Chapter 4 Why Didn’t You Say So?
Finished
Estella’s expression was just as cold. She pulled up her sleeve, revealing her arm wrapped in gauze, and said flatly. “I’m injured. I can’t cook.”
The reprimand Nathaniel had been about to deliver got stuck in his throat..
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Estella let out a self–mocking chuckle. Would it make a difference?
For the past three years, whenever she was sick or injured, he never cared.
She still remembered the last time she had appendicitis. Zelda and the driver weren’t around, so she called him, asking him to take her to the hospital.
But Nathaniel was about to board a flight to Edinland and told her to figure it out herself.
She had no choice but to call an ambulance.
After the surgery, she hired a nurse from the hospital to take care of her. He never once visited.
After accumulating so much disappointment, she no longer had any expectations of him. Fortunately, their relationship was almost over.
Nathaniel’s phone rang, breaking the silence between them.
He glanced at the screen and walked out onto the balcony.
Estella watched his back as he left. Faintly, she could hear his gentle voice calling someone “Belle.”
A gust of wind blew in from the balcony. Feeling a chill, she grabbed a coat and went downstairs.
At dawn, Zelda had texted, asking for the day off because her grandson was unwell.
Estella told her not to worry. She could handle things herself.
She took some oats from the pantry, scooped a spoonful into a cup, then grabbed an egg from the fridge, cracked it over the oats, pierced the yolk, added hot water, covered it, and put it in the microwave.
Three minutes later, breakfast was ready.
She carried the cup out of the kitchen, poured in some skim milk, and sprinkled a few nuts on top.
Just as she was about to eat, Nathaniel came downstairs.
Seeing that she had only made breakfast for one, his expression darkened slightly.
But considering that she was injured, he refrained from saying anything harsh.
He stepped forward to see what she was eating. When he saw the simple oatmeal, he frowned. “That’s all you’re having?”
Without looking at him, Estella replied coolly, “You’ll have to take care of your own meals for the next few days. I’m sure that capable assistant of yours can make sure you’re satisfied.”
Nathaniel had originally planned to ask her how to make sweet potato and milk oatmeal so his assistant could prepare it for
Isabelle.
But seeing how indifferent she was, he didn’t feel like asking anymore.
He turned to leave the house and head to the hospital.
I’ll be at the hospital with Belle for the next two days. If you’re not feeling well, call my assistant.”
Estella slowly chewed on a nut. “Got it.”
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Chapter 4 Why Didn’t You Say So?
Finished
Two years ago, after he pulled himself together and returned to work, she used to call and text him every day, checking on his health and asking what time he’d be home for dinner.
But he had found her concern annoying and blocked her number.
She could no longer reach him by phone and could only contact him through WhatsApp.
After that, she gradually stopped trying.
Instead, whenever he had an urgent matter, he would use his assistant’s phone to call her.
At the hospital, Nathaniel’s assistant had already brought breakfast.
“Mr. Hartwell, here’s breakfast from Harmony Bites and Golden Hour Cafe. I got the sweet potato and milk oatmeal, eggs benedict, and some snacks, just as you requested.”
Nathaniel nodded and gestured for her to take it into Isabelle’s room.
isabelle had just finished putting on light makeup. Hearing the knock, she quickly stashed her cosmetics in the cabinet.
Then, she lay back down on the bed and said lazily, “Come in.”
When Nathaniel and the assistant entered, she stretched and yawned.
“Did I wake you, Belle?” Nathaniel walked over and held her hand.
Isabelle smiled at him. “How could you? You stayed with me all night. Estella won’t be upset, will she?”
Nathaniel froze.
Isabelle’s words made him realize that Estella’s attitude this morning had been off.
Even though there’s nothing inappropriate between me and Isabelle, Estella shouldn’t be this indifferent. She should at least…
But he couldn’t figure out what kind of reaction she was supposed to have.
“She had a good temper and never got angry. Let’s have breakfast first.”
Isabelle nodded. “Can you eat with me?”
“Alright.”
Nathaniel scooped some oatmeal and placed it in front of her.
He took a bite himself but found the taste off.
He was used to Estella’s cooking, and breakfast elsewhere always seemed to be missing something.
Seeing his frown, Isabelle asked, “What’s wrong, Nate? Does it not taste good? This is Harmony Bites‘ sweet potato and milk oatmeal. We used to eat here all the time as kids. It still tastes the same.”
Nathaniel didn’t voice his thoughts. Instead, he said gently, “It’s nothing. You enjoy it. I’m not really hungry.”
He set his spoon down and didn’t touch the food again.
Leaving the hospital room, he stepped onto the balcony, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag.
Only then did the restlessness in his chest subside.
His assistant approached and asked, “Mr. Hartwell, there’s a meeting at half past nine this morning. Should I reschedule it?”
‘No need.”
Nathaniel’s voice was low and cold. In his mind, Estella’s gentle and quiet face surfaced.
2/4
3.17 PM P
Chapter 4 Why Didn’t You Say So?
Finished
He told his assistant, “Whitney, let Yvonne handle the meeting. You go pick up Mr. a checkup on her arm.”
Hartwell and
I bring her to the hospital for
The assistant froze.
She often helped Nathaniel with personal matters, but he had never asked her to take care of Estella. Still, since it was his order, she had to obey.
“Understood. I’ll head there now.”
Nathaniel returned to the hospital room, said a brief goodbye to Isabelle, and left.
After packing up Isabelle’s meal containers, the assistant was about to leave when Isabelle suddenly said, “Whitney, I have a headache. Can you stay and accompany me for a checkup?”
Hearing that, the assistant weighed her options.
To Mr. Hartwell. Ms. Isabelle is clearly more important than Mrs. Hartwell. If Ms. Isabelle isn’t feeling well, of course, I should put her first. As for Mrs. Hartwell, even if I don’t pick her up because of Ms. Isabelle, Mr. Hartwell won’t mind.
She immediately put on a polite smile. “Of course, Ms. Isabelle. I’ll call the attending physician right away to arrange it.”
Seeing her act accordingly, Isabelle couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
With nothing to do at home, Estella called Selene out for a meal.
She wanted to discuss her future job.
They met at a cafe.
As soon as Selene saw her, she pulled her into a big hug.
“Stella, it’s been so long since we last met!”
They reminisced about their university days, unable to help but feel nostalgic.
“Honestly. Stella, you should’ve gone into business with me back then. You won multiple national competitions. Professor Dallas even wanted you as his graduate student.”
Thinking back, Estella felt like everything had changed.
Her father had passed away, and her mother needed money for treatment. Marrying Nathaniel had been a choice she had no choice but to make.
But now, she was finally breaking free.
Selene continued talking about work.
The organization she worked at was called Serenade Music Hub. The owner was a wealthy heiress who rarely managed it, leaving things to her partners.
Serenade Music Hub had money, resources, and connections, so its clients were all from high society. The teachers there were paid generously.
“If you work with us, you won’t have to worry about your mom’s medical bills. Serenade Music Hub offers the highest salaries in the industry, and the year–end bonuses are amazing. But our clients are all rich, and many kids and their families have bad tempers. You might struggle at first.”
Estella nodded. “I understand. I’ll do my best to adjust.”
After three years with Nathaniel, enduring his terrible temper, she figured she had built up a pretty high tolerance.
Selene took a sip of her coffee and asked, “Stella, when do you plan to start?”
