“Do you remember Henry? I asked you to help me find a welfare house for him before.”
“Sure. He is very lively and outgoing. I remember that he likes to sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’,” Mr. Mysterious answered her.
Estelle was a little excited. “Yes, it’s him. Sir, I want to help him. But I don’t know what to do. I feel very helpless.”
Hearing this, Mr. Mysterious comforted her in a gentle voice, “Estelle, there are countless unfortunate people in the world. You can’t help all of them. Henry is indeed very pitiful. I will arrange for a doctor to treat him. But his depression is very serious, so... I can’t promise he’ll be cured, but I’ll let the doctor try his best.”
Estelle asked, “Sir, depression will cause severe suffering to a child, right?”
“Yes. And it is a torment not only for children but also for adults. Those who suffer from depression would feel pain, loneliness, and despair. And they would feel as if they are drowning in the sea and are suffocating.”
“Have you ever experienced such feelings?” Estelle blurted out.
Mr. Mysterious took a deep breath and said nothing.
Estelle then realized that she shouldn’t have asked such a question.
“Sorry, Sir. Never mind,” She said with a bitter smile.
“I quite understand how Henry feels,” Mr. Mysterious said meaningfully.
***
When Rebecca stopped the car, she saw Justin standing at the gate of the residential building where Estelle lived.
Seeing the two of them come back with weary looks, Justin asked worriedly, “Are you all right?”
Estelle said, “Mr. Roberts, Rebecca... is not in a good mood. You may send her home first.”
Hearing this, Justin turned to look at Rebecca. Seeing that Rebecca, who was always happy and lively, was wiping the tears on her face in a hurry, he couldn’t help but feel distressed.
He took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Rebecca. Then he turned to Estelle and said, “Miss Hudson, you may go home quickly now. Mr. Mysterious is very worried about you, but it’s inconvenient for him to wait for you downstairs because there are street lamps. He can only wait for you at home in the darkness.”
Estelle nodded. “Okay.”
After watching Justin and Rebecca leave, Estelle entered the building and walked toward the elevator.
When she arrived home, she found that the door was unlocked and then opened the door.
The next moment, she was welcomed by a warm embrace.
“Are you feeling cold?”
“A little.”
“Stay in my arms, and you won’t feel cold,” Mr. Mysterious said as he held her more tightly in his arms and took her back to the bedroom.
After closing the door, he pressed her against the door gently, lowered his head, and pecked her on her lips.
“Estelle, don’t be afraid,” He said in a soothing voice.
“Sir, it seems that you can always see through me at a glance.”
“Because I know you well.”
Estelle relaxed and nestled against his chest. “Sir, do you want to... make love today?”
“Didn’t you say you won’t do that before completing the divorce procedures?” Mr. Mysterious was stunned.
“But I... I miss you so much. I need you.”
Mr. Mysterious gently kissed her hair and said, “Estelle, don’t worry. I will be with you no matter what happens. I know you are feeling vulnerable and need comfort now. But today is not the right time. The more I care about you, the more I should restrain myself at such a moment.”
****
Three days later, Estelle received a message from Mr. Mysterious when she was busy working in the company.
‘Estelle, Henry’s mother, passed away.’
Seeing the message, Estelle was stunned. The next second, the charcoal pen in her hand fell to the ground and broke into two pieces.
“What’s the matter, Miss Hudson?” Bob asked.
Estelle squatted down and picked up the charcoal pen in a hurry. “Nothing. My hand shook just now.”
Bob then said with a worried look, “Are you suffering from hypoglycemia? Have a rest.”
“Bob, may I ask for a day off?” Estelle asked with pleading eyes.
“Okay. But make sure you finish Katrina’s order on time.”
“I will. Thank you, Bob.”
After hastily packing up her belongings, Estelle rushed out of the company.
When she left the office building, she saw the familiar black Maybach parked on the roadside, and Ron waved at her.
“Miss Hudson, Mr. Mysterious knew you were worried about Henry, so he asked me to take you there directly,” Ron explained.
“Are we going to Henry’s mother’s place?”
“No, we’ll go to the funeral home.”
Estelle’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the words “funeral home.”
Then she suddenly remembered that six years ago, the bodies of her father and Cristofer's parents were also sent there after the car accident. While waiting for the bodies to be cremated, neither Cristofer nor her said a word.
Estelle couldn’t help but frown tightly and feel sad thinking about the past.
The car started and nosed its way back into the traffic.
“Miss Hudson, Mr. Mysterious, let me ask you one more question. If we’re not going to Henry’s mother’s place but the funeral home, will you still go there?”
“Is Mr. Mysterious there?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll go there,” Estelle said firmly. “As long as he’s there, I won’t be afraid.”
“But it’s daytime now. Mr. Mysterious can’t keep you company.”
“...”
“Will you go there, Miss Hudson?”
“...”
“Miss Hudson?”
“Well, I... I’m not going there.”
“Okay. Then I’ll drive you home,” Ron nodded and said calmly, seeming to have guessed Estelle would make such a decision.
At this moment, Estelle’s mind was full of her memories about Henry, who had sung “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for her and his mother, who had worked hard as a cleaner to make money.
‘Henry’s mother passed away... Henry has no family now.’ Estelle thought in sorrow.
When Estelle got back home, Mrs. Moorsum was busy cooking in the kitchen.
“Miss Hudson, you are back. Would you like to have soup tonight?” Mrs. Moorsum smiled and greeted Estelle.
“Anything will do,” Estelle said with a forced smile.
“Miss Hudson, you don’t look good. Are you not feeling well?” Mrs. Moorsum asked with concern when seeing her pale face.
“No. I just feel a little tired. I’m going to have a rest.”
Mrs. Moorsum nodded and said, “Okay. I’ll call you when the dinner is ready.”
Estelle then returned to the main bedroom listlessly.
When she lay on the soft bed, she touched something silky.
She pulled it out of curiosity, but it was stuck between the mattress and the head of the bed. Then she turned her head and saw a silver-gray tie.
It took Estelle five minutes to pull out the tie from the gap.
It was the first time that she had seen Mr. Mysterious’ tie. Looking at the tie, she thought, ‘Sure enough, he likes clothes and adornments of simple and low-key color and style.’
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