Chapter 26 I Will Be Back
Estella clinked glasses with Selene, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.
Finished
On the weekend, Estella woke up, filled out the registration form, and sent it off before tidying up and heading out to visit her mother.
At the hospital, she found Victoria sitting on the balcony, basking in the sunlight.
Unexpectedly, standing beside her was Nathaniel.
Her expression instantly turned cold.
What is he doing here?
As soon as Victoria saw her, she began to fuss. “Stella, you’re finally here. It’s nearly ten o’clock, and you’re just getting up! Nathaniel brought me breakfast early this morning and even took me for a walk. I was about to call and wake you, but he kept telling me not to disturb you and to let you sleep in.”
Estella placed the flowers she had brought into a vase.
Then, turning to Nathaniel, she said, “Come with me. I need to talk to you.”
Nathaniel followed her into the hallway.
“Why are you here?” Her tone was sharp.
She wanted to drive him away, but she didn’t want to upset her mother.
Nathaniel, acting as though their divorce had never happened, spoke with unwavering composure. “Mom called me yesterday, asking why I hadn’t visited in a while. I happened to be free today, so I came.”
Estella’s brows furrowed. “Mr. Hartwell, I’d appreciate it if you stopped addressing her like that. She’s my mom. She has nothing to do with you.”
Nathaniel exhaled in mild exasperation. “Estella, must you be so distant? Mom isn’t in great health. Can you really shoulder all her medical expenses on your own? I neglected you before, but I intend to make amends. Stop being so stubborn and come back with me.”
Ever since seeing Estella at the banquet, Nathaniel had been haunted by dreams of her.
He had assumed that, after their divorce, she would struggle to find work and spiral into hardship.
Yet, to his surprise, she could play the piano, and even a maestro like Chase had praised her talent.
What unsettled him even more was how stunning she had looked that night, drawing countless covetous gazes.
He couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else having her.
He had to bring her back before it was too late.
Women were all the same. If he swallowed his pride and coaxed her, she would surely relent.
Estella fixed Nathaniel with a glare.
Why does he refuse to understand plain words?
“Nathaniel, I told you, I’m never going back. Give up already.”
Bur Nathaniel didn’t take her words seriously,
He glanced at the hospital room, then smirked. “That’s not up to you. I know what matters most to you. From now on, I’ll visit Mom every week. I’m sure she’ll help persuade you.”
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3:23 PM P P.
Chapter 26 I Will Be Back
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Finished
With that, he turned and strode back inside.
Estella clenched her teeth in frustration.
What is he thinking? He clearly loves Isabelle. Why is he still clinging to me?
Inside the ward, Victoria handed Nathaniel a plate of grapes and smiled warmly.
Nathaniel took one and said, “Mom, you have an incredible memory. You still remember that grapes are my favorite.”
“Of course. I remember everything you like.” Victoria regarded him with satisfaction.
She recalled how Nathaniel had once visited her in a wheelchair.
At the time, she had worried that her daughter would suffer in a marriage with him.
Yet, miraculously, he had recovered in no time.
Now, there was nothing about this son–in–law that she wasn’t pleased with.
When Estella walked back in, Victoria asked, “Stella, when are you and Nathaniel planning to have a baby?”
Nathaniel suddenly placed a hand on Estella’s shoulder. Her expression froze.
“I’ll leave that up to Stella,” he said smoothly.
Victoria beamed at his response, her affection for him deepening.
“Don’t leave everything up to Stella. You two need to act fast. Stella, it’s best to have children while you’re young, so your body will recover more easily.”
Estella, however, wished she could chop off the hand resting on her shoulder.
At noon, she accompanied Victoria to the hospital cafeteria for lunch.
Nathaniel busied himself nearby, fetching the food and pouring water.
Estella studied him with a complex expression.
In the past, Nathaniel had never done any of this.
She had no idea what had gotten into him.
The meal tasted like sawdust. Afterward, she took her mother back to her room and said her goodbyes.
She and Nathaniel exited the ward together.
As they walked, Estella’s tone turned serious. “I’m begging you, Nathaniel. Stop coming here.”
Nathaniel believed he had done more than enough today, yet Estella showed no appreciation whatsoever.
Irritated, he scoffed, “Are you pushing me away because of that Mr. Bennett? Do you want to be with him?”
He didn’t see how Jonathan was any better than him.
With him as her former husband, a man of status, wealth, and looks, he couldn’t fathom her being interested in another man.
Estella, infuriated by his arrogance, snapped, “That has nothing to do with you!”
Nathaniel let out a cold chuckle. “Estella, you can’t stop me. Whatever I set my mind to, I see it through. I’ll be back. If you think you can escape me, you’re dreaming.”
