Chapter 531 Chapter 531: We Can’t Be Together Anymore
The memorial would be held at the memorial hall at the cemetery, and the professional funeral company that Luke hired had decorated the hall with white chrysanthemums and lilies.
In addition to the people in the upper class in the city, many media also came to the cemetery. Seeing the media gathering at the gate of the cemetery, Luke, who didn’t expect they would come, felt helpless. “Estelle, we didn’t ask the media to come at all. What should we do now? Ask the bodyguards to stop them from entering the hall?”
“Calm down. The media always knows what’s happening. It’s normal for them to be here. They might find a way in even if we try to keep them out. It’s better to let them interview us and take photos so they don’t disrupt the memorial service,” Estelle advised. She signaled the driver to stop and turned to Rebecca, saying, “Rebecca, please look after the children. Uncle Luke and I will handle this first.”
“Sure, don’t worry!” Rebecca and the three kids said at the same time.
They watched through the car window as a crowd of reporters and photographers gathered. They were concerned for Estelle but had confidence in her ability to handle the situation.
As Estelle and Luke stepped out of the car, the media immediately swarmed them. The reporters kept their distance, knowing it was a solemn occasion.
“Mrs. Hans, why isn’t Mr. Hans with you? Is the rumor true?” one reporter asked.
Estelle realized that Victor must have orchestrated the media presence and spread rumors about her and Cristofer. She looked at the reporters with composure and understood their curiosity.
She couldn’t avoid the question in such a situation, so she responded, “Cristofer and I are a couple. As his wife, I can represent him at the memorial today. I believe you’re here to also pay respects to Grandpa Gary, so let’s not discuss unrelated matters.”
Her reply left the reporters somewhat embarrassed. They didn’t want to appear insensitive and refrained from asking more questions, falling into a momentary silence.
Estelle noticed the car carrying the children and Rebecca entering the cemetery from the corner of her eye. Seizing the opportunity before the media could react, she walked through the crowd with her composed and dignified demeanor, followed by Luke.
She encountered many of Gary’s former business partners along the way to the hall. They discreetly observed Estelle, much like the reporters had earlier, and offered their condolences for Gary’s death.
Upon entering the memorial hall, she saw a grey-haired elderly man in his sixties place a bouquet near Gary’s portrait and stand in silence.
When Estelle and Luke walked over, he expressed his condolences, “I’m sorry for your loss. Mr. Hans and I had planned to play chess together, but I fell ill before and couldn’t keep my promise. Now that I’ve recovered, but he... Alas.” The elderly man sighed deeply, tears welling up in his eyes.
Seeing his sorrow, Estelle handed him a tissue and said, “Grandpa Gary wouldn’t hold it against you. He’d be pleased that you came to his memorial. Please take care of yourself.”
“Thank you,” the elderly man wiped his tears and said, “You and Cristofer are both wonderful children. I’m sure he’s too heartbroken to attend today. The Hans family needs him. As for the rumors, pay them no mind.”
Estelle tensed up upon hearing the last sentence. She managed a forced smile and responded gently, “Certainly. I’ll convey your message to him. Thank you for your concern.”
Sensing her anxiety, the elderly man refrained from further comments. He followed Luke to find a seat in the hall.
Many mourners had already taken their seats and discussed their businesses and industry trends as if they were at a business event rather than a memorial service.
Meanwhile, Cristofer was in a room adjacent to the hall, arranged by the staff. He looked through a one-way window at his grandfather’s portrait and watched Estelle and Luke as they worked diligently on the memorial service with a heavy heart.
No words could ease the deep pain Cristofer felt for not having the chance to see Gary one last time. The person he blamed for this pain was Estelle, the woman he loved deeply. It felt like a sharp knife piercing his heart whenever he thought about it.
In the afternoon, the memorial service ended. The guests left gradually, leaving the hall empty. Estelle wanted to stay to help Luke with everything, but he insisted she go back home. He said, “Estelle, you’ve had a long day. I’ll handle the rest. Mr. Hans is gone and can’t move around freely. You should go back and keep him company.”
“Alright. I’ll head home now.” Estelle was worried about Cristofer, who had returned home earlier. Ignoring her sore and swollen calf, she hurried out of the hall, got into the car, and asked the driver to take her back.
Upon returning to the Hans’ Residence, she went straight to the master bedroom, where she found a familiar scene. The curtains were drawn, the room was quiet, and Cristofer sat in his wheelchair with his back to her, gazing out the window like a statue.
Estelle rushed over to Cristofer and asked, “Are you okay? How do your legs feel? Let me know if you’re not feeling well.”
Cristofer replied in a flat tone, still looking out the window, “I’m fine. The memorial service for Grandpa has ended. I’ve arranged the children’s schooling and tutors. The tutors will assist Uncle Luke in looking after them. We don’t need a nanny in the Hans family anymore.”
His words caught Estelle off guard, and she felt like a heavy weight had crushed her heart, leaving her stunned. “What did you say? I... didn’t quite catch that,” she stammered, doubting if she had misunderstood.
Cristofer continued, “We can’t be together anymore. You can leave here now.”
He had been pondering whether to reconcile with Estelle since morning. It was only after Estelle delivered the eulogy that he reached a decision. For him, it was better to endure short, intense pain than prolonged, dull suffering. He didn’t want to be tormented by their relationship any longer, so he chose to sever all ties with Estelle.
With an unnervingly calm demeanor, Cristofer told Estelle, who was struggling to accept his decision, “I am tired, not physically, but mentally. I don’t want to be hurt by you again. Estelle, we can’t be together anymore. From this moment forward, we have nothing to do with each other.” He looked directly into her eyes as he spoke.