The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 10: Don’t Make It Too Ugly

Chapter 10: Don’t Make Things Ugly

"What happened to your knee?" Julian Jennings asked.

Rachel Royce shook her head weakly, unwilling to explain. "It’s nothing," she said.

Julian Jennings didn’t press the issue.

The hospital room fell silent.

After a long moment.

Rachel Royce spoke up. "Professor Jennings, I want to take the baby and go abroad."

Julian Jennings looked at her and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Rachel Royce’s hand rested on her lower abdomen. Staring at the ceiling, she said, "I don’t feel safe leaving my child with the Sterling Family."

"The Sterling Family wants this child. How are you going to take her and leave?"

’He’s right.’

’How could I possibly get her away from them?’

’Madam Sterling values this child so much right now.’

’I have no way of taking her with me.’

Julian Jennings got up, walked over, and pulled the blanket up over her. "Alright," he said, comforting her, "don’t let your mind run wild for now. The most important thing is to rest, recover, and take care of yourself."

Ian Quinn and a nurse came in.

The nurse was there to apply medicine to Rachel Royce.

The two men left the room.

Ian Quinn asked, "What happened between her and Tristan Sterling today?"

Julian Jennings said, "I’m not sure."

Ian Quinn sighed. "Looks like Rachel Royce is about to be thrown out by Tristan Sterling. Guess who I saw him with today?"

Julian Jennings looked at him.

Ian Quinn smiled slyly. "Take a guess."

Julian Jennings stared at him without speaking.

Ian Quinn nudged him with his arm. "Come on, guess!"

Julian Jennings withdrew his gaze, not bothering to humor him.

"Don’t be childish."

Ian Quinn didn’t keep him in suspense any longer. "The eldest daughter of the Ainsworth Family from MK Group, Claire Ainsworth."

Julian Jennings’s expression didn’t change at the news. Astonished, Ian Quinn stared intently at his face, scrutinizing his every feature.

Julian Jennings placed a hand on his friend’s face and pushed him away. "Don’t get your spit on me," he said with disgust.

"You really have no reaction at all."

Julian Jennings shot him a sidelong glance, the kind you’d give an idiot.

Ian Quinn was completely floored. He sighed, "I give up. Leave it to our righteous Professor Jennings, a true gentleman through and through. You rejected Miss Ainsworth, but Tristan Sterling is treating her like a precious treasure."

"..."

The nurse opened the door and came out.

Rachel Royce decided to stay in the hospital for the night.

Julian Jennings hired a caregiver to look after her.

Knowing she hadn’t eaten yet, he ordered dinner to be delivered for her. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Julian Jennings gave Rachel Royce a few more words of advice, then left the hospital with Ian Quinn.

After a night’s rest at the hospital, Rachel Royce felt her energy return. A nurse had applied ointment to her knee, a task made difficult for Rachel by her pregnant belly.

Julian Jennings came to see her early in the morning, bringing breakfast.

"How are you feeling?"

Rachel Royce smiled, her complexion much rosier. "I’m fine now, thank you, Professor."

"Good. Eat your breakfast first."

Rachel Royce ate her breakfast.

Julian Jennings gave her a black down jacket he had brought. "It’s cold outside. Wear this for now."

The down jacket was his, and on her, it was now a perfect fit.

They left the hospital.

And got in the car.

Rachel Royce needed to go back to Silvermist Bay Villa. She had to get her luggage and phone; she could no longer continue living there.

When they arrived at the villa.

It was already nine o’clock.

’Tristan Sterling should be gone by now.’

Julian Jennings dropped her off and left; he had an important meeting to attend.

Rachel Royce said goodbye to him.

She entered the house.

And saw Tristan Sterling coming down the stairs. He hadn’t gone to the office yet.

Rachel Royce froze in place. She looked up at the man’s handsome, expressionless face, her heart seized by a belated fear. He descended the stairs one step at a time, his aura intimidating. Every step seemed to land on her heart, making it hard to even breathe.

The man reached the bottom of the stairs but showed no intention of acknowledging her.

Rachel Royce suddenly said, "I lost control of my emotions last night."

’Julian Jennings was right; antagonizing Tristan Sterling wouldn’t do me any good. It’s only for two more months, anyway. A peaceful divorce is for the best. Don’t make things ugly.’

"I can finish the documents today, and I’ll complete the handover as soon as possible."

Tristan Sterling just gave her a cold glance without answering and walked straight toward the dining room.

After he left.

Rachel Royce let out a breath and walked to the sofa. Her eyes fell on the stack of files she had tossed into the trash. She sat down, put the bin on the coffee table, and retrieved the papers before placing the bin back on the floor.

She leafed through the documents. ’They’re all outdated files. He was just trying to punish me by making me sort them.’

Rachel Royce took the files and went back to her room.

The door was still locked.

She went to the dining room to find Lisa Lawson.

Lisa Lawson glanced at Tristan Sterling. He said nothing, giving his tacit approval. Lisa Lawson walked toward Rachel Royce, shooting her a vicious glare.

Rachel Royce entered the room.

She picked up her phone and saw several missed calls from Florence Preston and her father.

Rachel Royce called Florence Preston directly.

"Why didn’t you come back last night? You weren’t answering your phone! We were worried sick."

Rachel Royce made up an excuse, not wanting them to worry.

"I’ll be back tonight."

Florence Preston didn’t press further. "Alright, then."

After hanging up.

Rachel Royce changed her clothes. She would have to return the jacket another day. Clutching the documents and wheeling her luggage, she prepared to head to the company.

Just as she reached the living room,

She heard Frances Wyatt’s respectful voice. "Mrs. Sterling, you’ve arrived. Sir is still dining."

Rachel Royce’s steps faltered. She saw Sylvia Shannon, exuding an air of nobility in her cashmere coat. As she took it off, Lisa Lawson received it with both hands.

Sylvia Shannon saw Rachel Royce.

Rachel Royce snapped back to her senses, walked forward, and greeted her, "Mrs. Sterling."

’She recalled a time when she had called her "Mom" in private. The woman’s face had gone cold. "In front of others, fine. But in private, don’t call me Mom. I still haven’t accepted you as my daughter-in-law."’

Just then.

Tristan Sterling came out of the dining room. Seeing Sylvia Shannon, he asked, "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Sylvia Shannon said, "Go on, take care of your business. I need to have a word with her."

Tristan Sterling didn’t say much and went upstairs.

Sylvia Shannon sat on the sofa.

Rachel Royce stood before her, silently waiting for the scolding to begin.

Sylvia Shannon glanced coldly at her protruding belly and said, "You may be carrying Tristan’s child, and it’s true that Madam Sterling cares about this great-granddaughter, but that doesn’t give you the right to throw your weight around here."

Rachel Royce listened silently with her eyes lowered. ’It must have been Lisa Lawson who tattled on me,’ she thought.

"Look at you, from head to toe. What part of you is worthy of Tristan? And you still don’t know how to behave yourself." Her tone was harsh, filled with undisguised anger and disgust.

’The more I look at her, the more irritating she is. I can’t believe my son married a woman like this and had a child with her.’

’If Madam Sterling didn’t care so much about this granddaughter, I would never have agreed to let her keep the baby.’

Rachel Royce’s fingers tightened into fists, but she kept her head lowered obediently, not offering a single word of rebuttal.

Lisa Lawson, standing to the side, fanned the flames. "She probably thinks she can ride on her child’s coattails. She even dares to talk back to the Young Master now."

Sylvia Shannon’s face darkened as she stared at Rachel Royce. "As if you’re worthy!"

Frances Wyatt brought over tea and snacks. "Mrs. Sterling, please calm down. Don’t let someone so ungrateful ruin your health."

"Rachel Royce, I’m warning you. If you cause any more trouble, you’re out the moment that baby is born!"

"..."

Rachel Royce finally looked up, her eyes turbulent with emotion. "It’s true, I’m not fit for the position of the young Mrs. Sterling... Ah!"

Just as she began to retort, Sylvia Shannon picked up a teacup and threw the tea directly in her face.

Tristan Sterling, coming downstairs, happened to witness this exact scene.