Chapter 410 They Had Elliot at the Best Age!
"What's wrong with having a son?" Sarah asked, her voice gentle yet challenging.
She lowered her head, playfully cooing at her baby boy in her arms. Her expression was incredibly tender. Though she had given birth to Jacob before and had once carried Diana, her feelings while pregnant with Elliot were entirely different.
Oliver found joy in her happiness.
He spoke into the phone to Zoey, "Understood. Please keep an eye on Azalea for me."
"Don't worry, Mr. Windsor," Zoey assured him. "She doesn't want any complications either. She says she'll go to Oceancrest City as soon as she's discharged and won't come back, nor will she have anything more to do with the Moore family. Also, she doesn't want the Moores to know she saved Isaac's life."
Oliver contemplated this. "That's probably for the best. A fresh start."
He didn't dwell on the matter and quickly ended the call, only to find Sarah watching him intently. "Azalea doesn't want to see Nicholas," he explained quietly.
Sarah lowered her gaze without comment.
Later that night, a melancholy mood overtook Oliver. "If we ever separated," he asked Sarah, "would you hide from me and refuse to see me?"
"That's childish," Sarah scoffed, feigning annoyance.
Seeing the affection in her eyes, Oliver couldn't help but say tenderly, "We only act childish around those we love. No one else gets to see that side of us."
Sarah pretended indifference, though she was clearly touched by his words.
For all his playfulness, Oliver was incredibly attentive to his wife. Since she had recently given birth, he didn't want her straining herself by holding the baby. He took Elliot from her arms and gently rocked him for quite some time until the little one finally closed his eyes.
Elliot had been born with striking features—truly a handsome little boy.
As Oliver studied him closely, he found himself filled with unexpected joy. Unable to resist, he kissed the baby's cheek repeatedly and whispered, "Grogbert."
Sarah burst into laughter.
As she laughed, her abdomen contracted painfully, causing her to cry out.
Oliver immediately came to her side, concerned. "I'll call the doctor."
Sarah caught his hand and pulled him to sit beside her on the bed. She nestled against him and whispered, "No need. I'm fine. Oliver, let's just stay like this for a while."
She had missed him, worried about him. For days, she had barely slept, forcing herself to rest for only two or three hours at a time for the baby's sake. Exhausted and weary, she wanted nothing more than to lean against him.
In the soft lamplight, her face looked pale and tired.
Oliver's heart ached for her. He gently caressed her cheek, promising softly, "We won't be apart again. This was the last time."
Sarah didn't respond; she had fallen asleep from exhaustion.
Under the vast night sky, with lush branches and twinkling stars above, Oliver at forty-two and Sarah at thirty found themselves in the prime of their lives. Heaven had blessed them with Elliot, giving them three wonderful children to cherish.
Meanwhile, in Evergreen City, Matthew was taken into custody, and Nicholas was released.
That night, rain poured heavily.
A black sedan, gleaming from the downpour, wound through several blocks before pulling up to the Moore Mansion. The estate was dark after nightfall, no longer the lively place it once was. Many of the staff had left.
As the car stopped, the driver opened an umbrella and the door for Nicholas. "Let me walk you to the main house," he offered.
"I'll walk alone," Nicholas replied quietly.
The driver was about to hand him the umbrella, but Nicholas had already stepped into the rain. The downpour formed a curtain, with Nicholas like a figure in a painting. Watching his silhouette, the driver couldn't help feeling wistful. The once-mighty Moore family had truly fallen.
They took turns going to prison; some fell ill, others scattered.
Soon, they would likely have to leave this mansion too.
Nicholas walked through the rain, his hair and clothes completely soaked, yet he paid no mind. He walked straight to the bay laurel tree and looked up at its lush canopy.
The Moore family had been defeated.
His grandfather would likely not survive, and the rest of the family was in turmoil. Hestia had filed for divorce, demanding a $500 million settlement and custody of their two children.
The Moore family was in ruins, yet Sarah was thriving, having another beautiful child with Oliver.
In the end, his feelings had been one-sided all along.
Nicholas laughed softly, a hollow, desolate sound.
From now on, he wouldn't allow himself to care for anyone again.
The price was too high.
A figure in black hurried toward him with an umbrella—the family butler who had served them for years.
Shielding Nicholas from the rain, the butler spoke urgently, "The hospital just called. They've found a suitable match. Your son can be saved. I've arranged a car; you should go to the hospital right away. You're soaked through—you can change in the car."
Isaac could be saved.
Nicholas's heart raced as he followed the butler to the car.
Inside, water dripped from his clothes.
The butler brought a clean set of clothes and a fresh towel. Nicholas changed quickly in the car.
"Did they find a matching donor?" he asked while drying his face.
The butler shook his head. "They're being very secretive about the details. They only said the surgery has an 80-90% chance of success. Your parents have already signed the consent forms. Your wife is waiting there too—the family will be reunited."
Nicholas listened quietly.
Finally, he spoke softly, "With my grandfather gone, how can we call it a family reunion?"
The butler hesitated, feeling that Nicholas had changed, though he couldn't quite articulate how.
Nicholas, anxious, asked the driver to hurry.
The driver accelerated.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital, stopping in front of the outpatient building.
Disregarding the rain, Nicholas rushed inside as soon as the car stopped. He quickly found his way to the door of Isaac's operating room. Vaughn and his wife stood in the hallway, deeply worried, while Hestia stood apart, expressionless.
Matthew's imprisonment had clearly devastated the Moore family.
Nicholas approached slowly. "Mom, Dad," he called softly.
Vaughn's emotions were complex.
Isabella came forward and took her son's hand, too choked up to speak for a moment. Finally, she managed, "It's good to have you back. So good."
Hestia felt a twinge of guilt.
She had never imagined that Nicholas would leave prison and Matthew would enter it.
Feigning composure, she said coolly, "Don't worry. Once Isaac recovers, we'll proceed with the paperwork. I'll leave you alone—whoever you want to marry in the future is none of my concern."
Nicholas didn't respond.
Hestia waited for an answer.
She glanced at him and realized her husband had indeed changed. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different—he still looked as refined as ever, but his eyes and presence were somehow altered.
"We'll discuss our matters later," Nicholas said flatly.
Hestia felt cornered. Her affairs had become public knowledge; Nicholas wouldn't let her off easily.
What she hadn't anticipated was that after Isaac's successful surgery the next morning, her husband would take her home and make love to her on the bed they had shared but slept separately on for years. For the first time, Hestia felt like a true woman.
By nearly two in the afternoon, Nicholas was finally satisfied and released her.
Hestia showered and emerged wearing a white bathrobe.
Nicholas was lounging on the sofa smoking, his expression inscrutable. Gathering her courage, Hestia approached him and took the cigarette from his hand.
"Nicholas," she asked softly, "what exactly do you want from me?"