Chapter 3 The Family of Three

It was Hope!

Esther was taken aback when she heard her daughter's voice. She couldn't believe her ears. Gathering strength from deep within, she pushed Leon with all her might, landing a few punches and kicks on him.

Snap!

Esther's hand connected with Leon Winston's cheek, leaving a red mark.

"You dare to slap me, you bitch? I'm going to kill you today!" Leon's face twisted with anger as he tore Esther's shirt with his hands.

But Hope, already scared to tears, shouted, "Don't hurt my mommy!"

Hope rushed forward, hugging Leon's thigh, and bit him.

"What the hell? You little whore! Your mom is a slut, and you're even worse! Get out of here!" Leon raised his leg, ready to kick Hope.

Before he could strike, a shadow swiftly moved past him, and a powerful punch landed on Leon's face.

Ouch!

Leon screamed and was sent flying.

Despite his disappointment with Esther, seeing her being mistreated by another man and their daughter being insulted ignited a furious rage within Chris. It hurt him deeply.

"Come with me!" Chris picked up Hope and reached out to pull Esther out of the room.

"Who are you? Let go of me!" Esther, unable to recognize Chris due to the dim lighting, resisted his touch.

Chris turned his head, his expression gloomy. "Esther Jefferson, you gold-digger, take a good look at me!"

Esther was confounded when she finally saw Chris's face clearly. It was him! Her own husband! The man she was forced to marry five years ago, the same man who had married her and disappeared the next day!

In an instant, Esther's mind went blank.

Chris, too, was distraught. Five years ago, he was cast out of the Shelby family and left to fend for himself on the streets. Just as he was about to succumb to starvation, the Jefferson family found him. They claimed he was a perfect match for Esther, and their marriage would bring luck to their gravely ill father, Henry Jefferson. That's how Chris Shelby married Esther and became part of the Jefferson family. The day after their wedding, the military draft was issued, and Chris willingly joined the army, driven by the desire for future revenge. Five years later, he had become a legendary figure in the military, known as Lord Death.

Esther's tears flowed uncontrollably. She wept profusely.

And then, without warning, Esther threw herself into Chris's arms, sobbing. "You bastard, Chris Shelby! You heartless man, you're finally back!"

Crying? What was going on? Was she pretending to be pitiful in front of him?

Chris pushed Esther away and stared at her with a cold expression. "Do you know what I saw when I returned to the Jefferson family? Our daughter, chained up like a dog, lying on the ground. Even a servant of the Jefferson family was beating her while you were here with another man. What kind of mother are you? How do you take care of our daughter?"

Goodness! She heard every word.

Esther's emotions spiraled out of control. She howled in pain. "My daughter! My poor daughter! I'm so sorry!"

The thought of their daughter being treated like a dog on the ground devastated Esther, and she cried as if her heart had been broken.

Suddenly, she clenched her fists and pounded Chris's chest. "Bastard! It's all your fault! If it weren't for you, our daughter would never have suffered like this. What right do you have to blame me? Do you have any idea how much humiliation I've endured in the past five years? After our daughter was born, no one was willing to help me. I was left alone to deal with everything. Every time Hope asked me about her father, I didn't know how to answer. I'm just an ordinary woman who longs for a man to rely on from time to time. Life has been too difficult for me. I can't take it anymore..."

Esther Jefferson cried hysterically, releasing all the grievances she had accumulated over the past five years.

Hearing Esther's words, Chris was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to have such a difficult life during those years.

"Esther, I'm sorry..." Chris reached out, attempting to wipe away the tears from her eyes.

Esther cried hoarsely, "You bastard! Heartbreaker! Did you know our daughter was born with a congenital heart disease? The doctor said she needs surgery before she turns six! But I didn't have the money. For three days, I begged everyone for help, but no one was willing to lend me a hand. I had no choice but to turn to Leon Winston, that loan shark. He had ulterior motives for me. Do you really think I enjoy being with him here? I had no choice!"

Buzz! Esther's words hit Chris like thunder. He had misunderstood her.

Esther's anguish and desperation had gone unnoticed. She had ignored Hope for three days, solely focused on finding money for her daughter's treatment.

Meanwhile, anger welled up within Chris. How dare Leon Winston covet his wife? Was he tired of his life?

"Esther, I'm so sorry. I misunderstood you, and it's all my fault..." Chris held her tightly in his arms.

Guilt and self-blame overwhelmed him. This tough man couldn't help but shed tears.

"I'm sorry, Esther. It's my fault! From now on, I'll never let you suffer again. I'll make you the happiest woman in the world!"

Esther collapsed into Chris's arms, crying bitterly. After years of enduring grievances, she finally released it all.

Soon after, the reunited family of three returned to their home. It was a dark basement, but Esther had cleaned it meticulously.

As Chris compared the Jeffersons' luxurious mansion to their dilapidated basement, his fists clenched in anger.

"You live here?" he asked.

Esther nodded sadly. "After you ran away, they believed I had brought shame upon the entire family, so they expelled us from the Jeffersons."

"And your parents?" Chris inquired.

Esther's disappointment was evident. "After we were kicked out, my mother couldn't bear the blow, and she went back to my grandfather. My father went with her to bring her back."

Chris felt even more remorse in his heart upon hearing her words. Esther, Hope, and her parents had all suffered because of him.

Hope, hiding behind Esther, looked curiously at Chris. Esther said to her, "Hope, come and meet your daddy. This is your father."

Hope's face showed a hint of panic upon hearing Esther's words. She struggled to say the word "dad" but couldn't bring herself to do it.

Chris squatted down, gently touching Hope's head. "Hope, I'm your dad. From today onward, I'll protect you and mom. I'll make sure every woman in the world is jealous of you and your mom. I promise."

"Dad..." Upon hearing Chris's words, Hope nestled into his embrace, crying.

In that moment, Chris's heart melted completely. The indomitable Primus, the conqueror of worlds, broke down in tears.