Chapter 26 I Will Be Back Estella clinked glasses with Selene , and the two exchanged a knowing smile . Finished On the weekend , Estella woke up , filled out the registration form , and sent it off before tidying up and heading out to visit her mother . At the hospital , she found Victoria sitting on the balcony , basking in the sunlight . Unexpectedly , standing beside her was Nathaniel . Her expression instantly turned cold . What is he doing here ? As soon as Victoria saw her , she began to fuss . " Stella , you're finally here . It's nearly ten o'clock , and you're just getting up ! Nathaniel brought me breakfast early this morning and even took me for a walk . I was about to call and wake you , but he kept telling me not to disturb you and to let you sleep in . " Estella placed the flowers she had brought into a vase . Then , turning to Nathaniel , she said , " Come with me . I need to talk to you . " Nathaniel followed her into the hallway . " Why are you here ? " Her tone was sharp . She wanted to drive him away , but she didn't want to upset her mother . Nathaniel , acting as though their divorce had never happened , spoke with unwavering composure . " Mom called me yesterday , asking why I hadn't visited in a while . I happened to be free today , so I came . " Estella's brows furrowed . " Mr. Hartwell , I'd appreciate it if you stopped addressing her like that . She's my mom . She has nothing to do with you ." Nathaniel exhaled in mild exasperation . " Estella , must you be so distant ? Mom isn't in great health . Can you really shoulder all her medical expenses on your own ? I neglected you before , but I intend to make amends . Stop being so stubborn and come back with me . " Ever since seeing Estella at the banquet , Nathaniel had been haunted by dreams of her . He had assumed that , after their divorce , she would struggle to find work and spiral into hardship . Yet , to his surprise , she could play the piano , and even a maestro like Chase had praised her talent . What unsettled him even more was how stunning she had looked that night , drawing countless covetous gazes . He couldn't bear the thought of anyone else having her . He had to bring her back before it was too late . Women were all the same . If he swallowed his pride and coaxed her , she would surely relent . Estella fixed Nathaniel with a glare . Why does he refuse to understand plain words ? " Nathaniel , I told you , I'm never going back . Give up already . " Bur Nathaniel didn't take her words seriously , He glanced at the hospital room , then smirked . " That's not up to you . I know what matters most to you . From now on , I'll visit Mom every week . I'm sure she'll help persuade you . " 1/3 P P. Chapter 26 I Will Be Back 6 E D Finished With that , he turned and strode back inside . Estella clenched her teeth in frustration . What is he thinking ? He clearly loves Isabelle . Why is he still clinging to me ? Inside the ward , Victoria handed Nathaniel a plate of grapes and smiled warmly . Nathaniel took one and said , " Mom , you have an incredible memory . You still remember that grapes are my favorite . " " Of course . I remember everything you like . " Victoria regarded him with satisfaction . She recalled how Nathaniel had once visited her in a wheelchair . At the time , she had worried that her daughter would suffer in a marriage with him . Yet , miraculously , he had recovered in no time . Now , there was nothing about this son - in - law that she wasn't pleased with . When Estella walked back in , Victoria asked , " Stella , when are you and Nathaniel planning to have a baby ? " Nathaniel suddenly placed a hand on Estella's shoulder . Her expression froze . " I'll leave that up to Stella , " he said smoothly . Victoria beamed at his response , her affection for him deepening . " Don't leave everything up to Stella . You two need to act fast . Stella, it's best to have children while you're young , so your body will recover more easily . " Estella , however , wished she could chop off the hand resting on her shoulder . At noon , she accompanied Victoria to the hospital cafeteria for lunch . Nathaniel busied himself nearby , fetching the food and pouring water . Estella studied him with a complex expression . In the past , Nathaniel had never done any of this . She had no idea what had gotten into him . The meal tasted like sawdust . Afterward , she took her mother back to her room and said her goodbyes . She and Nathaniel exited the ward together . As they walked , Estella's tone turned serious . " I'm begging you , Nathaniel . Stop coming here ." Nathaniel believed he had done more than enough today , yet Estella showed no appreciation whatsoever . Irritated , he scoffed , " Are you pushing me away because of that Mr. Bennett ? Do you want to be with him ? " He didn't see how Jonathan was any better than him . With him as her former husband , a man of status , wealth , and looks , he couldn't fathom her being interested in another man . Estella , infuriated by his arrogance , snapped , " That has nothing to do with you ! " Nathaniel let out a cold chuckle . " Estella , you can't stop me . Whatever I set my mind to , I see it through . I'll be back . If you think you can escape me , you're dreaming . "