Chapter 326

"Isabella, it's all on me. Today's mess is totally my fault. I know I can't fix it, no matter what I say," Siena muttered calmly, staring at the floor.

Isabella's eyes widened. "But you can't just hurt yourself like this!"

Siena sighed, "Isabella, this is the only way I can feel a bit better. Don't stress; it's got nothing to do with you. This is my way of punishing myself."

Isabella was at a loss for words. Just as she was about to speak, Sweetie started bawling again.

Isabella rushed to calm Sweetie down. Siena glanced over and said, "I'll head downstairs. Holler if you need anything."

Isabella watched her leave, feeling all kinds of conflicted.

After Esme's class wrapped up, she invited Nina to a nearby café.

Once they were seated, Esme handed the menu to Nina. "Not sure what you like. Pick whatever. It's on me."

"You choose," Nina pushed the menu back. "I'm not into coffee."

Esme raised an eyebrow. "Most folks your age are all about coffee."

She ordered two mild coffees anyway.

Nina looked at Esme and said, "I'm kinda old-school, not big on new stuff. Isabella and I are pretty similar that way."

Esme nodded. "With how fast things move these days, a lot of people just go with the flow and lose themselves. You and Isabella have done well to stay true to yourselves."

"Aunt Esme," Nina said, "after all these years, can I still call you that?"

Esme smiled. "Of course. Nina, you've changed a lot. Honestly, when I first saw you, I almost didn't recognize you." She looked Nina over, noticing the weariness in her eyes, despite her being only in her thirties.

Esme continued, "You've taken good care of Bella all these years; she must've had a stable life."

Nina's lips tightened, emotions bubbling up. "Stable? There's no stability like being with your parents. I couldn't give Bella much, and she's been through a lot with me. Whenever I was about to give up, I'd think, if Aunt Esme hadn't left Bella, would our lives have been easier?"

Esme's fingers tightened around her spoon. She sighed. "In the end, I owe Bella."

Nina lowered her eyes. "Talking about owing is pointless. Aunt Esme, I gotta ask; did you come to Lakina to take Bella back?"

"Yeah," Esme nodded, finally voicing the question that had been on her mind for ages. "Does she hate me?"

Nina said, "I don't know. When she was little, she always asked where her parents were. I told her they were working out of town. As she got older, she stopped buying it. Eventually, she probably figured out the truth and stopped asking. It wasn't until recently that I told her everything."

Esme's eyes were filled with emotion. "I had my reasons back then; I had no choice but to leave her."

Nina asked, "So why didn't you come back to find us all these years?"

Esme's eyes got misty. She looked down, trying to pull herself together before saying, "I'm sorry; I had my reasons."

Nina shot back, "So you think that when you had your reasons, Bella had to just suck it up? And now that you want her back, she should just welcome you with open arms? Aunt Esme, life doesn't work like that. Bella's kind, but she knows what's right and wrong. Do you think a simple excuse can make up for all these years and clear you of all responsibility?"

Esme was too ashamed to respond.

Nina took a deep breath. "You hurt Bella once; don't do it again."

Esme called out, "Nina."

Nina stood up. "I'll cover the coffee. I won't be at your class tomorrow."

With that, Nina walked out of the café.

Esme sat there for a moment, then picked up her already stirred coffee and took a few sips.

Leaving the café, Nina felt a bit unsettled.

Though she had spoken harshly, she knew Esme wouldn't give up easily.

What Nina was most worried about was Bella.

So Nina didn't go back to the Jose family. After calling Margaret, she drove straight to Sebastian and Isabella's place.

After playing with Sweetie for a bit, Nina took Isabella's hand. "Didn't you hire a nanny? Why haven't I seen her?"

"She's not feeling well, so I let her rest," Isabella said. "How was your class today?"

Nina replied, "Just okay."

"What do you mean, just okay?" Isabella asked, "Esme's classes are so awesome; you must've learned a lot. I think if you had Esme as your teacher, you'd create amazing designs."

"I can design great stuff without a teacher," Nina said, her tone a bit defiant, even a bit bratty.

Isabella was a bit surprised. She teased, "I didn't know Nina was so capable."

"Yeah, I'm very capable," Nina said, gently pinching the back of her hand. "Otherwise, how could I have raised you?"

Isabella leaned against Nina's shoulder. "That's right. Nina is the best sister in the world!"

Isabella said, "Nina, I believe in you. You can do it!"

Nina turned her head. "What about you?"

Isabella asked, "What do you mean?"

Nina's gaze fell on the bracelet on Isabella's wrist. "What do you think of Esme?"

"She's great," Isabella answered almost without thinking.

Nina frowned. "You've only met her a few times, and you think she's great?"

Isabella said, "Even though we haven't met much, I feel a sense of closeness whenever I see Esme. I even thought, if I had such a beautiful and capable mom, it would be wonderful!"

Nina's eyes froze. "What if she really is your mom?"

Isabella turned, sensing something off in Nina's expression. She hugged Nina's arm. "I don't want a mom; I just want my sister. Nina, don't be mad. I was just joking."

"I know," Nina said seriously, "Bella, if one day your mom suddenly shows up and wants to take you back, what would you do?"