The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 140: More Dazzling Than a Gem

Chapter 140: More Dazzling Than a Gem

"Aunt Evelynn might be busy for a little while longer. If Melissa gets sleepy, you can go to bed first."

Melissa said, "No, I want to wait for Aunt Evelynn to come back so we can sleep together."

Rachel Royce now coaxed Melissa to sleep every night.

’If Tristan is heading home tonight, I can just put Melissa to bed before leaving. It wouldn’t be too late.’

"Aunt Evelynn will be a little longer. You be good, Melissa."

"Okay, I’ll be good and wait for Aunt Evelynn to come back."

"Mm."

Rachel put down her phone and turned to see Julian Jennings walking out.

"All done with the appraisal?"

Julian Jennings grunted in affirmation. "I’ve signed it. Let’s go!"

Rachel had come in Julian’s car today.

"Heading home?"

Rachel said, "Take me to Silvermist Bay, please."

Julian looked at her. "Melissa is waiting for you at home."

"Yeah, I have to go see her and put her to bed."

Julian looked away without another word.

The car stopped in front of the villa’s main gate.

As Rachel got out of the car,

Julian asked, "Want me to wait for you?"

Rachel agreed. "If you wouldn’t mind, Professor."

At her words, the tension in the man’s handsome face subtly eased. "Mm, go on. I’ll wait."

Lifting the hem of her dress with one hand, Rachel walked into the villa.

In the living room,

she saw Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt sorting through packages that had arrived.

When the two women saw Rachel, they froze in place, stunned.

「Lately」

Rachel had been treating Lisa Lawson and Frances Wyatt as if they were invisible. Though they were still in the house, Tristan Sterling had forbidden them from looking after Melissa, hiring two dedicated nannies instead. Whenever Rachel needed anything for Melissa, she would speak directly to them.

As for Lisa and Frances, they naturally found Rachel as irritating as ever.

However, they no longer dared to openly antagonize her as they had before. They would even go out of their way to avoid her—out of sight, out of mind.

This was because, not long ago,

while Rachel was making breakfast for Melissa, Lisa had been standing by, making passive-aggressive comments.

Without another word, Rachel had slapped her squarely across the face—twice.

Unable to win a fight against Rachel, Lisa had run off to tattle to Sylvia Shannon.

Although Sylvia was deeply displeased with Rachel, she couldn’t interfere since Tristan had allowed her to stay and care for Melissa. Besides, Melissa adored her. Blood is thicker than water. Their years of companionship with Melissa were no match for the bond Rachel had formed in such a short period.

So when Lisa came tattling, Sylvia had simply told her to leave Rachel alone.

Seeing she couldn’t get any vindication, Lisa had no choice but to swallow her anger.

Rachel ignored the pair and headed for the elevator.

Once she was in the elevator,

Lisa snapped out of her stupor and couldn’t help but scoff, "Dressed like such a tart. I wonder what kind of man she was out trying to seduce."

Frances chimed in, "Exactly. After she trapped the Master, what kind of decent woman could she be? How can he let someone like her keep looking after Miss Melissa?"

The two took turns venting their frustrations.

Their back-and-forth was cut short by a cold, deep voice. "What were you saying?"

The words made Lisa and Frances jump. They whipped their heads toward the doorway to see Tristan Sterling standing there.

He was just standing there, but his expressionless face exuded an intense, oppressive aura.

Though they had watched him grow up, they feared him to their very core.

Frances and Lisa scurried forward, greeting him respectfully. "Master, you’ve returned."

Tristan lowered his gaze to them, his sharp, dark eyes looking as if they could pierce right through them.

Frances and Lisa kept their heads bowed, nerves stretched so taut they didn’t dare look up at the man in front of them.

After a long moment,

"Where’s Melissa?"

the man asked.

Lisa finally dared to look up at Tristan, answering nervously, "Miss Melissa is alone in her room. Ra... Rachel just went upstairs."

Tristan shot them a look before averting his gaze and striding upstairs.

Only when his figure had completely vanished did the two women let out a collective sigh of relief.

Rachel reached Melissa’s bedroom.

She pushed the door open.

Inside, Melissa was lying on her stomach on the bed, kicking her little legs as she flipped through a comic book.

Hearing the door open,

Melissa turned. When she saw Rachel walk in, she froze completely.

Rachel walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Seeing Melissa gaping, too stunned to speak, she gave a doting smile. "Melissa, what is it?"

Melissa blinked her big eyes. A moment later, she snapped out of it, rolled over, and threw herself into Rachel’s arms. "Aunt Evelynn, you’re so pretty! You’re a fairy, even prettier than a fairy! And you smell so nice!"

Melissa snuggled into Rachel’s embrace, rubbing against her affectionately.

Rachel stroked her little head. "Alright now."

"Aunt Evelynn, hold me."

Rachel stood and lifted Melissa into her arms, holding her for a moment.

After a few minutes,

Rachel set Melissa down on the bed and started tickling her.

Melissa rolled around on the bed, shrieking with GIGGLES.

Rachel played with her for a bit before sitting up and letting out a long breath. "Okay, sweetie, time for bed."

Suddenly, Melissa exclaimed in delight, "Daddy!"

Rachel froze.

She turned.

There he was, standing in the doorway. She had no idea how long he’d been there.

Melissa scrambled off the bed and ran barefoot toward him. "Daddy, Daddy!"

Melissa was so excited.

Tristan walked over, bent down, and scooped his daughter into his arms. He kissed her soft cheek, his voice gentle and doting. "Miss me?"

"I missed you, Daddy! You’re finally back!"

Melissa planted a kiss on her father’s cheek.

Tristan raised a large hand and ruffled Melissa’s hair.

Rachel sat on the edge of the bed, watching the tender moment between father and daughter.

Tristan’s gaze shifted to her. She sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her posture elegant and poised. The angle highlighted the graceful curves of her body. Her gemstone earrings refracted a dazzling light, but she herself, like a piece of exquisitely carved white jade, seemed even more brilliant than the jewels.

Rachel met his gaze, her own expression turning a fraction cooler. Just as she was about to speak,

she heard him say, "Okay, how about you let Aunt Evelynn get you ready for bed? Daddy’s going to take a shower, and I’ll play with you all you want tomorrow."

"Okay," Melissa agreed.

Tristan carried Melissa over to the bed and set her down.

’Melissa looked at her daddy and Aunt Evelynn, both right beside her, and her heart swelled with a joy she couldn’t express. A blissful smile spread across her face. ’It would be perfect if Daddy and Aunt Evelynn could both sleep here with me,’ she wished.’

"Goodnight, sweetie."

"Goodnight, Daddy."

Tristan stood up and looked at Rachel. "You’ll sleep here with Melissa tonight."

Rachel glanced at him, then lowered her eyes, offering only a flat, emotionless "Mm" in response.

Tristan watched her for a moment before turning to leave, closing the door behind him.

After he left,

Rachel began to lull Melissa to sleep.

It was already nearly ten o’clock.

Melissa was truly exhausted by this point. After exchanging a few words with Rachel, she grew drowsy. Lulled by the sound of Rachel’s soft humming, she soon drifted off to sleep.