Chapter 20

Colten continued. “I’m not forcing you into anything. If you want to give him another chance, I’ll respect that. I do sincerely hope that you’ll find the happiness you long for. But Estelle, I also want you to remember that you’re not alone. No matter what happens, know I’ll always have you back.”

When her first child was infected with sepsis, she had no choice but to leave the US and return to her hometown. She tolerated all the insults, shame, and pain from Skyler, all in hopes for the three of them to reunite as a family. Furthermore, her baby was at a hospital in the US under the care of Colten at that time.

Estelle could not understand him. “But why?”

“What do you mean why?”

“Why me? A man like you should be able to find a much prettier and younger woman compared to me. Someone who’ll love you with all her heart and carry you a child who isn’t sick.” Estelle explained.

He looked as if he was brooding over her words, Colten then explained, “... It might be fate then.”

“But the thing with fate...is that it’s hard to grasp hold of what it means. When it dawns upon you, you can’t say for sure if it’s a good-fated or an ill-fated relationship.”

Colten was all the same well-mannered. “It’s okay. You can take the time to think about my proposal.”

Estelle continued. “I have cancer. It’s like a ticking time bomb. One minute I’m okay, the next, I could be dead.”

“Then you can at least live in peace. I’ll take care of your children.” Getting up from his seat, Colten comforted her while he gently stroked her hair. He sighed, “Estelle, don’t strain yourself too much. You’re only in your twenties, you’re young. You don’t have to pretend to be strong and composed. It’s okay to cry when you’re sad and it’s okay to admit you’re afraid.”

Looking up to meet his eyes, Estelle said, “It’s been so long since someone saw me as a young lady.”

“The first time I met you, you were a young lady who was alone, lost and strolling aimlessly down the streets in the rain. If it wasn’t for me, you’d have walked into the river.”

She recalled the events of her life when she was only twenty and thought how time flew by quickly.

Six years had passed. Time was a file grinding on her wounds in her heart, again and again, making her damaged heart even more disfigured.

Back then she allowed herself to be a wreck. However, she now lost the right to be that way.

It was because she was a mother of two kids. She was no longer alone and had to provide her warmth and love for her children.

“Director Howard, the kids…”

“Don’t worry. I was in the operation room just now and the surgery was successful. You should get some rest, and I’ll keep the children company.”

Feeling grateful, Estelle thanked him. “Thank you, Director Howard…”

“Estelle, do you know how many times you’ve thanked me the past few years?”

Estelle shook her head.

“Taking into account the one you said just now, it will be a total of 5276 times. We’ve known each other for six years, 2192 days. On average, you thanked me 2.5 times every day. Do you know what this means?”

“...What does it mean?”

“It means that I’m still a stranger to you.”

“No, it’s not that...I’m just..”

“If you saw me differently, you wouldn’t have to thank me. Say, did you constantly thank Skyler for everything?”

Estelle was lost for words.

Indeed, she did not constantly thank Skyler.

When she and Skyler were on good terms, she always demanded things. She knew he would have given her anything she wanted.

She felt a pressing pain in her heart as she thought about those memories.

She smiled helplessly. “When it comes to debating, how could I compete with the associate from the best law firm in the US.”

Lifting his lips into a smile, Colten said, “It’s good enough that you’re finally smiling. You’re beautiful when you smile, you should smile more.”

“Director Howard…”

“All right, I’ll stop teasing you. I’ll go check up on the kids.”

“Okay.”

Colten stood up and opened the door. He walked into someone by the door.