagined.
Does Nathaniel actually like Estella? No way. If he did, then why does he spend all his time with me?
She forced herself to find a reasonable explanation.
Nathaniel has a massive ego. He can be the one to file for divorce, but he’d never let Estella be the one to bring it up first. His pride must be wounded, and that’s why he refuses to let her go. That has to be it.
Estella had a wonderful night’s sleep in her new home.
The next morning, she met with Madeline’s assistant and completed the property transfer for Seaview Garden Villas.
Once the paperwork was done, Estella immediately went to a real estate agent and put the villa up for sale.
Seeing that it was a big transaction, the agent treated her with utmost respect and repeatedly assured her they would find a buyer as soon as possible.
Estella wasn’t worried about selling the place. Once she handed it over to the agent, she stopped thinking about it.
Then, she went to the hospital to visit her mother.
Victoria Lawson was in a much more stable state now. She had even made some friends at the hospital, so she wasn’t too lonely.
When Estella arrived, Victoria was in high spirits, playing cards with her fellow friends in the hospital.
Smiling, Estella placed the fruit she had brought on the table, washed a fruit knife, and started slicing it.
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Chapter 10 Does He Like Estella?
Finished
Once she finished, she shared the fruit with the other patients, then picked up a fork, speared a piece, and held it up to Victoria’s lips.
Victoria took a bite naturally and asked, “Stella, didn’t Nathaniel come with you?”
Estella’s expression froze. “Oh, he’s busy. He’ll come later when he’s free.”
“Oh, when are you two having kids? I can help take care of them.”
Because of her illness, Victoria had lost many memories and often forgot what had happened the day before.
Even now, she still believed that their family company was running as usual and that her husband was just away on a business trip.
She also thought that Estella had only recently gotten married.
Back when Estella and Nathaniel had just tied the knot, Nathaniel often accompanied her to visit her mother. Despite being in a wheelchair, he came from à distinguished family, had striking features, and carried himself with remarkable humility and courtesy in front of elders. Victoria had always liked him.
But later, Nathaniel stopped coming with her as often.
However, Victoria didn’t remember that. She still thought Estella and Nathaniel had a great marriage.
Estella didn’t want to upset her mother, so she hadn’t planned on telling her about the divorce so soon.
She took some change from her wallet and placed it on the card table, changing the subject. “Mom, every time you urge me to have kids, I get a headache. Just focus on the game! Don’t lose all my money.”
Victoria laughed as innocently as before. “Your dad left all the money with me. I don’t need your little bit.”
Estella coaxed her, “I know, Dad always spoiled you!”
Once Victoria finally finished her game, Estella took her outside to enjoy the sun.
Victoria asked naively, “Stella, I’ve been in the hospital for almost two months now. Why hasn’t your dad come back yet? Have you called him?”
Estella replied, “Dad is still busy with a project overseas. He said he’ll come back as soon as he can.”
Victoria sighed. “That workaholic. Once he starts working, he forgets about his family.”
Suddenly, she frowned in confusion. “But I sent him several messages. Why hasn’t he replied?”
Estella knew she would forget everything by the next day, so she naturally lied. “He probably hasn’t seen them yet. You know how he never checks his phone when he’s working.”
Victoria grumbled, “When he comes back this time, I won’t let him leave again. He’s getting old. He should hand the company over to his subordinates. Can’t he spend more time with me?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to him.”
Hearing her daughter take her side made Victoria happy.
Estella left the hospital and returned to her rented apartment.
After a few days of rest, Estella started work.
For the past three years, she had practiced the piano every day, so her skills hadn’t deteriorated.
She quickly passed the interview and entered the probation period.
Selene encouraged her with a smile. “I told you there’d be no problem. Once you’re permanent, I’ll treat you to a big meal.”
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Chapter 10 Does He Like Estella?
Estella thanked her immediately.
Finished
She was actually a little nervous. It was her first job, and to ensure she didn’t embarrass herself in class, she had rehearsed multiple times.
Luckily, the two students she had so far had pleasant personalities, and their teacher–student relationship was fairly
harmonious.
The probation period required many assessments, and she was busy every day. By the time she lay down at night, she just wanted to sleep and had no energy to dwell on unpleasant memories of her past marriage.
That evening, after finishing her night shift, she received a call from Helen, the hospital caregiver, saying that her mother had gone missing.
Panic surged in her chest as she grabbed her phone and rushed out.
In her haste, she tripped and fell hard.
A sharp pain shot through her ankle. She took a deep breath, gripping the railing to try to stand up, but she couldn’t find the strength.
“Are you okay?“/
A male voice came from behind.
Estella turned around and, against the light, saw a tall figure.
