Leanna-Chapter 203: [Epilogue 1.2]

[Estela’s POV]

[Epilogue 1.2]

I was brought to the Jansen’s private hospital and went into labor for two days.

The fight with Zhander became unimportant as the pain occupied all my attention at the moment. No matter how many agonizing walks I took, my baby boy didn’t want to detach itself from me as it resisted to be born in this world.

And of course, Zhander was by my side throughout the painful days, keeping me under his careful watch.

Eventually, on the second day of the night, I was brought into the delivery room to give birth.

"Estela, breathe my love. Breathe."

Zhander encouraged and even timed his breathing with mine as I grasped his hand tight for strength.

Frankly, I didn’t even hear anything. Not my agonizing screams nor the doctor’s instructions nor Zhander’s frantic calls.

All of those were not important as I was tortured with pain. I felt like all my flesh was being ripped. My bone being broken one by one. And when I thought the pain wouldn’t stop –– I heard it . . .

Warm, innocent cry of a newborn.

My tired eyes zoomed to that sound, trying its hardest to focus even though all I saw were blurs. I didn’t know if it was from tears or too much fatigue that I succumbed to exhaustion.

----

I woke up feeling numbed and weak all over, except for the soreness and burning pain of my core. My eyes adjusted to the subtle brightness of the room. The natural light of the sun entering the interior made me feel calm and warm.

"Estela . . ."

My eyes zoomed to Zhander, who was sitting beside me, holding my hand.

He kissed my palm and brought my hand to his face.

"How are you feeling?"

I shifted my head away from his adoring eyes as I couldn’t look at him for another second.

"Where’s my child?" I asked, emphasizing ’my’ part.

"He’s fine. He’ll be brought here so that you can feed him."

I ignored him.

Zhander sighed and kissed my forehead.

"I’ll step back for now, but please don’t stress yourself and focus all your energy on recuperating. One of these days, I’ll explain my side to you," he said between kissing my forehead as I ignored him.

My parents and in-laws came in, and only did I noticed Leanna together with my brother and Zoe were seated on the couch not far from us. After my parents and in-laws came, a doctor soon followed, holding a baby in her arms.

My eyes shone at the sight of him. And if not, I was feeling weak and a little wobbly, I would have jumped and grabbed my baby from the doctor’s hands.

A possessive feeling rose in me as I couldn’t stomach another female holding my baby boy.

Zhander scooped our child from the doctor, and after some instructions, the doctor left. My parents and in-laws controlled themselves, just contenting to sat at the side together with everyone as they knew this moment was important for Zhander and me and our precious little baby boy.

Well, my mother, of course, filmed the whole thing. I wouldn’t even be surprised if she even filmed me giving birth.

"Estela . . ." Zhander gently placed our child in my arms and went to my side and kissed my cheek.

"He’s so beautiful . . . Thank you . . ."

I didn’t mind Zhander’s embrace nor his kiss nor his gentle, loving words nor the tears from his eyes –– all my attention was on the little innocent life I held in my shaking hands.

And from that day –– I learned the true meaning of falling in love at first sight.

----

"Zhander, where are you taking us?" I barked as I glanced left and right while embracing Zach, our little baby boy, in my arms. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

One month passed since Zachary was born, and time flies if you were in heaven and hell at the same time. Heaven at watching my little baby boy and hell from all the times I stayed awake at night to feed and get him to sleep.

"Don’t worry. It won’t be long now."

Zhander exclaimed in excitement, which I just rolled my eyes in response.

I hadn’t exactly forgiven him and still treated him like air. But for the sake of our son, I’ll endure at the moment.

Zachary was still too young. I didn’t want him to grow up without a father.

Even though Zhander continued to treat me even sweeter than before and doted on me at every turn, that disgusting thought of him sleeping with other women during my pregnancy still hunted me even on my sleep that I refused to sleep with him on the same bed, in the same room.

"We’re here."

Zhander drove us to an exclusive place in Manhattan with tight security and a well-off peaceful neighborhood. He drove deeper into the area, and after a while, we went inside a classic-styled towering gate and stopped in front of a mansion.

I have my shares of majestic houses designed by famous architects, but this place made me speechless, and my jaw dropped in awe.

The area was amazingly big for a two-story house, and we were just outside. I couldn’t even imagine the size of this place when we get inside.

"Do you like it?" Zhander asked, voice quaking a bit as he glanced at my direction.

"It’s amazing," I replied without thinking as I tried to take in every detail of the house.

Zhander breathed a sigh of relief and circled his arm around my shoulders.

"I’m glad to know you like it. All those money and negotiations were worth it."

That was only when I looked at him and took a step back.

"What do you mean?"

Zhander’s smile grew wide.

"From now on, this will be our house. Our home."

. . .

. . .

"The reason why I was so busy these past few months was because of this property. I wanted to buy it . . . but the problem was . . . the owner wouldn’t sell it, so it took so much time."

Zhander explained while all I did was stare at him –– speechless.

"T-then . . . that perfume on you."

"The owner of this house was a woman. But don’t get me wrong. She’s already married and has kids that’s partly also the reason why she didn’t want to sell the house. But since she is in need of mo––Estela, what’s wrong?"

Zhander cut his words short when tears filled my eyes. He crossed the distance between us and wiped away my tears.

Crappy P***! I feel so guilty.

"W-why didn’t you say so? Why did you let me insult and hurt you?"

Zhander gave a wry smile as he cupped my cheeks.

"I wanted to surprise you. I can’t explain my side without disclosing this information . . . But because I was too focus on this house, I neglected you. That’s also the reason why I let you do whatever you want with me because I deserve it . . . I’m so sorry, little Stela. Will you forgive me?"

I sniffed and shook my head while my cries vibrated out of my mouth.

"T-then . . . why aren’t you sleeping with me? And being intimate with me?" I accused, starring at him aggrieved.

Zhander’s eyes turned a shade darker before it softened again.

"Little Stella . . . I’m not confident I could be gentle with you . . . I didn’t want to take the risk."

I blinked and stared at him with a blank look on my face.

Zhander chuckled and bent, our forehead touching.

"You are very precious to me. More than life itself . . . I could never even think of hurting you. I love you so much, Estela. More than you’ll ever know . . ."

I tiptoed and kissed him.

The kiss we shared was enough to let each other feel our unspoken feelings to one another.

I love you too, Zhander . . . More than you’ll ever know.

🤍

Fin. 🐇