Estela sat quietly on a bench outside the hospital.
Though the March wind still carried a bite, the bare branches above had already begun to bud with spring’s promise.
Her gaze gradually sharpened and steadied.
Delia had told her that with or without a test, no one at Allison Group would dare question her return.
But Estela had chosen this path herself–and now that she had, she wasn’t turning back.
Delia’s voice softened. “Smile. I can’t wait to see you come back.”
A soft smile bloomed on Estela’s face just as a ray of sunlight filtered through the branches, falling across her features. The light wrapped around her, making her look warm, radiant–alive.
*****
On the tenth floor, a man stood by the tall window, lazily lighting a cigarette with one hand.
“Who was she on the phone with?” he muttered, watching her smile.
That smile… It made people jealous.
*****
“Estela!” A little girl’s cheerful voice rang out as she hopped out of the car and ran toward Estela, her soft voice bright with excitement.
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Chapter 221
“Delia, I’ll call you back later,” Estela said into the phone, ending the call. She looked up and waved at the child with a warm smile. “Callie? What are you doing here? Did they transfer you to a different hospital?”
Callie ran straight into her arms, and Estela caught her with ease, brushing her hand gently over the child’s hair.
Callie grinned, flashing a full set of baby teeth, and then glanced instinctively up toward the tenth floor. “Nope! I’m here to visit my Uncle. He’s sick!”
Estela playfully pinched her chubby cheek and said teasingly, “Oh, the Uncle who won’t get married, right?”
Callie nodded like a bobblehead, looking troubled. “Yep, that’s the one! Estela, now that you’re getting divorced, can you go on a blind date with my Uncle? He’s really handsome–like, the most handsome man in all of Qore!”
Callie was clearly working hard to sell Spencer.
Estela crouched down, pulling her into a gentle hug. “And how do you know I am getting divorced?”
“Estela, your husband’s mean to you! If he treats you badly, why stay with him?” Callie asked seriously, tilting her little head, trying to make sense of it all.
Estela couldn’t help laughing at Callie’s blunt honesty. “You make a good point.”
Callie’s face lit up with excitement. ‘Yes! Estela really is getting divorced! Victory!‘ she thought.
*****
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16:46
Chapter 22
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Meanwhile, Josh had called Estela several more times–but not a single call went through.
This was the first time since he got a phone that Estela had refused to answer him. And she wasn’t just ignoring him once–she was repeatedly rejecting his calls!
He felt a lump in his throat as he walked out of the hospital, a little heartbroken. only to see Estela just ahead, smiling softly as she held that annoying Callie in her arms.
That was the kind of smile she used to save just for him and Rowena.
His small fists clenched. He straightened his back and strutted past them like he didn’t see anything.
Estela saw him and called out instinctively, “Josh?”
But Josh ignored her completely and marched on with his head high.
Whenever he was upset before, Estela would always try every trick to
coax him.
And now? He’d seen it. She was carrying her usual food container–the one she used to bring him and Rowena soup.
‘So she did make soup today. She just didn’t make it for us,‘ he thought. ‘She’s really got nerve this time. If she doesn’t apologize first, I am not going to forgive her.‘
And unless she agreed to make soup for Phoebe every day for a month, he wasn’t letting it go.
But when he got to the end of the hall. she still didn’t call after him.
His act was starting to crumble.
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Chapter 22
He turned back, just in time to see Estela hugging Callic one last time, waving her goodbye as she walked toward the car with the food container in hand.
“Mom! You’re not allowed to leave!”
Josh couldn’t take it anymore. He ran forward and grabbed her hand.
Estela gently pulled away, her smile gone. “What is it?”
*****
“Phoebe can’t eat because of you! You’re being selfish!” he accused.
“Oh? She has a crush on me or something?” Estela raised a brow, voice dry.
Josh froze, face going red. “She definitely doesn’t! Stop being so full of yourself!”
“Go to her right now,” he snapped. “She wants your soup. You should apologize too. Phoebe is super nice–she’ll forgive you!”
His eyes fell to the container in her hand, and he reached for it again.
But Estela saw something in his gaze–and suddenly, everything clicked.
She took a step back, dodging his hand.
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