Observing Estelle’s amiable response and realizing that she hadn’t disclosed her actions to Cristofer, Mila felt a sense of relief.
Mila then approached Estelle, linking her arm with hers in a familiar manner. She requested, “Miss Hudson, could you kindly do me a favor? Could you try on this wedding dress? I’m curious to see if this style suits me. With your flawless figure, you would look stunning in it.”
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Estelle gently withdrew her arm from Mila’s grasp and responded, “If you want to gauge if it suits you, it’s best to try it on once it’s been altered to your size.”
“You’re totally right,” Mila agreed, nodding.
Upon hearing their exchange, Cristofer scoffed and turned to Estelle, remarking, “Huh! You claimed we were relatives, but now you’re unwilling to help my fiancée?”
Perplexed by his sudden change in tone, Estelle furrowed her brows and responded, “Why should I do her a favor solely because of our past relationship?”
“She’s shown you kindness. It’s rather unkind of you to refuse her,” Cristofer retorted.
Estelle took a deep breath upon hearing this, making an effort to control her rising anger.
‘I must have been insane to mistake him for Mr. Mysterious just now.’
‘They are totally different. Mr. Mysterious is kind and gentle, while Cristofer is so mean and sharp-tongued!’
“Why should I comply with her request just because she’s kind to me? And why should I follow your order? Mr. Hans, don’t you think you’re being overly domineering?” Estelle asked.
“I’ve always been domineering. You’ve always known that, haven’t you?”
“I don’t want to talk to you,” Estelle remarked, handing the car key to Eva.
“You have a driver now. I have other commitments. Goodbye.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
“Miss Hudson…”
“Wait.” Cristofer stood up and quickly walked toward Estelle to stop her. “Haven’t you settled abroad with Mr. Mysterious? Why did you come back?”
Estelle looked up at him and snapped, “Wherever I go has nothing to do with you.”
“It has a lot to do with me. I want to see the children. I have the visitation right. I haven’t seen them for more than three years. You have no right to keep us from meeting each other.”
“I’ll let you see them another day. I have something to deal with now.”
“When will I finally get to see them?” Cristofer demanded. “Estelle, do you despise me so much that you’re in such a rush to leave? I need to see our kids!”
Estelle exhaled deeply, a look of resignation in her eyes. “Tomorrow, Cristofer. I promise you’ll see them tomorrow. But right now, I need to get to the hospital. Please move aside.”
Upon hearing this, concern quickly replaced Cristofer’s anger. “Your cancer…?” he trailed off.
“I’m fine. I’ll go to the hospital for someone else.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, but then he became nervous again. “Is Yohan or Yvonne sick?”
“No.”
“Then…” Cristofer had a guess in his mind, and his face was darkened. “Is the child of you and Mr. Mysterious sick?”
Estelle looked away, her voice weary, “It’s more complex than you think… But discussing it with you right now seems pointless. I really have to go.”
However, Cristofer persisted, taking a step closer. “If you’ve had a child with another man, then give Yohan and Yvonne back to me,” he demanded.
Estelle chuckled bitterly, “You’re about to marry, aren’t you? Why not ask your fiancée if she’s ready to be a stepmother to your children?”
“I… I’ll let them live with Grandpa. And I will visit them regularly. Now you have a new family and a new child. You won’t love them wholeheartedly as I do.”
“I’ve been loving them wholeheartedly!” Estelle raised her voice and snarled.
“When the children were young and needed care, where were you? When they needed a father, where were you? I don’t know how you can say you love them!”
“Let me clarify something for you. When they craved attention and yearned for a father’s touch, it wasn’t you but Mr. Mysterious who was there for them. He’s the one who chose the best school for Yohan and picked out his favorite toys and stationery. And when Yvonne was in tears, it was he who comforted her. What have you ever done for them?”
Cristofer stood there, unable to find the words.
“I don’t want to argue, especially not here and certainly not in front of your fiancée. Remember when you confessed to me three years ago about finding someone you truly loved and wanted to be with? I genuinely wish you well. Moreover, we had a clear agreement about our children’s upbringing. And yet, here you are, attempting to snatch them away from me once again? Cristofer, you’ve crossed a line!”
“I…”
Estelle gritted her teeth and continued, “The children must live with me. There is no room for negotiation on this issue.”
Cristofer said, “Is he really so good to Yohan and Yvonne? I don’t believe it.”
“I don’t care whether you believe it or not.”
“Yohan and Yvonne are just his stepchildren. Now that he has his own child with you, he won’t be as good to them as before. I can’t trust him to take care of them.”
Swallowing hard, Estelle whispered, “There’s no need for concern. Mr. Mysterious…”
“You’re about to say he’s different, aren’t you? Estelle, you’re completely smitten by him! Naturally, people favor their own children over stepchildren. Even if he promised to treat our children well…”
“He has passed away,” Estelle interjected, cutting him off.
Cristofer was struck dumb, the shock evident on his face.
“I have no plans to remarry, and no one will mistreat Yohan and Yvonne,” Estelle continued. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“He… He has passed away?”
Estelle raised her head and looked at him, feeling as if countless knives were stabbing her heart.
Before returning to Hadale, she had hoped not to cross paths with Cristofer. His presence always evoked memories of Mr. Mysterious.
Hadale was a place of sorrow for her, a place where too many heart-wrenching memories lingered. The last person she ever wanted to encounter was here as well.
If not for the fact that the only suitable donor capable of saving Christina was in Hadale, she would have never returned.
However, the doctor informed her that the donor had retracted his commitment upon her return.
‘God really likes to play tricks on me. Every time I am full of hope for the future, there will be a big blow waiting for me,’ Estelle thought with a bitter smile.
After a short silence, Cristofer asked with his voice full of concern, “What’s wrong with that child?”
“She has a liver disease.”
“Is it serious?”
“Yes. It’s congenital and can’t be cured. Only a liver transplant can save her.”
“Have you found a donor?” Cristofer inquired, looking weary.
“Yes. But the doctor told me just now that the donor can’t donate his liver for some reason.”
Upon hearing this, Cristofer exhaled deeply and inquired, “Is her liver condition genetic? Did her father have a family history of such disease?”
“I’m not sure,” Estelle replied with a shake of her head.
“You claim to love Mr. Mysterious deeply. How come you don’t know about his liver issues?”
Estelle reached her limit, and she emphasized each word, “Cristofer, every time you bring up Mr. Mysterious, you become hostile and aggressive. If you continue this way, I can only assume it’s out of jealousy!”