Estelle asked, “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yes,” Estelle hesitated and continued, “If I leave, what are your plans? Will you find a stepmother for the children?”
Cristofer assured her, “Don’t worry. I won’t marry again in my life.”
Realizing they were straying from the main topic, Estelle got back on track, speaking softly, “If you don’t want me to help you with the shower, I won’t. But let me at least help you prepare, okay?”
Cristofer surprisingly agreed, turning his face away. “Fine. I hope this is the last time you insist against my will. You just need to move a chair to the bathroom and place it in the shower for me. I can handle everything else myself, and you don’t need to worry about the rest.” He avoided looking at her, afraid his heart would soften.
Estelle nodded with a resigned expression. “Alright, sit here and rest. I’ll call you once everything is ready.”
Estelle found a comfortable chair in the dining room, brought it into the bathroom, and positioned it in the shower stall. She double-checked to ensure Cristofer could easily shower while sitting. Afterward, she fetched clean clothes from Cristofer’s bedroom.
A few minutes later, she returned to the living room, addressing Cristofer, who was lost in thought in his wheelchair, “I’m done. Let’s head to the bathroom. If there’s anything I forgot to prepare, just let me know.
Cristofer nodded gently and skillfully maneuvered his wheelchair into the bathroom. He used the edge of the washbasin for support as he struggled to move his body and eventually settled onto the shower chair.
Estelle stood nearby, wanting to assist him. She extended her hand several times but retracted it each time, worried that her actions might bruise his pride.
Once Cristofer was seated on the chair, Estelle couldn’t resist asking, “Could you please check the water temperature? Let me know if it’s not right, and I’ll adjust it for you. It could be challenging for you to make adjustments while showering.”
“No need. Just help me move the wheelchair out of here. Afterward, you can go back to your room and rest,” Cristofer replied indifferently. He then began the slow process of removing his coat, taking his time to unbutton it. As he started on the first button of his shirt, he couldn’t help but glance at Estelle in the mirror and ask, “Is there anything else you need to do here?”
Estelle suggested, “Wrap your legs with this plastic wrap to protect the cast from getting wet.” She picked up a roll of plastic wrap from a nearby shelf. She remembered the doctor’s advice from earlier and had retrieved it from the kitchen when she went to the dining room.
Upon hearing Estelle’s suggestion, Cristofer was slightly surprised. He thought to himself, ‘Estelle, you always have creative solutions. Only you would think of such a unique way to protect the cast.’ He felt an emotional sigh welling up but suppressed any signs of a smile, not wanting to reveal his true feelings in front of Estelle. He quickly composed himself and said with a serious expression, “I can manage it myself.”
Today, Cristofer had uttered those words to Estelle numerous times. Hearing his response, Estelle didn’t insist on helping as she had before and simply nodded. Once she ensured he was sitting securely, she left the bathroom.
However, her concern for Cristofer didn’t dissipate. Instead of returning to her room or checking on the children, she silently waited outside the bathroom. She understood Cristofer well enough to know that he would be unlikely to ask for help even if something went wrong. Thus, she kept a close watch on him.
Ten minutes passed, and there was still no sound of water from the bathroom. Estelle couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What is he doing? Is he afraid of getting the cast wet and decided not to shower, perhaps?’
With a slight frown, she approached the bathroom door and listened for any signs of activity inside. After another five minutes passed without any water sounds, Estelle grew increasingly anxious. She gently knocked on the bathroom door and asked, “Are you okay? Do you need any help?”
Inside the bathroom, Cristofer removed his shirt and contemplated using the plastic wrap to protect his cast legs. While he possessed good practical skills, he had never tried anything like this before and was uncertain about where to begin.
Just as he was deep in thought, Estelle’s concerned voice came from outside, startling him. He hurriedly replied in an anxious tone, “I’m fine. I don’t need any help.”
However, he immediately regretted not locking the bathroom door earlier, fearing that Estelle might ignore his words and enter. After taking a moment to regain his composure, he decided to lock the door first. Struggling to stand up while gripping the edge of the bathtub, he failed to do so. It was difficult for him to leave the chair, let alone walk to the door. In his fear that Estelle might come in, he spoke loudly once more, “Just leave me be.”
But Estelle sensed that he was hiding something from her, deepening her worries. She asked, “May I come in?”
“No!” Cristofer replied firmly through clenched teeth.
Cristofer felt angry and frustrated, thinking, ‘Why did she suddenly return when I decided to move on from her? Why does she continue to act like she cares when she no longer loves me?’ His voice quivered with anxiety and sounded as if he were in great distress as he said harshly, “I said I don’t need help! Stay away from me!”
Growing increasingly anxious, Estelle tightly gripped the doorknob and prepared to rush into the bathroom at any moment. She threatened, “If you don’t let me in, I’ll call Luke to help you!”
“I told you I don’t need help, and whatever happens to me has nothing to do with you!” Cristofer responded coldly.
Frustrated by Cristofer’s refusal to let her in, Estelle concluded that he must have encountered an accident and was trying to hide it from her. She took a deep breath and said, “Cristofer, please tell me what’s happening. If you still refuse, I’ll break in!”
Estelle counted to three in her heart, turned the doorknob, and rushed into the bathroom. Cristofer realized he was too late to lock the door, so he hurriedly put on the shirt he had taken off, but it was still too late.
As Estelle entered, her eyes landed on Cristofer’s chest, where she saw the words “My Stars” beautifully tattooed in italics. Seeing this, Estelle was deeply moved, understanding that the stars referred to her and the children.