The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me

Chapter 220: Undisguised Disgust

Chapter 220: Unconcealed Disdain

It was all because Melissa was desperate to go skiing.

Tristan Sterling must have made arrangements in advance, but Rachel Royce, who was now with Melissa, could only book something last-minute online.

She booked a high-end hot spring hotel right next to a ski resort.

Rachel didn’t have any ski gear and would have to rent a set when she got there, but Melissa had brought all of hers.

It was inconvenient for her to take Melissa alone, and skiing would be more fun with more people, so she called June Jennings. Of course, June immediately agreed.

"Should I ask Peter? And you should ask my brother if he has time."

Rachel said, "Your brother probably doesn’t have time today."

Julian Jennings had an important event to attend in the afternoon. After spending some time in New York, he had a lot of work waiting for him now that he was back.

June sounded disappointed. "Oh, alright then! I’ll call Peter."

"Okay."

June called Peter Preston.

Ever since Peter’s company signed the valuation adjustment mechanism agreement, he had barely taken a break and had been constantly busy with work.

When she left the house today, Peter had also left for the office.

When June called Peter, Thomas Sterling happened to be there as well. In the end, they decided to drop their work and go relax for a bit.

June then called Julian Jennings. "Bro, what’s more important, work or getting a girlfriend?"

Julian knew they were going skiing and just said, "Have fun!"

June said earnestly, "Bro, even though Rachel isn’t divorced yet, you have to be ready at all times. She’s taken an interest in you, so as soon as she’s divorced, you two can get together. It’ll be perfectly natural! Look at how proactive Thomas is."

Julian laughed. "Alright, I get it. If I have time tomorrow, I’ll head over."

June said, "Now you’re talking. We’ll be in touch."

"Mm."

He hung up the phone.

Julian Jennings put down his phone and leaned back heavily in his office chair. He wasn’t actually worried about Thomas Sterling.

’After all, he’s Tristan Sterling’s cousin, a member of the Sterling Family. It’s impossible for Rachel to get together with him.’

’It’s just that Thomas can’t see it clearly yet and is still persisting. The more he indulges in this and refuses to give up, the more he’ll get hurt in the end.’

Around three in the afternoon.

The group arrived at the hot spring hotel.

Since the trip was a last-minute decision, they had to rent their ski gear.

After changing their clothes, they headed to the ski slopes.

Both Melissa and Stella knew how to ski, but to keep them from falling, Thomas Sterling and Peter Preston watched over them the entire time.

Rachel Royce held a camera, recording a video of the two children.

They skied for over an hour.

The sky began to darken.

After dinner, they rested for a while before soaking in the hot springs, and then everyone returned to their own rooms.

Rachel helped Melissa wash up, brush her teeth, and change into her pajamas. Afterward, Melissa propped herself up in bed and made a video call to Tristan Sterling.

Rachel went back into the bathroom to dry her hair.

She vaguely heard Melissa excitedly yelling, "Daddy!"

Rachel assumed it was just part of the video call, until the moment she finished drying her hair and turned off the hairdryer, she heard laughter coming from the room.

Stunned, Rachel walked out of the bathroom to see Melissa sitting on Tristan Sterling’s shoulders as he played around with her.

His eyes were filled with the gentle affection of a doting father.

’How did Tristan know they were here?’ The whole trip, Melissa hadn’t called him. A guess quickly formed in her mind: ’Melissa’s phone watch must have a GPS tracker.’

Rachel stood where she was, watching quietly.

Tristan Sterling set Melissa down on the bed, then looked at Rachel. The woman had just showered and was wearing a thin nightgown that faintly revealed her excellent figure. Her cheeks were especially rosy, likely from the recent bath.

"What are you doing here?"

Tristan said, "I told you I would take you skiing, so naturally, I came."

’But I made it perfectly clear to him that I would be taking Melissa for these two days. Then again, Tristan Sterling has always done as he pleases. Why would he ever take another person’s words to heart?’

’Still, Claire Ainsworth was crying so heartbrokenly today, yet he didn’t even stay to comfort her.’

"It’s late. Melissa needs to go to sleep."

Melissa suddenly asked, "Aunt Evelynn, can Daddy sleep with us?"

Rachel walked over to Melissa and said, "No, he can’t."

Seeing Aunt Evelynn’s stern expression, Melissa just said, "Oh," and didn’t dare say another word.

"Alright, time to lie down and sleep."

Melissa obediently lay down and pulled the covers up herself. Her big, round eyes gazed at Rachel, a pitiable look on her face as if she’d done something wrong and was begging for forgiveness.

Rachel’s heart softened. She sat on the edge of the bed and tucked the covers around her.

Tristan Sterling walked over, stroked Melissa’s head, and placed a kiss on her forehead. "See you in the morning," he said.

"Good night, Daddy."

"Good night."

Tristan straightened up, glanced at Rachel, and then turned and left the bedroom.

「The next day.」

Thomas Sterling arrived at Rachel’s bedroom door. Just as he was about to knock, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure up ahead out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his head and saw Tristan Sterling, completely unsurprised.

Last night, Rachel had told June Jennings that Tristan had arrived at the hot spring hotel. June naturally complained about it to Peter Preston, so Thomas knew he was here.

Tristan Sterling looked at him.

Thomas called out, "Cousin." His tone was clearly unnatural.

Tristan grunted in acknowledgment but said nothing else.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Rachel and Melissa had just finished getting ready.

A knock sounded at the door.

Rachel stood still as Melissa went to open it. Unsurprisingly, Tristan Sterling was standing in the doorway.

"Daddy, good morning."

Tristan squatted down and lifted Melissa into his arms.

Melissa saw Thomas Sterling and called out happily, "Mr. Ford, good morning!"

Thomas smiled warmly. "Good morning, Melissa."

Tristan looked at Rachel, who was standing motionless inside the room, and said, "Let’s go downstairs for breakfast first."

Rachel strode toward the door.

Melissa climbed down from her father’s arms and insisted on holding both their hands.

Thomas Sterling followed silently behind the three of them.

When they reached the elevators, June Jennings, Peter Preston, and Stella happened to be waiting there.

The moment Peter saw Tristan Sterling, his expression soured. The two men’s eyes met; Tristan offered a gentlemanly smile.

Peter, who always placed great importance on etiquette and propriety, gave no response. He simply averted his gaze, making it clear he had no intention of acknowledging him.

His disdain was unconcealed.

Tristan, however, remained as calm and composed as ever.

When June saw him, she offered a polite, perfunctory greeting, "Mr. Sterling."

Tristan Sterling nodded. "Hello."

June just gave a faint smile.

"Mr. Sterling, you came too," Stella said, her childish voice sounding very polite.

Tristan bent down slightly to look at Stella, his eyes gentle, and replied in a warm voice, "Yes, I’m here to ski with Melissa."

"Mr. Sterling is a good daddy."

Tristan smiled.

Melissa immediately chimed in, "My daddy is the best daddy in the whole world."

Hearing this, a flicker of pain appeared in Stella’s eyes. She lifted her little head to look at her mother.