The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 33: I Hope You Can Assume Family Responsibility
Chapter 33: I Hope You Can Take on Your Family Responsibilities
After lunch.
Julian Jennings knew Tristan Sterling and Mr. Fitzwilliam had things to discuss, so he excused himself and left with the other leaders.
Mr. Fitzwilliam and Tristan Sterling strolled for a while. After they had walked some distance, Mr. Fitzwilliam asked, "Have you thought of a name for the child?"
Tristan Sterling said, "I’ll wait for the baby’s specific time of birth to decide."
Mr. Fitzwilliam said, "No matter what you’re doing now, the child is innocent. You’re already a person with social responsibilities. Grandfather Fitzwilliam hopes you can take on your family responsibilities as well."
In his heart, he still hoped that Tristan Sterling would recognize his mistakes and correct them.
"If matters of marriage and love aren’t handled well, it will affect your entire life. Of course, you’re still young, successful in your career, and you have a girl you like. You’re headstrong and think you can solve anything. I’m sure you don’t want to hear this, but as someone with experience, Grandfather Fitzwilliam is just reminding you: passion is fleeting. A lifetime is about steady, mutual support. In any case, I can’t control what you do. Just make sure you can accept all the future consequences."
Tristan Sterling listened intently, his expression as faint as ever, revealing little of his emotions.
"Grandfather Fitzwilliam, I understand what you’re saying."
Mr. Fitzwilliam glanced at him, not caring whether he truly understood or was just feigning it, and said no more.
The two of them continued chatting as they walked.
Mr. Fitzwilliam was ready to head back.
Jacob Archer drove the car over.
Tristan Sterling saw Mr. Fitzwilliam into the car and stood watching the vehicle drive away before turning to leave.
After lunch, Rachel Royce went downstairs for a walk.
The brilliant golden ginkgo leaves had completely withered. Only a few scattered leaves clung precariously to the branches.
She happened to run into Julian Jennings, who was returning from the cafeteria.
Seeing he was alone,
Rachel Royce asked, "Professor, where’s Mr. Fitzwilliam?"
Julian Jennings replied, "Mr. Fitzwilliam had something to attend to, so he left early."
Rachel Royce murmured an "Oh."
Julian Jennings walked with Rachel Royce for a while.
Nowadays, Rachel Royce couldn’t walk far without needing to sit and rest. There happened to be a swing set ahead, so she went over, sat down, and gently swung herself.
Julian Jennings leaned against a nearby pillar, chatting with her idly.
"By the way, there’s a concert on Saturday. You and Joanna Sutton could go."
Rachel Royce said, "That sounds nice. We can let the baby cultivate some taste in music."
Julian Jennings’s gaze swept over her belly. "I bet it will be a very smart baby."
Rachel Royce caressed her stomach and clearly felt a movement.
Julian Jennings asked, "What’s wrong?"
Rachel Royce smiled. "She really is a clever little one. She got excited hearing you praise her."
"Is that so! She’s going to be quite something then."
"..."
Just then, a Bentley slowly drove past them on the sycamore-lined road, heading toward the campus gate.
The man sitting inside, talking on the phone, let his gaze fall on the two figures in the distance before indifferently looking away.
「In the afternoon.」
Julian Jennings left the university.
Around three o’clock, Rachel Royce went to the yoga studio. Even with her large belly, she could still do some light exercise.
Florence Preston had gone over early to wait for her.
She returned to the villa in the evening.
Tristan Sterling wasn’t back.
Recently, he had been home every night.
Rachel Royce didn’t think much of it.
Back in her room, just as she was getting ready to rest, a knock sounded at the door.
Florence Preston went to open the door and saw Lisa Lawson standing there. Lisa Lawson said, "The Young Master is looking for her."
After saying that, Lisa Lawson turned and left.
Florence Preston looked back at Rachel Royce, walked over, helped her up from the bed, and put a coat on her.
Tristan Sterling was in the upstairs study.
Rachel Royce took the elevator upstairs, walked to the study, and knocked before entering. Tristan Sterling was on a work call.
Rachel Royce walked in slowly, supporting her lower back.
Tristan Sterling said a few more words to the person on the other end and then hung up.
Rachel Royce stood before him. Tristan Sterling asked, "What is your relationship with Julian Jennings?"
Rachel Royce was taken aback, not knowing why he would suddenly ask this question. She answered, "He was my graduate advisor."
Tristan Sterling said, "So you know Mr. Fitzwilliam?"
Rachel Royce replied, "Mr. Fitzwilliam was Professor Jennings’s mentor. I knew him from before as well."
Tristan Sterling: "Mr. Fitzwilliam has been going to the university a lot recently."
Rachel Royce looked at the man, not understanding the meaning behind his sudden questions. His handsome face showed no emotion, which made her feel an inexplicable sense of unease. She said, "Mr. Fitzwilliam has been coming to the university recently to have me read the newspaper to him."
Tristan Sterling knew she was at the university now.
Tristan Sterling gave her a deep look with his dark eyes, then averted his gaze. Without asking anything further, he said, "You can leave."
Rachel Royce hummed a soft "Mhm" and said, "You should get some rest soon, too." With that, she turned and left, supporting her back.
Back in the bedroom.
Florence Preston asked worriedly, "What did he want to talk to you about?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Rachel Royce said, "Nothing much. He just asked about what I do at the university."
Florence Preston was puzzled. "Why would he suddenly ask about your work out of the blue?"
Having only stayed here for a few short days, she had personally witnessed Tristan Sterling’s coldness toward Rachel Royce. The two of them were truly like complete strangers.
Rachel Royce just shook her head slightly, not overthinking it.
Rachel Royce had finished all her work this week. Her physical condition now made it inconvenient to continue working.
「Around two in the afternoon on Saturday.」
Joanna Sutton called her.
The two had arranged to meet up, so Florence Preston didn’t accompany her.
Zachary Dudley drove her directly to the concert hall. Joanna Sutton was already there waiting for her. When they met, Joanna Sutton looked at her and said, "Your belly has gotten even bigger! You must be due soon!"
Rachel Royce replied, "The due date is in a month."
Joanna Sutton stepped forward, took her arm, and placed a hand on her belly. "Let’s cultivate some taste for this little one today."
Rachel Royce smiled.
The two entered the concert hall. The seats were very spacious, so Rachel Royce didn’t feel cramped even when she sat down.
Joanna Sutton said, "The artists performing today are all from the national troupe. My favorite soprano, Teacher Holt, is even among them."
The people gradually filling the front row were clearly of high status.
She and Joanna Sutton were sitting in the fifth row. As they were chatting, Joanna Sutton remarked, "Quite a few leaders showed up today."
Suddenly, a familiar figure came into view. Looking up, she saw Tristan Sterling, as well as Claire Ainsworth’s older brother, Suzanne Sullivan.
Suzanne Sullivan seemed to notice the two of them and glanced in their direction.
Joanna Sutton’s eyes met Suzanne Sullivan’s gaze. She couldn’t help but frown and mutter, "What bad luck."
Rachel Royce composed herself and said, "Alright, just pretend we didn’t see them. Don’t let it ruin our mood for the concert."
Joanna Sutton said, "You’re certainly taking things well now."
Rachel Royce gave a faint smile. "What choice do I have but to take it well?"
Joanna Sutton sighed softly and said no more.
