The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 67: More Important Than His Life
Chapter 67: More Important Than His Own Life
Tristan Sterling said gently, "Didn’t you promise to go out with Miss Claire tomorrow?"
It dawned on Melissa Sterling. Miss Claire had called her today, and she had promised to go out with her.
Miss Claire was always very good to her, often giving her sparkling diamonds, all sorts of pretty little dresses, and dolls.
Although Melissa wanted to see the pretty auntie, she was a girl of principle. When she promised something, she had to follow through.
"Okay, then! I’ll see the pretty auntie in a couple of days."
Tristan Sterling hummed in agreement.
Tristan Sterling watched cartoons with his daughter and did puzzles with her.
Now, he spent most of his free time at home with his daughter. People who used to ask him out had consciously stopped, because everyone around him knew that his daughter was more important than his own life.
Melissa Sterling was tired from playing and got sleepy.
Tristan Sterling carried her back to the bedroom, placed her on the bed, and covered her with the soft, pink little quilt. He placed a kiss on his daughter’s forehead and then left for the study.
「Weekend.」
Rachel Royce could finally rest for a day.
But she wasn’t in the habit of sleeping in. She got up early to go out for some stretching exercises and saw Thomas Sterling coming out of his house and walking her way.
Rachel Royce waved at him.
Thomas Sterling was dressed in a summer sweatsuit with a sports headband on his forehead. He was tall and long-limbed, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The muscles in his arms and legs were well-defined and sculpted, the physique of someone who clearly worked out often. He radiated a cool, sunny handsomeness.
He jogged over to Rachel Royce.
Rachel Royce greeted him, "Good morning."
Thomas Sterling smiled, his lips curving. "Good morning. Did you get back last night?"
Rachel Royce hummed in affirmation.
This villa was mainly for Florence Preston and Wendy Royce to spend their retirement and look after the children. It was a forty-minute drive from her workplace.
She had her own apartment now, mainly for the convenience of work, but she still came home whenever she could. She wanted to be with her family and didn’t really like being alone.
"It’s gotten pretty hard to see you these days," Thomas Sterling said in a teasing tone.
Rachel Royce laughed. "Does that mean you’ve been pretty free lately?"
Thomas Sterling said, "A new project is just around the corner. I have to take advantage of my free time while I still can."
"What new project? Mr. Big Boss, how about you let me invest a little? Let me in on the money-making!"
"Of course I’ll let you in on it."
...
They waited for Peter Preston to come out.
The three of them went for a run together.
They ran for an hour.
Peter Preston and Thomas Sterling then went to play basketball.
「On the basketball court.」
A few young women who looked to be in their early twenties were gathered around, watching the two men play.
They all seemed to be wearing full makeup.
The admiration in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Who wouldn’t be smitten by handsome, athletic young men in the prime of their lives, full of sunny energy?
Rachel Royce sat on a bench, sipping her water and watching quietly.
After a good rest, she picked up a basketball and started shooting hoops for fun.
Suddenly, someone shot a perfect three-pointer into her basket.
Rachel Royce turned her head and saw a young man she didn’t recognize.
As he smiled confidently and started walking toward Rachel Royce...
...another basketball suddenly flew from the adjacent court and swished perfectly through the net.
The man was startled. When he turned to look, his face was a little embarrassed.
Thomas Sterling gave Rachel Royce a slight raise of his eyebrow and a grin, revealing a canine tooth. The morning sun bathed his face, highlighting his vibrant, youthful energy.
"Rachel, let’s go," Peter Preston called out.
Rachel took the basketball over to the two of them and placed it in the ball rack.
Leaving the basketball court, the three of them strolled toward the villa. The early morning breeze felt exceptionally cool on their faces.
Thomas Sterling mimicked a jump shot and asked, "Tell me, which was cooler? My long-distance shot or that guy’s three-pointer?"
"Do you even need to ask? Obviously, my shots were cooler."
"You mean those consecutive zero-point shots you just made?"
Rachel glared at him. "Thomas Sterling, are you asking for a beating?"
Thomas Sterling just laughed more heartily. "Why are you getting mad? We won’t laugh at you. I can even take you on as my apprentice, free of charge."
Rachel lifted her foot to stomp on his. "Who wants you to teach them?"
Thomas Sterling dodged the stomp.
Unconvinced, Rachel tried to stomp on him again. Thomas dodged it with a quick sidestep. "Can’t catch me."
"You..."
Rachel looked ready to hit him.
Thomas Sterling started running ahead.
"Thomas Sterling, you get back here!"
...
Peter Preston watched the two of them chasing and fooling around, a helpless smile on his face.
They ran all the way to the villa’s entrance.
Thomas Sterling threw his hands up in a victorious pose. "I win!"
Rachel stopped, panting, and gave him a kick. "Win what? Who said we were racing?"
Thomas Sterling yelped in pain.
Florence Preston was watering the flowers in the garden. Seeing the two roughhousing, she came out and said, "Both of you, hurry up and shower. It’s time for breakfast."
Thomas Sterling asked, "Are there any crab roe buns? My favorite!"
Florence Preston’s eyes were full of gentleness. "Of course, there are."
Rachel said, "Mom, next time, remember to charge him for the meal."
Thomas Sterling looked at Rachel. "What’s this? You don’t want Mr. Big Boss to let you in on the money-making anymore?"
Rachel reached out and pinched him again before striding into the villa.
Thomas Sterling rubbed his pinched arm.
Watching the two of them, Florence couldn’t help but chuckle. She looked at Thomas and urged, "Thomas, hurry up and get ready!"
The large family and Thomas Sterling had a lively breakfast together.
By now, aside from not living with them, Thomas Sterling was no different from a family member. Wendy Royce and Florence Preston took special care of him.
His company was now in a deeply integrated partnership with Peter Preston’s company.
Rachel Royce spent the morning at home, playing video games with Thomas Sterling and keeping Bobby company.
「Afternoon.」
June Jennings had asked to meet up with her.
They had originally planned to include Joanna Sutton, but she was being forced to go on another blind date.
June Jennings was Julian Jennings’ sister.
Rachel had met June in the United States; she was the first friend she made abroad.
At the time, the place Julian Jennings had arranged for her was right next door to their villa.
Florence Preston’s cooking was exceptional. When June was heavily pregnant, she would often come over to eat with them. The first bite had moved her to tears, and she complained that the food over there was not fit for human consumption.
June’s husband’s family was settled in San Francisco, so she had to move there with him.
「Later.」
When her child was two years old.
June discovered her husband was cheating. He immediately apologized, cut ties with the other woman, and knelt down to beg for her forgiveness. They had been high school sweethearts, their love story stretching from the schoolyard to the altar. Despite this deeply ingrained relationship, June remained resolute and insisted on a divorce.
But her husband refused to divorce, even going so far as to hold June captive.
Rachel Royce contacted Julian Jennings.
Julian Jennings and his parents rushed over immediately.
Their marital struggle dragged on for nearly two years before June successfully divorced him. She returned to the country with her child.
After lunch.
Thomas Sterling had to make a trip to his office, so he offered to drive her.
June had arranged to meet her at the International Trade Tower in the city center.
Rachel Royce had just gotten out of the car.
"Godmom!"
...
A little ball of fluff in a pretty dress ran toward Rachel Royce.
Rachel quickened her pace, bent down, and scooped Stella into her arms. "My little darling, slow down! Don’t fall."
June Jennings walked over, with Julian Jennings pushing a stroller behind her.
"She’s been chattering about seeing her godmom since this morning!" June said helplessly.
Rachel kissed Stella’s little cheek. "Godmom missed Stella, too."
Stella had just turned five in March; she was two months younger than Melissa.
Julian Jennings saw Thomas Sterling, and the two men nodded and smiled at each other in greeting.
