Chapter 143: Coincidentally

“Ah, I’m Jorge Maxwell. The person you’re looking for is my son,” he admitted after Esther mentioned Gaara’s name.

To be honest, Esther felt like her heart nearly stopped beating when she heard the name of the man now standing beside her.

What made her even more grateful was the fact that this man was the only person, aside from Gaara himself, who knew how to access Gaara’s old home.

After a brief introduction, Esther now found herself riding in a luxurious limousine with Jorge, heading toward Gaara’s former house, while two bodyguards followed behind them in a separate car.

“So, what actually happened?”

“There was a misunderstanding,” Esther replied. To her, that was the safest answer she could offer.

“Then how did you know Gaara was in Australia? As far as I know, he never wanted to set foot here again. He wanted to forget everything tied to this place.”

“Jack checked his credit card. The last time Gaara used it was to buy a ticket to Australia.”

Jorge nodded slowly. “And you? What are you doing here?”

At last, Esther lowered her head. She could barely bring herself to face him. “Gaara leaving like this is most likely connected to me. So I feel like I need to clear up the misunderstanding between us as soon as possible.”

“Well, alright then. I don’t want to interfere in the affairs of young people. But if you’re willing to come all this way just to see him, I’m sure you have a very strong reason.”

Esther let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“But we won’t be going straight to my house.”

Her body stiffened at once. She was about to respond when Jorge cut her off. “We’ll go to my destination first. After that, I’ll take you where you need to go.”

Of course, someone as important as Jorge must have countless matters to attend to. Esther had no right to refuse. She should already be grateful that he was willing to help her at all instead of scolding her. When she finally found her voice again, she answered humbly, filled with gratitude.

“That’s fine. I’m really thankful you’re willing to take me, especially when you’re busy.”

Jorge did not reply. He kept his eyes on the road, and Esther took that as the end of their conversation.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a rather large building. Jorge stepped out of the limo. Feeling that she should do the same, Esther followed, especially after the female bodyguard opened the door for her. She did not know why Jorge had brought her there, but she did not feel the need to ask.

They walked together, Jorge in front, Esther a few steps behind, with the two bodyguards trailing them in silence. At first, Esther thought they were heading inside the building, but instead Jorge walked around it. There was a narrow path leading to a white brick wall and a tall black iron gate. Jorge took a key from his suit pocket and unlocked the gate.

Esther and the two bodyguards followed quietly. Beyond the gate, her breath caught in her throat. There stood a beautiful chapel. It was surrounded by a garden filled with various kinds of flowers, arranged so deliberately that it felt almost sacred. Vines crawled along the surrounding brick walls, adorned with purple and white blossoms whose names Esther did not know.

Though the place was hidden away, it was clear that someone cared for it diligently. Not a single flower looked wilted or neglected. The fragrant air wrapped around Esther, bringing an unexpected sense of calm.

The four of them walked until they reached the chapel door. Once again, Jorge took out a key and unlocked it. As soon as the door opened, he stepped inside. As if they already knew their role, the two bodyguards positioned themselves at the doorway without a word.

Unsure of what to do, Esther stood frozen at the entrance. A moment later, Jorge gestured for her to come in.

As she stepped into the cool interior of the chapel, Esther found herself stunned once more.

The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. The floor was made of marble, and the stone walls were carved into reliefs depicting scenes she did not fully understand. There were no lamps or artificial lights inside. Only a glass ceiling above, making lights unnecessary except at night.

Sunlight poured down through the ceiling, illuminating the entire chapel, especially its center.

There was only a mound of earth surrounded by a golden barrier. Yet what made Esther’s breath falter was not the gold, but the realization that this stunning chapel housed a grave. A photograph was placed there. She recognized the woman, even though she had never met her.

“This is my wife’s final resting place. Yasha.”

Jorge knelt beside the grave and bowed, pressing a gentle kiss to his wife’s portrait with deep affection. Esther said nothing as she watched. It was clear that Jorge was pouring his entire heart into that single moment.

From Gaara’s stories, his father had never visited his mother, even when she was ill. And as if hearing Esther’s thoughts, Jorge suddenly spoke.

“She always loved flowers and sunlight. That’s why I built this place for her. It’s my way of loving her, giving her everything she loved, forever, until the day I lie beside her.”

Still gazing at his wife’s portrait, Jorge continued. “Today is the anniversary of Yasha’s death. It wasn’t easy bringing her here. I argued with her parents. But in the end, they let me take her. Every year after that, I come here to visit her. This is the last thing I can do for her, after all the sins I committed against her.”

Esther did not understand. According to Gaara, his mother’s love had been far greater than his father’s. Yet what Esther saw now was the opposite. It was undeniable that Jorge loved Gaara’s mother deeply.

“Does Gaara know about this?”

Jorge shook his head. “I can’t show this to him.”

“Why?”

“Yasha wasn’t my first wife. My first wife was the one who tried to tear us apart. I tried to protect Yasha, but in doing so, I caused her tragic end, leaving both me and Gaara behind. We weren’t good parents to him. He must hate us.”

“No.”

“What?”

“There’s no way Gaara hates you. He loves you both.”

Jorge smiled tiredly. In that instant, he looked ten years older. “You don’t know what he’s been through, kid.”

“You have to show him this. You have to talk to him.”

“I can’t.”

“Why? You can bring me here, a complete stranger, and tell me everything on your mind without hesitation. It doesn’t make sense that you can’t do the same with your own son.”

“I’m just too much of a coward to hear him say that he’ll never forgive me.”

Esther stepped closer and placed her hand gently on his arm. “Gaara isn’t that cold. I’m sure, in some way, the love his mother felt for you lives on in him too. I believe Gaara will forgive you.”