Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2704

The Jarvis Estate

Old Mr. Jarvis and Gabriel were both waiting outside for Estelle to come home.

Seeing the black car approaching from a distance, Old Mr. Jarvis was already smiling. “Our girl is back.”

His old but still sharp eyes held a distant, nostalgic look. He turned to Gabriel. “Do you remember when Estelle first came to live with us?”

Gabriel’s voice was calm. “I do. She was like a sensitive little hedgehog, not talking to anyone, on guard against the world.”

Old Mr. Jarvis nodded slowly. “That look in her eyes, so stubborn yet so terrified. It broke your heart. I’ve often thought since then that Estelle was destined to be part of our family. It was as if she was born into the wrong one, the Macclains, and had to suffer for a while before finally finding her real home.”

His eyes filled with a flicker of sorrow as a memory surfaced. “Gab, there’s something I never told you. Your mother was pregnant when she passed away.”

Gabriel froze.

Mr. Jarvis continued, “Just two weeks before the accident, your father called me. He told me Joanna was pregnant and was so happy, saying it was definitely going to be a girl this time, that he was finally going to have a daughter.”

But no one could have imagined that in just two weeks, tragedy would strike, and that child would never have the chance to be born.

Gabriel’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing.

Old Mr. Jarvis waved a hand dismissively. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but I don’t know why it came out today. Let’s not talk about it. It’s been so long.”

Gabriel asked, “Grandpa, do you think Estelle is the daughter Mom was carrying?”

Old Mr. Jarvis shook his head. “Not necessarily. That child was not fated to be with our family, but Estelle is.”

Gabriel’s eyes were deep. “It doesn’t matter either way. In my heart, there’s no difference.”

Old Mr. Jarvis nodded with a smile, marveling at the passage of time.

“Time flies. I don’t just remember the look in her eyes back then; I can still clearly picture what she looked like. So small and thin, it seemed a gust of wind could blow her away. Only her big eyes were dark and bright.”

While the front courtyard was bustling, the back remained as tranquil as ever, though the wedding characters on the windows and the colorful silks and red lanterns in the yard announced the happy occasion.

The three of them sat down, and Old Wade first served Estelle a bowl of sweet rice dumplings with an osmanthus fragrance that filled the room.

As she ate, Estelle discussed the pre- and post-wedding arrangements with Old Mr. Jarvis and Gabriel.

“Magdalen and the others should be arriving the day before the wedding.”

Old Mr. Jarvis said happily, “Let them stay here. I’ve already had rooms prepared for them.”

Estelle swallowed a rice dumpling before continuing, “The Lamonts will probably come early too, but they’ll stay at their own estate. Other guests might arrive early or on the morning of the wedding. Jonathan has made all the arrangements.”

Gabriel remarked, “Holding the wedding at the estate in C City is all for you. That was very considerate of him.”

Old Mr. Jarvis smiled knowingly. “It’s because Jonathan always puts Estelle first that she’s so willing to marry him. What about you? When are you going to make someone willing to marry you?”