The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 191: What’s with That Man?

Chapter 191: What’s With That Man?

She had, indeed, used all her strength that day.

’She recalled the look on his face that day. She hadn’t just exposed her relationship with Claire Ainsworth; she had hurt him, too. Knowing his vindictive nature, she’d been certain he would retaliate.’

But he hadn’t made a move, and President Hale hadn’t received any calls either.

Of course, she didn’t believe for a second that Tristan Sterling could just swallow his anger and pretend nothing had happened.

Rachel Royce was about to leave with Melissa.

Tristan Sterling walked over. "Let’s take Melissa to the hospital first."

Rachel Royce was startled and looked at Melissa.

Melissa looked at Rachel Royce and explained, "I suddenly started coughing today. Daddy said he’s taking me to the hospital to get checked out."

Rachel Royce looked up at Tristan Sterling, but ultimately said nothing. She turned to Julian Jennings. "In that case, Professor, why don’t you head to my house first?"

This morning, Julian Jennings and Peter Preston had discussed an investment for a new project. The two had lunch at a restaurant, and she had invited him over for dinner tonight.

Julian Jennings agreed, saying, "Okay."

Julian Jennings said goodbye to Melissa, then glanced up at Tristan Sterling. He offered a polite farewell, "Goodbye, President Sterling."

Tristan Sterling looked at him, giving a slight, cold nod. His handsome face was impassive.

Afterwards, Tristan Sterling drove Rachel Royce and Melissa to the hospital.

They had an appointment with a doctor. Once they arrived, the doctor examined Melissa. It was mainly due to the recent drop in temperature, as it was the height of flu season.

The doctor prescribed some medicine and gave them a few instructions.

As they were leaving the hospital, Rachel Royce got a call from Peter Preston.

"Mhm, we’re on our way out."

Earlier, when she had gotten into Tristan Sterling’s car, Rachel Royce had texted Peter Preston, asking him to come pick them up at the hospital.

After hanging up, Rachel Royce said to Tristan Sterling, "My brother is coming to pick up Melissa and me, so you don’t need to drive us."

Hearing her words, Melissa suddenly said, "Aunt Evelynn, Daddy has to go abroad for work tomorrow. Can we please have dinner with him?"

Rachel Royce froze.

’Tristan Sterling is going on a business trip abroad tomorrow?’

Tristan Sterling looked at Rachel Royce and said, "You need to take good care of Melissa while I’m abroad."

Rachel Royce looked at him, her brows furrowing. ’What a coincidence. I’m about to go abroad, and now Tristan Sterling is going on a business trip overseas too.’

"If you don’t want to, just say so," Tristan Sterling said.

Rachel Royce instinctively glanced down at Melissa, who was staring up at her with pleading eyes. She shot a glare at the man. ’She was certain that bastard was doing this on purpose.’

Rachel Royce said nothing, turning to Melissa instead. "Melissa, you’re coming to Aunt Evelynn’s house for dinner today."

"Can Daddy come too?"

"Your daddy can eat at home. We’re not taking him."

"Oh, okay then!"

Melissa waved goodbye to her daddy.

Rachel Royce took her hand and started walking, just in time to see Peter Preston heading their way. A middle-aged woman, Peter’s aunt, was with him.

"Rachel."

The woman’s eyes lit up when she saw Rachel Royce holding the hand of a beautiful little girl. "Rachel, this can’t be your and Mr. Jennings’s child, can she? She’s absolutely gorgeous!"

The Preston Family had heard whispers about Rachel Royce having had a child. However, the Royce Family had never said a word about her marriage, and Florence Preston had never mentioned it to them either.

Back then, Rachel Royce had gone abroad right after giving birth.

They all assumed Rachel Royce and her husband had gone abroad together with their child.

This aunt had only arrived in the afternoon. She’d heard that a handsome man, Mr. Jennings, had joined them for lunch, and that he and Rachel looked like a perfect couple together.

So she assumed that Mr. Jennings was Rachel’s husband.

Rachel Royce was shocked, wondering how on earth her aunt had come to that conclusion.

Peter Preston was also taken aback; he hadn’t expected his aunt to assume Melissa was Rachel and Julian Jennings’s daughter.

As he was about to explain, he happened to glance up and saw Tristan Sterling standing on the steps. The man’s expression was terrifyingly dark.

The middle-aged woman didn’t linger. "The doctor’s about to leave for the day," she said hurriedly. "We can talk later. My throat is killing me. I need to get some medicine from the doctor."

Rachel Royce replied, "Okay."

Peter Preston handed the car keys to Rachel Royce, then went with his aunt.

As the two of them walked toward the outpatient building, the middle-aged woman finally noticed the man who had been standing on the steps the whole time.

The moment she saw the man, she jumped. An inexplicable sense of guilt washed over her, and she quickly lowered her head and hurried inside.

Once they were a safe distance away, the woman asked Peter Preston, "What’s with that man? I think he was staring at us."

Peter Preston didn’t elaborate.

Rachel Royce took Melissa and got in the car first.

Rachel Royce took out her phone and sent a text to Peter Preston: "Peter, please have a word with our aunt. Let’s not have this turn into an embarrassing situation."

Peter Preston received Rachel’s message and understood what she meant. He replied: "I know."

「Half an hour later.」

Peter Preston and his aunt came out.

The group returned to Hillcrest Villa.

Because they had been warned in advance, the Preston Family knew not to bring up anything inappropriate in front of Melissa.

Still, Rachel Royce was worried.

After having a separate dinner with Melissa, she sent the girl to her room to play by herself for a while.

After finishing her own dinner, Rachel returned to the room.

Melissa was on a call with Tristan Sterling via her smartwatch. When she saw Rachel, Melissa held the watch out to her. "Aunt Evelynn, Daddy wants to talk to you."

Rachel Royce took the watch and told Melissa to go play with her puzzle. She then stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door behind her before speaking.

"Hello!"

Tristan Sterling’s voice came through. "Are you going to stay at Silvermist Bay to look after Melissa, or will you have her stay with you?"

’He was as domineering and self-centered as ever. With that high-and-mighty attitude of his, he expected everyone to bend to his will without ever needing to consider their feelings.’

Rachel Royce took a deep breath. "Tristan Sterling, please, next time you make a decision, have the decency to tell me beforehand."

Tristan Sterling said indifferently, "I already asked you today."

Rachel’s expression soured. "Do you think I can’t tell you’re doing this on purpose?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and then the man said, "I’m coming to pick up Melissa now."

Rachel Royce froze for a second. When she came to her senses, she practically spat his name through gritted teeth, "Tristan Sterling!"

The moment she spoke, the line went dead.

Rachel was so furious she wanted to throw the watch.

She struggled to control her breathing.

Letting the night wind cool her face, she gazed into the distance.

The moon was especially full tonight.

After a long moment, she calmed down.

She called him back.

But the man didn’t answer.

’What is he playing at?’

Just then, she heard a noise behind her.

Rachel Royce turned to look at Melissa. She walked over. "It’s cold outside. Melissa, hurry back inside."

"What did Daddy and Aunt Evelynn talk about?"

Rachel Royce returned the watch to Melissa. "Nothing much. Melissa, there’s something I want to talk to you about."

Melissa blinked her big eyes up at Rachel Royce. "What do you want to talk about, Auntie?"