The Husband I Loved for Eight Years Never Loved Me-Chapter 109: A Lot Like a Family of Three

Chapter 109: Like a Family of Three

Tristan Sterling looked up at Rachel Royce.

Rachel didn’t look back at him. Instead, she turned to Melissa and asked, "Are you all done eating, Melissa?"

Melissa nodded. "I’m full."

Rachel pulled a napkin and wiped Melissa’s mouth. Melissa lifted her little head, looking up at Rachel and pouting her lips as her mother cleaned her up.

Seeing her daughter’s adorable face, Rachel couldn’t help but smile. She really wanted to give the cute little girl a kiss.

After wiping her daughter’s mouth clean, she looked up and inadvertently met the man’s gaze. The smile in her eyes vanished instantly. She bent down, lifted her daughter directly out of the high chair, and walked out of the dining room.

Tristan remained seated, his deep, dark eyes watching the woman’s retreating back. He let out a low, cold laugh.

After lunch, the three of them drove to the equestrian club.

Melissa was cheerful the entire way.

Rachel and Tristan were still giving each other the silent treatment, but they made a conscious effort to restrain themselves in front of Melissa.

However, twenty minutes into the drive, Melissa became drowsy and ready for her afternoon nap.

Tristan held Melissa in his arms, patting her to sleep. Melissa quickly drifted off.

The car instantly fell silent.

Rachel gazed out the window.

Tristan, with one arm around Melissa, turned his head to look out the other window.

They didn’t exchange a single word for the rest of the drive.

The equestrian club was in the suburbs.

The drive took nearly fifty minutes.

The weather was pleasant today. A gentle breeze was blowing, and the overcast sky meant the sun wasn’t too strong.

When they arrived at the club, Melissa wanted to go to the locker room to change into her riding clothes.

Tristan looked at Rachel and spoke to her for the first time that day. "They have women’s riding attire. Do you want to change into a set?"

Rachel looked up at him and refused, "No, thank you. I’m not riding. I’ll just keep Melissa company."

Tristan didn’t insist and turned to go to the locker room.

Rachel, meanwhile, took Melissa to the locker room to help her change.

Tiny Melissa, dressed in her riding gear and hat, looked not only cute but also dashing.

When she finished changing and led Melissa out, the man had also changed into a set of riding clothes—a classic, British-style equestrian outfit in black and white. At 190 cm tall, with a perfectly proportioned physique that was clearly the result of regular workouts, he had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and exceptionally long legs that stood out. His hair was slicked back, making his features look even more strikingly handsome.

’She had to admit, as Tristan had gotten older, he had lost some of his youthful beauty but gained a mature charm.’

Rachel gave the man a detached glance before looking away.

Melissa blinked her big eyes, looking at her father and then at Rachel. "Aunt Evelynn, can you wear the same clothes as us, please?"

Rachel didn’t indulge her. "It’s okay, Aunt Evelynn can keep you company without changing. Didn’t you want to show me your little pony? Let’s go!"

Melissa said, "Oh."

When they reached the stables, a staff member led out Melissa’s little pony. It was a pure white Shetland, its coat smooth and shimmering in the sunlight. It was beautiful, truly like a pearl.

Melissa ran forward and hugged Pearl’s head. "Pearl, I came to see you."

Pearl was thrilled to see her little owner and kept stomping her hooves.

Melissa led her pony to the riding arena, with Rachel accompanying her.

Tristan had just received a work call and hadn’t joined them yet.

’Perfect. Now I can spend time with Melissa alone.’

Melissa mounted Pearl and began to ride, looking quite professional. A staff member followed alongside the entire time, but Pearl’s gait was slow, and Melissa was in full control.

Rachel took out her phone and started recording a video.

Watching her daughter’s cheerful expression, being able to be with her child like this filled her heart with happiness.

After one lap, Rachel lifted Melissa down and they sat on a nearby bench to rest. She handed her a water bottle. "Have some water."

She took off Melissa’s hat and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Just then, Tristan walked over.

"Daddy!"

Melissa cried out.

Tristan walked over and sat down next to Melissa. He brushed her sweat-dampened bangs aside. "Your uncle and aunt will be here with Nina to play in a little while."

Melissa addressed Franklin Fitzwilliam and his wife using the same terms as Henry and Richard Sterling.

Melissa said, "Nina’s coming."

Tristan hummed in agreement.

Melissa really liked Nina Fitzwilliam, so she was very happy that Nina was coming.

Melissa said to Rachel, "Aunt Evelynn, we can ride horses with Nina."

Rachel hummed in acknowledgment.

She glanced up at Tristan. ’I’d actually wanted to spend the day alone with my daughter, but this is fine,’ she thought. ’It’s better than the two of us having to be with her together, anyway.’

’Of course, Tristan probably doesn’t want to be with me either.’

’There’s nothing for us to talk about, and this way, we won’t affect our child.’

Franklin Fitzwilliam had originally just brought his wife and daughter to the area for an outing, so they arrived at the equestrian club quickly.

When Nina saw Rachel, she called out politely, "Aunt Evelynn."

Rachel smiled. "Hi, Nina. Long time no see."

Melissa immediately ran up and took Nina Fitzwilliam’s hand.

Franklin Fitzwilliam’s wife, Vivian Jensen, paused for a moment when she saw Rachel. She had probably been told about her beforehand, so she wasn’t too surprised.

However, as Vivian watched her standing with Melissa, she couldn’t shake the strong feeling that she was looking at a mother and daughter.

With Tristan standing to the side, they really looked like a family of three.

Rachel took the initiative to greet Vivian Jensen. Vivian nodded in return. "Miss Evelynn. I’ve heard Nina mention you before. Seeing you in person today, you’re truly striking."

Rachel offered a faint smile.

After the simple greetings, Franklin went to change his clothes to race Tristan.

Nina also changed into a new outfit.

The two children, one older and one younger, went off to ride the horses.

Rachel and Vivian Jensen watched the two children. Vivian was four months pregnant with her second child, but her figure was so slender that it wasn’t very noticeable.

Franklin and Tristan rode for two laps, and of course, Franklin couldn’t beat Tristan.

"You really don’t know how to let someone win, do you?" Franklin complained.

Tristan replied, "If I let you win, you’d still lose next time. Wouldn’t that be an even bigger blow to your ego?"

Franklin laughed. "You’re really no fun at all."

The two men walked their horses slowly. Franklin’s gaze fell on the two women in the distance, and he turned to Tristan. "Don’t you think Melissa looks a little like this Evelynn?"

He’d seen her at the bar before, but the lighting was too chaotic to get a clear look. Today, with Evelynn and Melissa having similar bangs, the resemblance was actually there when you compared them.

And Melissa was so fond of her, too.

Tristan took the water a staff member handed him and drank. His gaze fell into the distance, his handsome face unreadable.