Free Web NovelChapter 307: Chapter 307: Between You and Me, There Is No Right or Wrong
Chapter 307: There’s No Right or Wrong Between Us
For a moment, the atmosphere in the dining room grew colder.
Faced with Rachel Royce’s questioning, Tristan Sterling’s expression gradually darkened. "Rachel," he said, "there’s no point in dwelling on what happened five years ago. Our child has grown up. There’s no right or wrong between us."
Rachel stared at him and couldn’t help but laugh mockingly at herself.
’He’s right.’
’She was the one who went to the Sterling Family after she got pregnant.’
’Because of that, her father’s company was able to get some breathing room.’
’A man like Tristan Sterling never allows others to judge his actions, and that hasn’t changed.’
She said nothing more.
The mood in the dining room became even more somber than before.
No one spoke again.
After quietly finishing her dinner, Rachel Royce stood up and left the dining room.
Tristan Sterling remained seated, his breathing growing heavier as he watched her retreating figure.
Rachel Royce returned to Melissa’s room to find that Melissa had just woken up. The nanny brought up dinner, and Rachel helped Melissa eat. Once she was done, Rachel got her washed up and changed into her pajamas, then played games with her in the room.
Joyful laughter filled the entire room, Melissa’s healing giggles warming the heart.
Meanwhile,
Tristan Sterling stood at the doorway, his back to the light, which cast his features in deep, unreadable shadows. Hearing the laughter from within, he simply stood there, making no move to open the door and go inside.
An unknown amount of time passed.
The laughter inside the room gradually died down.
Just as Tristan Sterling was about to turn and leave, the door suddenly opened.
When Rachel Royce saw the man who had suddenly appeared before her, the smile on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a mask of cold indifference.
Tristan Sterling looked down at her, his expression calm. How could he not have noticed the change in her face?
"Daddy!" Melissa called out in her sweet, soft voice when she saw her father.
She was completely oblivious to the tension between her parents.
Tristan Sterling retracted his gaze, schooling his features. He stepped into the room and asked Melissa, "What are you looking at, sweetheart?"
Rachel Royce went to the master bedroom, took her pajamas from the walk-in closet, and went to wash up.
「Half an hour later.」
When she came out, Tristan Sterling was nowhere to be seen. He was still in Melissa’s room with her.
She decided to go to the study, but just as she stepped out the door, she ran into Tristan Sterling on his way back.
She looked straight ahead, acting as if he didn’t exist, and walked right past him toward Melissa’s room.
Tristan Sterling stood rooted to the spot.
After a long moment, he finally moved, heading to the walk-in closet to get his own pajamas.
That night, Rachel Royce slept with Melissa. She had also arranged the trip to Corhaven with June Jennings for two days from now.
Rachel told Melissa about it, but Tristan Sterling had previously told Melissa that Mommy and Daddy would take her to Kaelen.
Of course, she wanted to go play with Stella and Auntie June, but she still preferred the idea of her mommy and daddy taking her to Kaelen.
"Mommy already made plans with Auntie June. Stella really wants to go to the beach and collect seashells with you," Rachel explained. "We’ll have plenty of time to go to Kaelen later."
"..." After a moment, Melissa finally agreed. "Then can Mommy and Daddy take me to Kaelen for the New Year, please?"
Rachel could only agree for now to placate her.
The next day at breakfast, Melissa told Tristan Sterling about her conversation with her mother.
Tristan Sterling glanced at Rachel Royce, who was eating her breakfast nonchalantly. ’When he’d suggested going to Kaelen before, she hadn’t directly agreed then, either.’
"When are you going to Corhaven?" Tristan Sterling asked.
Rachel didn’t look at him. She was in no mood to talk to him, but with Melissa present, she replied, "The day after tomorrow." Her tone was exceptionally cold.
"For how long?"
"It’s not set."
"..."
Listening to her parents, Melissa finally sensed that something was wrong. She furrowed her little brow. "You and Mommy are talking so weird. Daddy, you have to be gentle when you talk to Mommy." She pouted, giving her father a warning look.
A gentle look softened Tristan Sterling’s eyes. He apologized, "It’s Daddy’s fault. As it happens, Daddy has something to take care of, so you and Mommy can go have fun first. Daddy and Mommy will take you to Kaelen later."
"We’ll go to Kaelen for the New Year," Melissa declared.
"Okay," Tristan agreed.
Today was the day Julian Jennings was being discharged from the hospital.
Rachel Royce planned to visit him and decided to take Melissa along so she could play with Stella.
As they were about to leave, they ran into Alexander Sullivan, who had just arrived.
"Uncle Alexander!" Melissa called out.
Alexander Sullivan smiled. "Good morning, Melissa."
"Have you had breakfast, Uncle Alexander?"
"I have. Are you and Mommy heading out?"
Melissa nodded.
Alexander then turned to Rachel Royce, a gentle smile on his face. "Good morning," he said.
Rachel’s expression remained impassive. She didn’t respond, simply taking Melissa’s hand and saying, "Melissa, let’s go!"
Melissa waved goodbye to Alexander.
Once they were in the car, Melissa asked, "Mommy, don’t you like Uncle Alexander?"
"Mommy doesn’t know him well," Rachel replied.
"Is it because Uncle Alexander is Miss Claire’s brother?" Melissa asked.
Melissa was indeed more perceptive of adult matters than other children her age. Because of this, she wasn’t as easily fooled as a typical child.
「Inside the villa.」
Alexander Sullivan sat across from Tristan, watching him smoke again. He had quit for Melissa’s sake.
"Bad mood? Did you two fight?"
Tristan Sterling took a light drag from his cigarette. The pale smoke swirled around him, making his handsome face appear even more somber. "We didn’t fight," he said faintly.
Alexander Sullivan didn’t press the issue. "Regarding yesterday, if you’re not going to handle it, I will."
Tristan’s expression remained unchanged at his words. He tapped his ash into the ashtray. "Do as you please." Then he asked, "Did you say anything to her yesterday?"
Alexander was well aware that those arrogant, self-righteous types looked down on his social standing. Of course, he had never paid them any mind, nor had he ever tried to fit into their circles.
Only when you were powerful enough, with sufficient capital and strength, would they naturally bow their arrogant heads.
’He had indeed gone to the Sinclair Family’s home yesterday because of Rachel Royce.’
’It was only in a crowd that he could get a chance to speak with her.’
’Even though she still treated him coldly.’
’Losing the game last night...’
’He wouldn’t deny that he had done it on purpose.’
Alexander knew that Rachel Royce was currently confused, annoyed, and impatient with his actions. He clenched his fist slightly, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation as he said, "I didn’t say anything."
The atmosphere immediately fell silent.
Just then, Alexander Sullivan received a work-related call. He spoke for a few moments before hanging up.
He casually placed his phone on the coffee table in front of him. In the instant before the screen turned off, Tristan Sterling noticed his phone’s wallpaper.
He glanced down at it and ordered, "Let me see that photo."
Alexander looked at him. "What’s wrong with me using a picture of my niece?"
"Send me all your photos of Melissa," Tristan said.
Alexander simply put the phone back in his pocket. "If you want photos, take them yourself."
Tristan couldn’t help but scoff. "Fine, you can keep them!"
