Darwin laughed cruelly, “I doubt you would have the courage to say these words by then, Miss Friesley.”
“So what are you gonna do to my wife exactly, Father?” A deep voice made Cristelle whip around to look ahead.
Linford was standing next to her. He walked briskly toward Cristelle, putting his hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
And then, his eyes diverted towards his Dad, cold and ungiving, “You brought my woman here without asking me again. How often do I need to remind you not to give her trouble?”
Darwin felt a bit humiliated as his son openly confronted him, hissing, “You know I’m doing this for the babies, Linford! Stop being such a child!”
Linford’s voice was harsh and cold, “They’re my babies. Their well-being is my responsibility. So don’t reach your hands too far. Take care of your own business if you still want me to respect you.”
With that, he pulled at Cristelle’s arm and walked away.
“You think you can protect her all the time, Linford?” Darwin snarled behind their back, “I’d like to see how you’re gonna do it!”
Linford suddenly stopped, turning to face the old man slowly, “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not Clyde, Dad. Your threat doesn’t work for me. As I said, you can’t interfere in my life; otherwise, I might forget you as my father!”
“You!” Darwin walked forth in anger.
Linford slammed the door in his face.
Linford took Cristelle out of this horrible place. Clara and Tanya had seen everything on the balcony, but they didn’t dare to say anything to stop Linford.
Cristelle was still a bit pale when she got out of the house. She pushed Linford away instantly when they walked out of the gate, “Thank you.”
Her head was in a mess right now. She barely even breathed after what happened inside, and she just wanted a little space of silence right now.
“It’s all my fault. I should’ve protected you and the kids,” Linford instantly apologized to her.
He held the door of his car open, letting Cristelle get in before going to the driver’s seat. He had come here instantly when he heard the news that Cristelle had been taken away. The driver was too slow. So he drove here by himself.
Cristelle looked a bit angry in the backseat, “Why didn’t you tell me the truth about what happened in school yesterday?”
“It’s just small things. You don’t need to worry about that,” Linford calmly explained to her. For him, those things were really not really a big deal. But the way he explained now irritated Cristelle instantly.
“Small things? My son and my daughter were bullied at school because of me. And you think it doesn’t matter?” Cristelle couldn’t even breathe when she thought about how much her children must have suffered in school. It broke her heart. She didn’t want her kids to be scared for the rest of their life.
Especially Candace. She had been called “little mute” in school. She was scared of strangers. She knew the whole thing would affect her daughter so much.
“I know having a mother like me will bring them shame,” Cristelle tried to hold back her tears, “But I’ll never leave them. I don’t care what your family will do to me, but I will fight for my children.”
“This is not your fault,” Linford was calm. He didn’t usually talk much and tended to stay detached when facing other people. But when he was with Cristelle, he was always gentle and caring, “I would never let anyone take the babies away from you. The babies won’t be happy without their Mom.”
Cristelle looked away, frowning, “Now you said these things, but your father is….”
“His opinion doesn’t matter. You don’t need to talk to any Bradley except me,” Linford was quite serious as he cut Cristelle’s words, “You needn’t answer my grandpa’s call from now on.”
Cristelle was lost for words. All her energy was drained after what she had been through inside Linford’s father’s house.
Her emotions often changed when she was with this man. She hated him for leaving her six years ago after that terrible night.
She knew they had been both innocent that night. She had taken him as Diego too. She even made the wrong guess when the babies were born. She could only blame herself for trusting people before.
Cristelle couldn’t stop thinking about those things that had happened before. It was the darkest moment of her life. She didn’t want to experience anything like that ever again.
“It’s okay, Cristelle,” Linford suddenly said, his voice gentle and caring, making her less anxious, “Nothing will happen again. I promise.”
Cristelle’s heart skipped a beat, but she soon lowered her gaze, “Do you still remember the last promise you made? Once you have a new wife, you must let me and my babies go.”
Linford looked at her over his shoulder, “I won’t have another woman ever again.”
Cristelle didn’t believe that. “You can’t say that so lightly. We both can’t predict what will happen in the future.”
“I know you don’t have much faith in this world. But you can always trust me,” Linford gently persuaded her.
Cristelle went silent. Thinking about her current situation and planning to run away, she is less worried about Cody. But Candace loved Linford so much. It would break her daughter’s heart if she insisted on leaving this man.
Alfred and Fritzi brought Candace to the gate of the company. Candace was laughing after Alfred told her a joke.
Cristelle looked worried as she stared at Candace’s chubby cheeks, “Candace really should eat less, especially desserts. It’s not good for her health.”
Linford stopped the car, nodding silently, “It makes sense. I’ll try to contain the amount she eats from now on.” He also worried about his daughter’s health.
“I’m so glad you’re here today, honey. Tell your Mom to come to visit my house with you when she’s free,” Fritzi lowered her body and left a kiss on Candace’s forehead.
Candace nodded. This lady had given her a lot of snacks today. She liked her so much.