Aurora hurriedly fetched a big blanket from the bedroom and wrapped it around Estelle. After that, she went to the kitchen to get Estelle a glass of warm water.
“Drink some warm water,” she said worriedly.
“Mom.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m in need of some rest,” Estelle murmured softly.
“Before you sleep, make sure to take a warm shower. Otherwise, you might catch a cold,” Aurora advised.
“I’m too exhausted for a shower, Mom,” Estelle responded quietly.
Noticing the redness in Estelle’s eyes and her sorrowful expression, Aurora inquired, “Were you thinking about Mr. Mysterious again?”
With a wistful smile, Estelle replied, “Today, I saw…”
‘I met Cristofer, who looks exactly the same as Mr. Mysterious. And I smelled the familiar scent of cologne on him…’
The memory of Mr. Mysterious was indelibly printed on her brain. Whenever she thought of him, she would feel extremely sad.
Exiting the wedding dress store, she wandered through the rain for an hour. Memories resurfaced of Mr. Mysterious returning home drenched and despondent a few days before his death.
The more she thought of him, the more she remembered how small her knowledge about his life.
Estelle remained oblivious to the cause of his frustration that night or the experiences he had undergone on that particular day.
On the day of the car accident, Mr. Mysterious emerged from his coma, briefly opened his eyes, and appeared to intend to speak with her. Unfortunately, the heavy rain at that moment swallowed his words.
“Whom did you see? Mr. Mysterious? Is he still alive?” Aurora inquired, taken aback.
“Didn’t you say that he…” Remembering that the children were sleeping, Aurora immediately stopped.
“Estelle, is it possible that something here in Hadale is triggering memories of him?” Aurora inquired in a hushed tone.
“Perhaps. Mom, I’m going to bed,” Estelle responded, a bittersweet smile forming at the corners of her mouth.
Noticing Estelle’s subdued mood, Aurora offered her understanding, saying, “Alright. Get a good rest. I’ll take care of the kids. Don’t worry.”
Remembering Christina’s condition, Aurora went on, “Estelle, I realize this may sound selfish, but I genuinely believe that Christina is adding to your burden. If her condition can’t be treated, it might be a compassionate decision for both you and her to let go.”
“No,” Estelle denied instantly. “Mom, I must save her.”
“But she…”
“Mom, let’s not discuss it,” Estelle shook her head, her expression reflecting pain. “She’s the very reason I returned to Hadale. She holds immense significance to me. I can’t imagine life without her.”
Her words were accompanied by tears streaming down her cheeks.
Moved by Estelle’s emotional state, Aurora embraced her tightly and reassured, “Alright, alright. I understand. I realize that you’ve embraced Christina as your source of strength. Regardless of the cost, we’ll spare no effort to help her.”
Soon, silence settled in the room, punctuated only by the rolling thunder and the sound of pouring rain outside.
The rain on the day of Mr. Mysterious’ car accident three years ago had been even more intense than today’s.
When Estelle tried to catch Mr. Mysterious’s words, Geoffrey intervened by shoving her away from him using his cane.
When she attempted to approach Mr. Mysterious again, Geoffrey prevented her by pressing the end of his cane against his temple.
Nelson then inquired, “Miss Hudson, have you reached a decision? Any further delay, and even if I intend to, I might be unable to save him.”
Following Nelson’s statement, Geoffrey forcefully pressed his cane against Mr. Mysterious’ temple.
In response, Mr. Mysterious emitted an agonizing groan.
“No!!!” Estelle shouted.
Then kneeling on the ground with her eyes full of despair, she said, “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll do as you say and leave him!”
“Okay. I hope you can keep your word.”
“Will you save him if I leave Hadale?” Estelle asked, her anxiety flared up.
With a figure cloaked in black positioned behind him, holding an umbrella, Nelson gazed at Estelle composedly before breaking into an abrupt chuckle.
“Indeed,” he confirmed. “But if he can’t let go of you and attempts to find you after he wakes up, I will eliminate him again.”
“You…” Estelle began, her words trailing off.
“After you leave, you must not return to Hadale or seek any information about him,” Nelson laid out the terms. “If you follow these conditions, I will cancel the debts owed by the Hudson Group. Furthermore, I will provide assistance to help you resolve the mess your uncle left behind. Of course, your success will depend on your own abilities.”
Squeezing her lip between her teeth, Estelle pondered briefly and eventually agreed, “Fine, I assure you I will comply with your terms. Please save him immediately!”
“No need to rush,” Nelson commented. “In case of any unexpected situations, please leave him a letter for him. Miss Hudson, you’re smart enough. I trust you understand what to convey in the letter, don’t you?”
“I…”
Seeing her hesitate, Geoffrey quickly moved his stick from Mr. Mysterious’ temple and hit his left arm with it.
“No!”
A sharp scream broke through Estelle’s dream.
In the bedroom, Estelle woke up from her dream with sweat all over, and her head was splitting.
She still remembered how sad she was when she wrote the letter with her trembling hand. The letter full of cruel words began with “Dear Hunter” and ended with her signature.
Estelle took out a piece of tissue and wiped the sweat on her forehead, wondering if Mr. Mysterious had read the letter before he died.
‘Mr. Mysterious, did the doctor fail to save you, leading to your death? Or did you lose your will to live after reading the letter?’ she pondered.
She was more willing to believe the former possibility, hoping that Mr. Mysterious had never read that cruel letter Nelson had forced her to write.
“Estelle,” Aurora pushed the door open gently and asked, “Are you awake?”
“Mom…” Saying that, Estelle sat up slowly.
“Oh, dear! Your voice is so hoarse. You should have taken a hot shower before sleeping! And now, you caught a cold!”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t need to put on a facade of strength in my presence, sweetie,” Aurora expressed somberly, positioned beside Estelle’s bed. “I’ll head downstairs to buy some medicine for you. Oh, and Rebecca is here. It appears she wants to discuss something with you.”
“Alright,” Estelle agreed, rising from the bed.
After changing her clothes and tidying her hair, she opened the door and stepped outside.
Rebecca’s eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of Estelle’s fatigued appearance.
“Estelle, it’s only been a day since I last saw you. Why do you look so exhausted? What happened?” Rebecca inquired.