Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Three Little Ones’ Shared Birthday Raises Nathaniel’s Suspicions
Nathaniel Sloan raised an eyebrow. "Fortune-telling? What did you foresee?"
Zachery was speechless. His excited expression froze on his face.
Wait a minute. Shouldn’t the person outside the door be Uncle Kingston? Mommy’s true love, their future daddy—shouldn’t it be Uncle Kingston?!
Why did their scumbag of a father walk in? Why had Uncle Kingston disappeared?!
Mia was also stunned. She stared at Nathaniel with her large, expressive eyes, looking as if she couldn’t believe or accept it. She froze for two seconds before letting out a loud WAIL and throwing herself into Estelle’s arms. "Mommy, I’m sorry! I’m not good enough at fortune-telling! BOO HOO!"
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, glanced around the room, and figured it out. So, Mia was crying because she foresaw that he was Yara’s future husband?
He was speechless. Was he really that despised?
In the corner, Christian curled his lips in disdain. He wondered if his daddy truly had no idea whether or not people despised him.
A few days later, Estelle was discharged from the hospital.
Nathaniel had her move back into the second-floor bedroom.
At nine o’clock that night, she was just getting ready to wash up when a cell phone started ringing in the room. It wasn’t her ringtone.
Estelle raised an eyebrow and walked into the walk-in closet, only to find Nathaniel’s phone. He had probably left it behind while helping her move her things. She originally planned to have the butler come and take it away, but then she caught a glimpse of the caller ID.
It was Noelle Lockwood.
Estelle picked up the phone. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as a memory surfaced, but it was quickly replaced by a soft, amused smile. She answered the call.
On the other end of the line, Noelle likely hadn’t expected the call to be answered so quickly. Her tone even held a hint of pleasant surprise.
"Nathaniel, it was my fault the other day. Christian might have some misunderstandings about me. I’ve reflected a lot these past few days. It just so happens that Christian’s birthday is coming up soon, so I bought him a gift. Is he—"
"I’m sorry, but Nathaniel isn’t here right now," Estelle drawled, slowly interrupting her after listening for half a minute.
Noelle froze abruptly. Once she realized who had answered the phone, her voice instantly turned shrill. "Why do you have Nathaniel’s phone?!"
Estelle twirled a strand of hair around her finger and replied casually, "Nathaniel is taking a shower in my room, so of course his phone is with me."
"Yara!! You’re shameless!"
Noelle let out a shriek, sounding as though she couldn’t even fathom the idea. Flushing red with anger, she demanded, "Give the phone back to Nathaniel!"
"Don’t get so worked up, Miss Lockwood. Nathaniel is just showering in my room. There’s nothing going on between us, so please don’t get the wrong idea." Estelle smiled brightly. "It’s so late. If you need something, Miss Lockwood, wouldn’t it be better to wait until tomorrow?"
Trembling all over, Noelle’s face turned completely red. She was so furious she could barely hold her phone. "You shameless bitch..."
Estelle simply chuckled. What right did Noelle have to be upset?
More than five years ago, when she had just gotten pregnant, a thunderstorm struck in the middle of the night. Feeling extremely anxious and unable to sleep, she had mustered the courage to call Nathaniel.
However, the person who answered the phone was Noelle.
Noelle had spoken in a cloying voice. "Estelle, it’s so late. Why are you looking for Nathaniel? Even if you need something, just wait until tomorrow. Nathaniel is going to sleep.
"What? Where is he? He’s taking a shower at my place. He really didn’t ignore your call on purpose.
"Estelle... could you please stop being so unreasonable? What could possibly be going on between Nathaniel and me? He was just tired tonight and didn’t want to go back to Imperial Crest, so he’s resting at my place.
"We’re family. Even if we stay in the same room, what does it matter? Estelle, if you keep throwing these tantrums, Nathaniel will get angry.
"Alright, Estelle, I’m not talking to you anymore. Nathaniel is done with his shower, and we’re going to bed."
The memory faded as Estelle snapped back to the present.
Her smile deepened. She tapped her fingertips lightly against the table and spoke in a bashful tone that left plenty to the imagination. "Alright, Miss Lockwood. Nathaniel is done with his shower, and we’re going to bed."
"Yara—"
Estelle hung up without hesitation. She tossed the phone aside casually and went to sleep in an excellent mood.
Meanwhile, Zachery and Mia huddled together.
Looking at the date on the calendar, Mia whispered, "Our birthday is in a month, you little dummy Zachery. What do you want for a present?"
The usually lively Zachery fell silent at the mention of the word "birthday." He curled his lips. "Mommy almost died that day. I don’t want to celebrate my birthday at all."
The day they were born was the exact same day, five years ago, that Noelle had set the fire and Estelle had nearly lost her life.
Naturally, these things were never supposed to be told to the two children. But Zachery had pestered the head of the Kendrick Family until the old man, whose heart ached for Estelle, finally gave in and told them.
From then on, Zachery decided he would never celebrate his birthday again.
"Mr. Chapman, this is the gift the Lockwood Family sent for Young Mr. Sloan..."
Just then, a maid’s voice echoed from outside the door, followed by the butler, Mr. Chapman, frowning as he asked, "Young Mr. Sloan’s birthday is still a month away. Why is the Lockwood Family sending a gift now?"
"They said it’s an apology to Young Mr. Sloan..."
"Alright, put it in Young Mr. Sloan’s storeroom. I’ll let Mr. Sloan know later."
As the footsteps faded away, Zachery and Mia exchanged a glance.
Zachery looked puzzled. "Young Mr. Sloan’s birthday is also in a month? What a coincidence."
Before Mia could answer, he suddenly remembered. "Oh, right! Mr. Henry Kendrick said that Noelle and Mommy gave birth on the exact same day."
It was just that the wicked Noelle had gone into labor slightly earlier. After giving birth, she hired someone to set the fire, attempting to murder their mommy.
Hmph!
However, the young master was now their older brother. Since he was their older brother, he was one of their own. Now that he knew Christian’s birthday, shouldn’t he buy him a gift?
Zachery puffed out his cheeks, lowered his head, and began whispering with Mia.
The next day, when Estelle came downstairs, she saw Zachery and Mia already seated at the dining table.
Seeing her approach, they hurriedly pulled out a chair for her and respectfully served her a bowl of porridge. Zachery looked at her with a solemn expression. "Mommy, please dine."
Estelle choked slightly. She was at a loss for words. Looking at them strangely, she asked, "Have you been watching too many TV dramas?"
Zachery shot Mia a look, and she immediately scurried to Estelle’s other side. "Mommy, I’ll eat with you," she said sweetly.
Estelle raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning knowing. "Spit it out. What trouble have you two caused?"
Why else would they make such a grand gesture? Every time these two put on a theatrical display to butter her up, it meant they had done something wrong. Estelle was already used to it.
To her surprise, Zachery simply lowered his head, his cheeks blushing slightly. "Mommy, I’m sorry. Young Mr. Sloan’s birthday is coming up soon, and I want to give him a gift. Can I?"
Estelle was surprised, but then she immediately understood why Zachery was apologizing. It was because Christian Sloan was Noelle’s child, and Christian’s birthday fell on the exact same day as Zachery and Mia’s.
Birthdays...
She also wanted to celebrate her own children’s birthdays, but Zachery and Mia were far too mature for their age. They always made sure to avoid celebrating on that day.
A wave of warmth swelled in Estelle’s heart. "Of course. Mommy will also get you presents. Let’s properly celebrate your birthdays this year."
Mia was just about to protest that they didn’t want to celebrate, but before she could speak, a man’s voice carried over.
"Your birthdays are also in a month?"
Nathaniel leaned casually against the doorframe, wearing a thin dress shirt and gold-rimmed glasses. His eyes were slightly narrowed, flashing with a momentary glint of scrutiny. "What a coincidence. On the exact same day as Christian’s?"