All Chapters of He Wants Me More After Divorce: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Estelle’s POV“They’re not budging,” Karl said flatly, dropping his phone onto the conference table. “That’s the third call today and they keep saying the same thing—no capacity, can’t help, sorry.”I rubbed my temples where a headache had been building for the past week. “What if we offer more money? We can increase the purchase price by—”“I already tried that,” Karl interrupted tiredly, slumping back in his chair. “Offered them twenty percent over the original contract. They said no. Offered thirty percent. Still no. They don’t want our money, Estelle.”Jennifer walked in carrying a stack of envelopes. “Seventeen demands for delivery. Legal’s drowning in formal notices about breach penalties.”She slid the damage estimate toward me. I stared at the number and couldn’t quite process it.“This will bankrupt us,” Karl said flatly. “If we breach all these contracts, the company folds. Everything we’ve built—gone.”I set the paper down carefully and pressed my palms flat against the tabl

Estelle’s POVMy phone rang during evening rounds, Harrison’s name flashing across the screen. I almost didn’t answer.The last time he’d called, we’d ended up in his car instead of a hospital room. My face went hot remembering it, the way I’d climbed onto his lap, the way I’d—I declined the call and shoved the phone back in my pocket.It rang again immediately.“Dr. Estelle.”“Lucas collapsed during dinner.” Harrison sounded breathless, panicked in a way I’d never heard from him. “He can’t hear anything, Estelle. Nothing. He’s not responding to any sounds at all and he’s vomiting and I don’t know what to do, and—”“Harrison, stop. I am here,” I interrupted. “Did you call an ambulance?”“They’re on the way but I—I you need to come. Please. I’m not lying this time, I swear I’m not lying. I beg you.”“Harrison—”Someone grabbed the phone from him. “Dr. Estelle?” A woman’s voice. “This is Nurse Kirk from Lucas’s home care team. The child is experiencing severe vertigo and complete bilate

Estelle’s POVI didn’t sleep much that night. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Lucas’s terrified face and heard the desperation in Harrison’s voice.By morning I was exhausted and jittery from too much coffee, but I went back to the hospital anyway because I’d promised.Lucas was awake when I arrived, propped up against pillows with Harrison asleep in the chair beside him.“Hi,” I said softly, moving to his bedside. “How are you feeling?”Lucas squinted at me and I realized belatedly that he still couldn’t hear. I pulled out my phone and typed: Can you hear anything at all?He shook his head and pointed to his ears, then made a gesture I interpreted as “buzzing.”I typed: That’s normal. It should get better in a few days.He nodded but didn’t look convinced.Harrison stirred and opened his eyes, blinking groggily. When he saw me standing there he sat up quickly and winced, one hand going to his neck.“You slept in that chair all night?” I asked.“Couldn’t leave him.” Harrison stood an

Estelle’s POVDaisy was waiting for me when I got home that evening, sprawled on my couch with a glass of wine and a knowing look.“You look terrible,” she announced.“Thanks.” I dropped my bag and collapsed into the armchair.“Long day at the hospital?”“You could say that.” I closed my eyes. “Harrison’s son had another medical crisis. We did an emergency MRI at two in the morning.”“Jesus. Is the kid okay?”“He will be. He’s going to deal with this the rest of his life and I’ll be managing his care long-term.” I rubbed my temples where a headache was building. “Harrison was a mess, Daisy.”“So you’ll be seeing a lot of him.”“Unfortunately.” I rubbed my eyes. “His mother showed up today. She was…exactly as charming as I remembered.”Daisy winced. “Ouch. What did she say?”“The usual. Questioned my professionalism, implied I was inserting myself into their lives, basically made it clear I’m still not good enough for her precious son.” I grabbed Daisy’s wine glass and took a sip. “Harr

Harrison’s POV“I’ve been trying to convince my mother,” I said tiredly, rubbing the back of my neck. “She’s…resistant.”Estelle’s jaw went tight. “Harrison, Lucas doesn’t have time for you to try. We need to move on this now.”“I know—”“Do you?” she interrupted sharply, taking a step closer. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re letting her dictate medical decisions that could permanently affect your son’s quality of life.”I flinched, the words landing harder than they should have. “That’s not fair.”“It’s completely fair,” Estelle said, her voice going hard. “Every day we waste arguing about whether to run tests is a day Lucas’s hearing could be getting worse. We need to move now, not when your mother decides she’s comfortable with it.”“She’s concerned about invasive procedures,” I said weakly, hating how it sounded even as I said it.“This isn’t invasive!” Estelle’s voice rose slightly before she caught herself, glancing around the hallway and lowering it again. “It’s a blood