Chapter 5
Estelle turned around to see Tobias standing behind Julian. Although Tobias was speaking to her, his worried gaze remained fixed on Susan.
In the past, whenever Susan showed the slightest sign of distress, Julian and Tobias would become incredibly anxious.
There was once when the four of them went to the park together, and Susan almost fainted. It was unclear whether she had suffered from heatstroke or if her illness had acted up again. Julian and Tobias had rushed toward her at the same time.
In his panic, Julian had even shoved Estelle aside to get to Susan, but no one noticed her fall. The most ironic part was that afterward, Julian saw her bandaged hand and even asked how she got hurt.
A weak and feeble voice interrupted Estelle’s thoughts. “Tobias, I lost my balance. It has nothing to do with your mother.”
Susan shook her head at Tobias. Tears slid down the corners of her eyes, making her look incredibly pitiful. She muttered, “It’s all my fault. My body is just too weak…”
Tobias pouted. “But I saw it with my own eyes! Mom pushed you.”
Then, he turned to look at Estelle with a stern expression. “Mom, you’ve always taught me to admit my mistakes and to correct them. You’re an adult, so you wouldn’t go back on your word, right?”
Estelle had gone to great lengths to nurse Tobias back to health. Yet when it came to his education, she never had to worry.
At just five years old, Tobias had already mastered three languages and was remarkably eloquent. Despite his young age, he could sometimes leave adults completely speechless.
Julian’s mother had once said that Tobias’ intelligence was just like Julian’s when he was a child. And now, Tobias was using that sharp mind against her for Susan’s sake.
As an adult and as Tobias’ mother, Estelle had to lead by example. If she couldn’t do it herself, how could she expect her child to? And how could she teach him to keep his word if she failed to follow through on hers?
Estelle watched as Julian and Tobias gathered around Susan. Suddenly, she felt that they seemed more like a family than she ever did with them.
She no longer had expectations for Julian and Tobias, but her son’s attitude still sent a sharp pain through her chest.
She looked down and met Tobias’ gaze, then said, “You’re right. I did tell you that if you made a mistake, you should apologize. But…”
Estelle paused for a moment before continuing, speaking each word slowly and deliberately. “I did nothing wrong, so why should I apologize?”
In the past, Estelle would have compromised for Tobias’ sake. But today, she would not.
Tobias blurted out, “But I saw you push Ms. Susie!”
Estelle didn’t argue and merely smiled. “Who said that pushing her automatically means I’m in the wrong?”
“But Mom, you said that hitting people is wrong…” Tobias tried to protest.
Estelle’s voice was soft and calm. “I also told you that while we must never bully others, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be bullied too. If someone keeps crossing your boundaries, then you should never hold back.”
Although Tobias was smart, he was still only five years old. He hadn’t expected Estelle to say such things and was left stunned, completely at a loss for words.
Just then, Zane’s voice came from the side. “Tobias, you shouldn’t talk to your mother like that.”
Both Julian and Tobias turned to look at him as though they had just noticed his presence.
Tobias murmured in a daze, “Mr. Jackman?”
Julian frowned deeply. “Why are you here?”
He had seen Zane many times before as the man was Estelle’s senior and childhood friend. He had also heard Estelle mention him on many occasions.
Estelle told him that Zane lost his parents at a young age and was sent to live with his grandparents after their passing. But during middle school, they passed away one after another, and he was left completely alone.
Coincidentally, Gloria discovered Zane’s musical talent and took him in as her student.
At that time, Zane was distant and melancholic, completely ignoring everyone around him. It had taken Estelle three whole years to get Zane to accept her and see her as a junior and a friend.
Yet for some reason, Julian had intensely disliked Zane from the moment he met him.
“If you can meet up with your ex-girlfriend, what’s so odd about Essie having dinner with a childhood friend?” Zane’s tone was calm, yet each word was laced with sarcasm, and he ruthlessly ripped away Julian’s and Susan’s facade.
Julian’s gaze darkened, and his expression turned stormy. He growled, “Estelle, we’re going home now.”
Estelle refused coldly. “No, I haven’t finished my dinner with Zane yet.”
Julian’s voice took on a chilling edge. “Estelle, I’m saying this one last time. Come back with me.”
Estelle knew this was already a sign of his fury. If she didn’t back down now, things would escalate beyond a mere silent treatment. He would resort to methods to force her into submission.
She would never forget that stormy night. Estelle had been drenched to the bone as she kneeled pitifully at his feet. Her face was streaked with tears as she begged Julian to return Tobias to her.
He had looked down at her with contempt, asking, “Do you realize your mistake?”
She had sobbed uncontrollably, and she could only apologize for Susan’s near-drowning incident. He always seemed to have a way to deal with her.
Estelle’s lips curled up into a hollow smile at the memory, and she muttered a single word, “No.”
Julian’s gaze turned frosty, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. “Estelle, you’d better think about the consequences.”
“Just go ahead and use whatever tactics you have, Mr. Grant,” Estelle said.
Her only weakness back then was Tobias, but she had given up on him as well now. Julian no longer had any leverage against her.
Estelle turned to Zane and said, “Zane, it smells in here. Let’s go somewhere else for dinner.”
Zane looked at her silently for a moment before nodding lightly. “Alright.”
She picked up her bag and prepared to leave without sparing the other three people a glance.
Behind her, Tobias demanded stubbornly, “Mom, are you really not going to apologize to Ms. Susie?”
Estelle’s steps only faltered slightly before she left without turning back.
Julian watched Estelle’s departing figure, his gaze turning dark and frigid. Tobias was staring at Estelle’s back too, confusion flickering across his face. His mother seemed different now.
Seeing that both of their attention was on Estelle, a deep chill flashed in Susan’s eyes. Suddenly, she let out a soft gasp.
Julian’s and Tobias’ focus immediately snapped back to her. Her face was deathly pale, and her body swayed as if she were about to faint.
Julian’s expression changed subtly, and he immediately carried Susan in his arms.
