The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 30: Soon to Be a Father

Chapter 30: Soon to be a Father

When Madam Sterling saw them, she asked, "Is it taken care of?"

Thomas Sterling said, "It’s all taken care of. We really have my cousin-in-law to thank. I’ll have to treat her to a nice meal some other day."

Madam Sterling said, "That’s only right."

"..."

After saying goodbye to the elders, Rachel Royce put on her down jacket and left with Tristan Sterling.

The driver had already pulled the car up to the main entrance.

With one hand in his pocket, Tristan Sterling strode forward and got into the car.

The ground was slick from the recent rain.

A maid helped Rachel Royce slowly down the steps. By the time they reached the car, the driver had already opened the door. Rachel braced one hand on the car door and the other on the seat as the maid carefully helped her get in.

The man inside the car stared at his phone without looking away, texting someone.

Once Rachel Royce was in the car, the driver closed the door.

Then, the car slowly pulled away from the old mansion.

The car was silent.

Rachel Royce hesitated, but finally spoke up. She turned her head to look at the man and said, "It’s getting very difficult for me to get around now. I want to go stay at my family’s home."

Tristan Sterling’s phone screen went dark. In a tone that allowed no argument, he said, "You will stay at the villa until the baby is born. You’re not to go anywhere."

Rachel Royce froze, her fingers tightening unconsciously. ’Tristan definitely doesn’t want me at the villa for my own sake.’

"I can stay at the villa, but I need to hire my own nanny."

After Madam Sterling’s scolding, Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt had started cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning her room, but they always had a passive-aggressive attitude.

Tristan Sterling only glanced at her and said nothing, which she took as tacit approval.

Rachel Royce breathed a sigh of relief.

Back at the villa, Rachel Royce told Florence Preston about the matter, asking for her help in finding a reliable nanny.

Florence Preston said, "I wouldn’t feel right about just finding a nanny. How about this? I’ll come take care of you myself."

Rachel Royce said, "How could I let you do that? They need you at home. Besides, you and Dad are getting married in a month. You must have a lot to do."

Florence Preston said, "We can just hire a part-time cleaner for the house. The wedding doesn’t have to be extravagant; we’ll just have a dinner with both families. It’s not that much trouble. Look, I’ll talk it over with your dad and call you back."

Rachel Royce said, "Alright then."

Ten minutes later, Florence Preston called again to say she was coming to take care of her. Clearly, the decision had been made.

Rachel Royce couldn’t object any further. Besides, she really would feel more at ease with Florence Preston looking after her.

「The next day.」

During breakfast, Rachel Royce told Tristan Sterling that Florence Preston would be coming to take care of her.

Tristan Sterling didn’t object.

When Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt heard this, however, their expressions turned sour. But since the young master had agreed, they were in no position to say anything.

After breakfast, Tristan Sterling left.

Around noon, Zachary Dudley drove Florence Preston to the villa. She arrived with a suitcase and a hot lunch that she had prepared for Rachel.

"Miss Preston."

Rachel Royce was waiting at the front door to greet her.

"It’s cold outside. Get back in!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Rachel Royce led Florence Preston to her room. Since she needed someone to look after her at night, Florence would be staying in the same room.

This was Florence Preston’s first time at the villa. Rachel Royce’s ordinary bedroom wasn’t large, but at least it had a good orientation. It was no surprise that she and Tristan Sterling weren’t sharing a room.

Rachel Royce sat at the desk by the window to eat her lunch while Florence Preston unpacked her suitcase.

After she finished eating, Rachel Royce gave Florence Preston a tour of the villa, mainly sticking to the first floor.

When they reached the dining room, they saw Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt sitting and enjoying their lunch, acting as if they owned the place.

Florence Preston couldn’t help but frown at the sight.

Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt glanced over, rolled their eyes, and muttered passive-aggressive remarks.

Florence Preston knew Rachel Royce hadn’t been happy with the Preston family, but she never imagined that even the nannies would dare to bully her.

Florence Preston strode forward, about to say something fiercely, but Rachel Royce stopped her. "Miss Preston, let’s go outside for now."

Florence Preston was furious but didn’t say anything more and followed Rachel Royce back to the bedroom.

"They’re just two nannies. What gives them the right to treat you like that?"

Rachel Royce sat down, holding her belly. "Tristan Sterling tacitly approves of their behavior. For this last stretch of time, Miss Preston, it’s best if you just avoid them as much as possible."

’If a real conflict starts, Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt will go running to Tristan Sterling, whispering poison in his ear, and he might just make Miss Preston leave.’

’Madam Sterling may protect me, but it’s only superficial. She hasn’t truly accepted me.’

Florence Preston understood what Rachel Royce meant, and her eyes couldn’t help but turn red.

’If her father’s company hadn’t run into trouble back then, and if Peter Preston’s company hadn’t been unable to come up with the money, Rachel wouldn’t have had to suffer like this.’

Rachel Royce knew what Florence Preston was thinking and stepped forward to comfort her. "It’s alright, Miss Preston. I’ve come to terms with the outcome. Even though the result is humiliating, it’s a kind of closure for my past. I have no regrets. From now on, I’ll work hard to get better."

Florence Preston nodded, reached out to take Rachel Royce’s hand, and said, "Yes. We will both get better."

Florence Preston told Rachel Royce about Peter Preston’s company. The financing stage for a previously negotiated partnership was going very smoothly, and everyone was optimistic about the company’s prospects.

Rachel Royce was very relieved to hear it.

*

Tristan Sterling went to the Fitzwilliam estate.

But Mr. Fitzwilliam refused to see him. Samuel Fitzwilliam spoke with Tristan Sterling instead. As the two walked in the courtyard, Samuel said, "The old man gets more stubborn the older he gets. He used to admire you the most, saying you were more mature and steady than your older brother. In his heart, he believed you should be able to handle your family, marriage, and career perfectly. So his expectations for you were too high, and now he’s just a little angry."

Samuel Fitzwilliam had learned the cause of the matter from Jacob Archer.

Of course, having been raised with Mr. Fitzwilliam’s values, Samuel Fitzwilliam placed great importance on family harmony. That was why it was impossible for his political enemies to attack him through his family.

He could understand Mr. Fitzwilliam’s actions.

But from Tristan Sterling’s perspective, he had indeed been forced to marry his wife, so it was normal for him to harbor some resentment.

Tristan Sterling’s voice was flat as he said, "I have indeed disappointed Grandfather Fitzwilliam."

Samuel Fitzwilliam suddenly stopped walking and looked at Tristan Sterling seriously. "So what are your plans now? Are you planning to divorce her, or what?"

Tristan Sterling stared ahead and said in a low voice, "The baby will be born soon. Now is not the time for a divorce."

He did indeed plan to divorce Rachel Royce after she gave birth to the child.

But under the circumstances, the time wasn’t right.

He didn’t want to deal with the trouble she caused, nor did he want her to disrupt the rhythm of his work and life.

Samuel Fitzwilliam nodded. "You’re not one to be ruled by emotions. You’re about to be a father. You should think more about your unborn child when you do things."

He reached out and clapped him heavily on the shoulder.