Chapter 6
Rowena didn’t want anyone messing with her and Phoebe’s time together.
Phoebe pinched her cheek with a warm smile. “As long as our little princess is happy, that’s all that matters.”
Josh had a fleeting sense that something about all this wasn’t quite right. But when he saw the calm expression on Phoebe’s face, his doubt faded.
Vance always said Phoebe was special–not like other women.
And if she didn’t think Rowena had done anything wrong, then maybe it really wasn’t a big deal.
Besides, they’d be seeing Estela again soon anyway.
On the other end of the line, Estela stared at the red exclamation mark on her phone screen, stunned.
This was a phone she had specially set up just for the twins.
No one else used it. No one else had access.
She’d known their relationship had grown distant since they’d gone to Zrefast–but she never imagined they would block her.
Still worried, she called the housekeeper at the villa, the one in charge of the children’s daily care.
“Ma’am, the children are doing great,” the woman said cheerfully. “Right now they’re helping Ms. Silva try on
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dresses.”
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The mention of “Ms. Silva” hit Estela like a pin to the chest.
Those were her children–children she had nearly died bringing into this world.
And now, they were looking to another woman for comfort and care.
“As long as they’re okay,” she replied quietly.
She didn’t bring up the fact that her children had blocked her.
She knew their personalities–spoiled since birth, prone to sulking. Blocking her was just another form of acting out.
If this had happened before, she might have kept calling. Again and again. Refusing to give up.
But now. she found she no longer had the energy.
As long as they were safe and healthy, that was enough.
Whether or not they still saw her as their mother–that was no longer something she could control.
Two days later, Reggie was discharged from the hospital.
ce soon made the decision to return to Trurgh and expand the Leon Group’s presence there.
Before leaving, Rowena and Josh said their goodbyes to classmates at school.
The farewell gifts were chosen by Phoebe.
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1288 our hers But the kids who received them didn’t seem all that thrilled.
“Barbies and toy cars? These are kinda old now,” one of their closest friends muttered. “I liked those teddy bear cakes your mom made way better. Why didn’t you bring those?”
Rowena pressed her lips together.
Those teddy bear cakes were Estela’s specialty. They were complicated to make–Estela had burned her hands several times trying to get them just right.
But Phoebe didn’t know how to make them. ‘If only Mom were here.‘ Rowena thought.
Josh looked down too.
Ever since Rowena had blocked Estela’s number, she hadn’t called them once.
He hadn’t heard her voice in what felt like forever–and honestly, he kind of missed her.
Still, he’d be seeing her soon.
But if Estela was back, that probably meant less time with Phoebe.
Vance had no idea what the kids were thinking.
When the housekeeper called to inform him, she said, “Sir, Mrs. Leon hasn’t been back to the villa for over a week. Would you like us to let her know you’re returning?”
He frowned. His tone cooled immediately. “No need. If she’s not coming back, then clear out the master bedroom. I’ll be moving in there with Rowena, Josh, and Phoebe.”
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In the past, he’d only stayed in the marital home when visiting the children.
But since Estela insisted on giving him the cold shoulder, she had no business returning to that house.
Meanwhile, back in Trurgh, Estela had moved into her old apartment and started growing flowers on the balcony.
She wasn’t particularly skilled at gardening, but maybe it was the peace of being on her own–or simply being free from her marriage–that made everything feel lighter.
Her neighbor, Cleveland, was quick to scold whenever he saw her plants. “Girl, if you don’t know how to grow flowers, stop drowning them! They’re about to keel over!” he’d grumble, beard twitching with annoyance.
After stepping in to rescue the plants himself, another neighbor pulled Estela aside, smiling apologetically.
“Don’t mind the old man–he’s been extra cranky lately. Word is his grandson’s refusing to get married, and they had a big falling out. He stormed off and moved in here to cool down.”
Estela just smiled.
e Leon family had been steeped in strict rules and formality. She’d spent years tiptoeing around, doing everything to please them.
Cleveland might be grumpy and old–fashioned, but with his help, gardening suddenly felt more manageable.
Over time, the two formed an unexpected friendship, one that felt strangely comforting.
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That evening, Estela got a message from Delia Allison, her senior from university.
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