Luke also felt disappointed, saying, “Mr. Hans has changed a lot. He wasn’t like this before.”
“Uncle Luke…”
“Hi, Estelle. You appear to have lost some weight, but you look much better,” Luke said, noticing her improved appearance.
Estelle smiled warmly and replied, “Perhaps it’s because things have been going well lately that I’m feeling better. By the way, Uncle Luke, who brought Yvonne here?”
Hearing this, Luke was a little stunned.
“Didn’t you ask your friend to bring her here? He mentioned that you would pick up Yohan and were worried about being late, so you requested him to bring Yvonne here first. What happened?” he inquired.
Estelle continued her inquiry, “What does he look like?”
“Well, he is a young man in his twenties and was dressed in a suit. He was so considerate that he even brought Yvonne’s feeding bottle and diapers here. Estelle, if you are busy in the future, you can call Mr. Hans and ask him to pick up the children. He is their father, after all.”
Estelle didn’t say anything.
She found it challenging to move on from the past and desired to break free from any connections with Cristofer. Additionally, the apartment at Rose Garden held special significance for her and Mr. Mysterious, as it was their private space. She didn’t want others, especially Cristofer, to know her address.
Thinking of this, she remembered Geoffrey’s words and still had a lingering fear.
She knew that what Geoffrey had done today was to warn her that if she didn’t listen to them, they might hurt the people she cared about, such as her children.
It was sunny and a little hot today, but Estelle felt a chill all over.
“Let’s go inside,” Gary urged them, wearing a gloomy face; he then ordered, “Luke, keep calling Cristofer until he answers the phone!”
“Okay, Old Mr. Hans.”
****
The villa looked a little different from before.
The floor of the living room was covered with cashmere carpet, and the sofa was piled up with many toys, such as Iron Man models for Yohan and stuffed toys for Yvonne.
At the center of the living room, there was a child’s slide, accompanied by a kiddie ride and a merry-go-round.
The once luxurious and elegant living room had transformed into a small children’s amusement park.
As soon as Yohan entered the villa, he was filled with joy and excitement, quickly taking off his shoes and running around the living room.
Seeing Yohan so happy, Yvonne also expressed her delight in Luke’s arms.
Luke smiled and shared with Estelle, “Mr. Hans specifically prepared all these things for them. He personally went to the mall and chose each toy for them the other day!”
Hearing this, Gary, who had been attentively watching Yohan, said, “I only have two great-grandchildren, so I certainly should treat them well.”
After he said that, his smile vanished, and he snorted again. “The best thing Cristofer has done in his life is to marry Estelle, or else I wouldn’t have had such two cute great-grandchildren. Humph. I really don’t know what’s wrong with him and why he is so obsessed with that woman…”
“Old Mr. Hans, I still can’t get through. Mr. Hans’ phone is switched off.” Luke said after calling Cristofer several times again.
“Continue to call him!”
“Forget it,” Estelle said. “He’s probably busy. Grandpa Gary, the children came here to visit you, not him. It doesn’t really matter if he comes or not.”
However, Gary expressed his disapproval, saying, “It does matter. A father plays a significant role in the children’s upbringing. Estelle, I appreciate your caring nature and how well you care for the kids, but it doesn’t excuse Cristofer from his responsibilities as a father. He should be here today!”
Sitting on the kiddie ride, Yohan said, “Great Grandpa, Yvonne, and I can see our Dad every day. We don’t lack father’s love.”
“Really? Does your Dad go to see you every day?” Gary asked as his eyes lit up with joy.
“He lives with us!” Yohan stated. “Dad hugs Mom every day!”
Hearing this, Gary burst into laughter and said, “That’s more like it. Estelle, when did you get back together with Cristofer? Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
Luke was also happy when hearing Yohan’s words. “Old Mr. Hans, maybe they want to keep the current relationship to add a little fun into their life. I’ve told you that it’s impossible that Mr. Hans doesn’t love Estelle. He loves Estelle very much!”
Twirling his beard with his eyes full of joy, Gary said, “Fortunately, he is not that stupid! It’s good that they are reconciled with each other! Nothing is more important than the completeness and harmony of a family!”
“No, no, no,” Yohan said and hurriedly waved his hand. “Great Grandpa, the one who lives with us, is our new Dad, not our biological father!”
“Your new Dad?”
“Yes,” Yohan said with a pout. “The Dad I referred to is not the one I met the last time I came here but our new Dad.”
Hearing this, Gary and Luke were stunned.
Estelle had planned to stop Yohan. But after thinking it over, she thought that there was no need to do so.
Cristofer was on the verge of getting married, yet Gary still hoped he would reconcile with Estelle. In this situation, it might be more appropriate to inform Gary that she has moved on and is now in a new relationship.
“Estelle, is what Yohan said true?” Gary asked.
Estelle sighed and said seriously, “Grandpa Gary, here is the thing. Cristofer and I… Our relationship is over, and both of us have started a new relationship. He is going to get married to his beloved one soon. So am I.”
“How could it be possible?” Gary couldn’t accept it. “You and Cristofer should be together. How could you two split up?”
“Great Grandpa, our new dad is good to Mom, Yvonne, and me,” Yohan said as he got out of the kiddie ride and sat next to Gary. “He is an excellent person, and he’s a superhero.”
“Yohan, haven’t you seen your biological father recently?” Gary asked, still not unable to accept the reality.
Shaking his head, Yohan said in a sweet voice, “No. It’s our new Dad who sends me to school and picks me up from school every day. He bought me a schoolbag and a lot of cool stationery. He also bought me many, many Iron Man merchandise and other toys!”
Gary had mixed feelings when hearing this, thinking, ‘It seems that that man is good to the children. But Yohan is the great-grandson of the Hans family! How could he call someone else Dad?’
“Grandpa Gary, don’t worry. He treats the children with great care and considers them his own. Moreover, Yohan and Yvonne are part of the Hans family, and that bond is unbreakable. Regardless of any circumstances, they will always love and respect you,” Estelle reassured gently.
“I understand that,” Gary replied. “But won’t you get back together with Cristofer again?”
Estelle, who had moved on from Cristofer, replied softly, “Even though our marriage has ended, I’m genuinely happy for Cristofer as he gets to marry the woman he loves. I sincerely wish him happiness. Grandpa Gary, I know you want us to reunite, but… It’s just not going to happen.”
Outside the door, Cristofer halted his steps at the door when he heard Estelle’s words.
After halting for a few seconds, he sighed helplessly, opened the door, and entered.
“Sorry, Grandpa. I’m late.”