Observing the sweat on his forehead and his grim expression, Estelle hesitated for a moment. She sighed and replied, “Alright, do it yourself. Just be careful.”
“Mm..” Cristofer responded expressionlessly with a nod. However, as he tried to stand up using the crutches Estelle had recently purchased for him, he lost his balance and almost fell backward.
Estelle was alarmed by this sudden movement but quickly reached out to support him, preventing him from hitting the ground and enduring further pain.
The driver rushed over, concerned, and suggested, “Mr. Hans, it’s not easy for you to get into the car on your own. Would you like Mrs. Hans or me to assist you?”
The three children inside the car were frightened by the near fall and remained silent.
After stabilizing Cristofer, Estelle anxiously asked, “Are you alright? Do your legs hurt? Should we go back to see the doctor? If your bones are broken or dislocated again, it could lead to permanent damage!”
Cristofer’s face was visibly pale, and he was still shaken by the near accident. Clenching his teeth, he reassured her, “I’m fine. I don’t need to see a doctor again.”
Cristofer thought, ‘I’ve just left the doctor’s office. If I go back now, the doctor and the nurses will see me as weak and incapable. I don’t want that.’
Estelle noticed Cristofer’s pride and reluctance to accept help. She thought to herself, ‘So many years have passed, but Cristofer is still as proud as ever.’
Without further words, Estelle extended her arm towards Cristofer to help him get into the car. Cristofer wanted to try entering the car by himself again, but his current condition didn’t allow it. Additionally, the presence of the three children made him anxious about embarrassing himself again. Therefore, he reluctantly accepted Estelle’s help, placing his hand on her shoulder instead of her arm, fearing she might not bear his weight.
Estelle cautioned him to be careful. When Cristofer put his hand on her shoulder, she assumed he was losing balance, causing her to use both hands to support him instinctively. In the process, she accidentally held onto Cristofer’s hand, which was gripping the door handle. Both of them were momentarily stunned by the unexpected contact.
Cristofer was so taken aback that he almost stumbled forward into the car. Fearing he might get hurt again, Estelle summoned all her strength to assist him into the car, regardless of whether she could bear his weight. Following this, she helped the driver fold the wheelchair and store it in the vehicle’s trunk.
Her swift actions surprised the driver, who hadn’t anticipated that someone as petite as Estelle could possess such remarkable strength. Cristofer, seated in the car, experienced a flood of mixed emotions. When he was with Estelle in the past, he had always been determined to prevent her from performing physically exhausting tasks. Witnessing her competence in handling such duties now left him feeling somewhat melancholic.
Sitting in the car, Cristofer couldn’t help but reflect on Estelle’s capabilities. He pondered, ‘Did you always perform such physically demanding tasks while you were abroad, Estelle? Even with your mother’s assistance, taking care of the children must have been challenging. During the three years when you were overseas, the hardships transformed you from a little princess into a supermother. When you were fighting to survive, I did nothing to help you. I owe you more than you owe me.’
After placing the wheelchair in the car’s trunk, Estelle wiped her forehead with her hand. As she was about to enter the car, she noticed Cristofer staring at her intensely. Confused, she asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Her question snapped Cristofer out of his thoughts. His expression changed suddenly, and he turned away, leaning against the car door with a cold look.
Estelle stood there, surprised by his reaction, wondering if she had done something to upset him.
To break the awkward moment, the driver gently reminded her to get in the car. Estelle acted as if nothing had happened and quickly got in. After ensuring the kids had their seat belts on, she asked the driver to start the car. On the way home, both Estelle and Cristofer remained silent, like they couldn’t speak.
When they arrived home, Luke asked about Cristofer’s condition and treatment, showing concern.
“The doctor fixed my bones. He said I’ll get better soon,” Cristofer replied calmly, just like usual.
Seeing Cristofer hide his true condition and only share positive news, Estelle didn’t expose him in front of Luke. To reassure Luke, she said, “Uncle Luke, don’t worry. The doctor mentioned that Cristofer will be fine with some rest and recovery.”
Initially, Luke had doubts about Cristofer’s statement. However, hearing Estelle’s words, he sighed with relief and smiled, saying, “That’s a relief. Estelle, you’ve had a busy day and must be tired. You can go rest. I’ll take care of the kids; they need a shower after coming back from the hospital.” He then called a maid to help with the children’s bath.
With only Estelle and Cristofer left in the living room, they exchanged silent glances. Noticing that Cristofer’s shirt was soaked with sweat, Estelle remarked, “Are you feeling warm? Your shirt looks quite damp.” She mentioned it subtly, pretending not to know the reason for his excessive sweating.
Cristofer responded in a disinterested tone, “It’s not a big deal. I’ll take a shower later.” He had a strong preference for cleanliness, and the damp shirt made him uncomfortable at the moment, prompting his desire for a shower.
Seeing Cristofer still holding onto his stubbornness, Estelle tried to reason with him, saying, “Isn’t it my concern? Why do you insist on this attitude? The doctor clearly said that the cast can’t get wet, and given your current condition, you can’t shower on your own. If you accidentally get injured again, all the previous treatment will be for nothing. Let me help you.”
Cristofer remained stubborn, saying, “I can manage to clean myself.” Then, he brought up the same reasoning Estelle had used in the past to reject her, “After all, we’re divorced… We should maintain some distance from each other. As you’ve mentioned before, we have no connection anymore, and we’re only living under the same roof for the sake of the children…”
Hearing Cristofer’s words, Estelle felt helpless. “Yes, I did say that before. But…”
Cristofer interrupted her, saying, “There’s no need to discuss this now, and you don’t owe me any explanations. I used to be too stubborn and reluctant to let you go. Don’t worry, I won’t force you back into a relationship with me. You’re free to leave and start a new life or a new relationship if that’s what you want. I won’t stand in your way. However, as your ex-husband, I’d like to remind you that Victor isn’t a good man, and he’s not good enough for you. If you decide to start anew, consider choosing someone else.”