“I know, Jack. You don’t need to explain anything.”
Cristelle knew what influence a corrupt politician could bring to a family. She had learned the hardest way a couple of years ago. Any sane person would take action and protect his family.
It was just that she missed Cody and Candace. She missed them too much.
In the black car, Cristelle stared out of the window. She knew she would never be able to see the babies after turning Lana down.
A sharp horn blasted across the road. Cristelle was startled by the sound.
She heard Jack curse under his breath. And then, their car was just forced to stop. When they pulled over by the roadside, Jack received a call, “Yes, Linford. What the heck are you doing? And how did you find us?”
Linford?
Cristelle’s heart jumped.
Was he here right now?
Jack looked rather pissed off when he restarted the car. When the car drove down the road again, Cristelle found that they were driving toward Linford’s mansion.
Jack got off the car furiously, and he walked toward Linford, who was leaning against his car, what the heck is this?
Linford, however, didn’t even bother to look in his direction. His eyes were all on Cristelle, “I didn’t scare you, did I?”
Cristelle almost cried as she heard Linford’s voice again. But she managed to calm down instantly.
She lowered her gaze as she got out of the car. She was out of words for him.
“Linford, how did you find us?” Jack couldn’t figure it out. He had been cautious enough. He couldn’t believe that Linford could find him so easily.
Linford didn’t explain anything as he took Cristelle to his room.
Across the wide table, they sat face to face. The silence was long and dense.
Linford tried to look into Cristelle’s eyes, but Cristelle didn’t even want to hold his gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
That was the first thing Linford uttered.
Cristelle remained her eyes on the floor, “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Tears rolled down silently on her cheeks as she talked.
Linford leaned over to grab her some tissues. But Cristelle didn’t take the tissues from his hand, wiping her tears with the back of her hand silently.
It broke Linford’s heart to see her being like this.
Linford sat back in his chair.
He was lost in a trance for the first time, and his mind went blank.
He sat there tongue-tied for a couple of minutes before opening his mouth again, and he sounded almost like he was begging, “Cristelle, would you trust me again?”
Cristelle took a deep breath, “I don’t think trusting you can solve any problems now, Linford. If you were a trustworthy person, you wouldn’t have had that baby with Lana. I didn’t know that happened when you were drunk or sober. But you’re gonna marry her anyway. I’m not against your wedding with that woman, Linford. I really won’t stop it. I just want my babies to be safe and happy.”
Wasn’t she against it?
Linford smiled bitterly, deflated like a balloon, gradually losing air.
Cristelle was clearly emotionally exhausted. She probably didn’t know what she was talking about.
Linford cleared his throat and explained calmly, “We’ve never done it. The baby is also not mine. We just need time to prove it. Cristelle, could you wait before I get everything solved? After this problem has been dealt with, I will bring the babies back to you. So we will be happy again.”
The babies…
“How are Candace and Cody now? I heard they tried to run away. You must find them and protect them. I don’t have anything else to ask from you except this one thing. I want my babies to be safe.”
****
“Sir Franco,” Jack was clenching his phone nervously against his ear, “Bad news. Linford found Cristelle and took her away.”
Pop sighed, “I knew he would find her sooner or later.”
“Sir, what should we do now? Should we take Cristelle away forcefully?”
“No! It won’t be wise if anyone gets hurt,” Franco frowned, pacing back and forth in his room, “Just come back soon.”
“You won’t even let me try another way?” Jack sighed.
“You don’t have to. Just come back and keep the babies safe. They are the most important people in my life.”
****
“The problem in the house has not been fixed yet. You can’t go back right now. Just stay here for a couple of days. I will take you back when things are over,” Linford said calmly.
Cristelle refused to look into his eyes, “I don’t care about other things. I only care about my babies. Make sure to keep them safe.”
Linford noticed from her behavior that she didn’t trust him anymore. But he wouldn’t force her to trust him at this moment until he could prove his innocence.
“I’ll take care of our babies, and I’ll also take care of you,” Linford stared at her sadly, sounding firm.
But how should she trust him again? Lana was pregnant with his baby, and the result proved it.
“Would you bring the babies here sometime so I can see them?” Cristelle raised her face.
“Of course,” Linford nodded instantly.
“That’s so nice of you,” Cristelle said politely. The sudden distance between them drove Linford crazy and shattered his heart into pieces.
He was disappointed so much when Cristelle treated him like a stranger.
Was he that untrustworthy of her?
A knock on the door brought Linford to stand up.
“Linford, sir Franco demands to see you.”
It was Jack.
Linford instantly frowned, glancing at Cristelle’s sidelines.
Cristelle’s voice was gentle, urging him, “You probably should go back to see them now. Just don’t forget to bring my children with you next time.”
Linford’s shoulders dropped, and he sadly walked out of the door.
It turned out that Mrs. White and Lana went to visit Franco again.
When Linford walked into the parlor, Lana stood up from her chair immediately, the smile on her face was wide and bright, “Linford? We’ve been waiting for you.”
Linford nodded politely before taking his seat, “I’ve been going out to handle some business. Sorry for being late.”
Mrs. White cast him a look, “Well, since you’ve come back, let’s discuss the wedding together then.”
Discussing the wedding? They really couldn’t wait anymore, could they?
Linford chuckled coldly.
“Tomorrow is a great day. Why don’t you go with Lana to pick up her wedding dress?”