Chapter 91: Chapter 91
Dylan called Elise several times.
She ignored every single call.
Unable to reach her, he eventually sent Oliver over—with Zoey in tow.
Ever since the confrontation at the hospital, when Oliver had refused to tell her the truth about the kidnapping five years ago, Elise had lost all patience with him.
These days, Zoey had become the unwilling messenger between the estranged couple.
When they arrived, Elise instructed Oliver to wait outside, only Zoey was allowed in.
Zoey shot Oliver a triumphant grin, stuck out her tongue at him, and swaggered into the apartment.
"Mrs. Lander," Elise called, "take Robin outside to play for a while."
"Of course." Mrs. Lander understood immediately. Smiling, she coaxed Robin out of the room.
Once the child had left, Elise and Zoey sat down opposite each other on the sofa.
Without wasting time, Zoey relayed Dylan’s message.
Fleur had returned to the country as George’s legal wife.
Dylan intended to reunite her with Robin and, once the timing was appropriate, bring them both back to the Bennett family so they could formally acknowledge their family ties and restore Robin’s rightful place in the family.
After listening quietly, Elise showed little surprise.
Her expression remained composed.
"As George’s younger brother, it makes sense for Dylan to handle these matters for his brother’s wife and son."
She paused before asking the question that truly concerned her. "So... when does he plan to take Robin home?"
Zoey let out a helpless sigh.
"That’s exactly where the problem is. Robin’s memory still hasn’t recovered. Dylan wants to arrange a meeting first. He wants you and Fleur to meet, then discuss together how to explain everything to Robin without upsetting him."
Elise frowned.
She had no desire to get involved. She had never met Fleur, though she knew of her by reputation.
Back in university, Fleur had been in the same year as Dylan.
She had been exceptionally talented academically and strikingly beautiful. Countless wealthy young men had pursued her, yet she rejected every confession with the same explanation—that she wanted to focus on her studies.
Because of her aloof personality, people had nicknamed her the "Ice Goddess."
Madeline had once mentioned that Aaron had confessed to Fleur back then, and he had been rejected as well.
She had also heard that Aaron accompanied Dylan on this latest overseas trip.
None of it mattered to her.
To Elise, Fleur had once been nothing more than a stranger. Now she was simply Robin’s biological mother.
For Robin’s sake—and because the little boy had once risked himself to save her—Elise was willing to meet Fleur if necessary.
But only because it involved him.
After all, Robin couldn’t stay with her forever. Regardless of whether she and Dylan had finalized their divorce, she was, legally speaking, still Robin’s aunt.
And an aunt could never replace a child’s own mother.
After thinking about it for a moment, she spoke calmly.
"If the concern is that Robin won’t be able to accept the truth immediately, then Dylan should spend more time talking to him. His memories may be confused, but his trust in Dylan hasn’t changed."
"I don’t think it’s necessary for Fleur and me to meet just to discuss how to explain things."
"I completely agree." Zoey snorted. "Fleur’s staying at a hotel right now. Yesterday, Oliver had me deliver some daily necessities to her."
She crossed her arms in annoyance.
"When I got there, she thanked me politely and then casually started asking whether you and Robin were close. She looks harmless enough..." She hesitated. "...but I have a feeling she’s not nearly as simple as she appears."
Elise remained silent.
She didn’t know Fleur. Nor did she have any interest in getting to know her. The only thing she cared about was when Robin would finally return to his own family.
Although the past several days had been peaceful, his mother had come back. It wasn’t appropriate for Elise to continue acting as the person raising him.
Besides, she and Dylan were already living apart and preparing for divorce.
The longer Robin stayed with her, the more complicated everything would become—for both of them.
After making up her mind, she looked at Zoey.
"Tell Dylan exactly what I just said."
"I will."
As always, Zoey passed along every word without omission.
Unfortunately... Once again, Elise had underestimated Dylan.
The following morning, Elise and Robin were halfway through breakfast when the doorbell rang.
"I’ll see who it is," Mrs. Lander said, setting down what she was doing before walking toward the front door.
A moment later, Mrs. Lander’s surprised voice drifted into the dining room.
"Sir, you’re here so early... And this lady is...?"
"This is my sister-in-law, Fleur."
Dylan’s deep voice carried the quiet authority that allowed no room for misunderstanding.
"She is my elder brother’s lawful wife. From now on, address her as Madam, too."
Mrs. Lander immediately straightened.
"My apologies, Madam. I didn’t recognize you."
At the dining table, Elise’s hand paused briefly as she peeled a boiled egg for Robin.
She slowly lifted her eyes toward the entrance.
Mrs. Lander was respectfully leading Dylan and Fleur inside.
Dylan was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, every bit as composed and imposing as ever.
Beside him, Fleur wore a simple apricot-colored dress that complemented her slender figure. Her waist-length hair fell softly over her shoulders, and her fair complexion made her delicate features appear even gentler.
The moment she stepped inside, her gaze settled on the little boy quietly eating breakfast.
"Is... is that Robin?"
Her voice trembled. Turning toward Dylan, she looked up at him, tears already shimmering in her almond-shaped eyes.
"Dylan... is that really the child George and I had?"
She asked the question so cautiously that it almost broke the silence around them.
Her quiet sobs made her appear heartbreakingly fragile. Dylan’s usually stern expression softened.
"Fleur..." His voice became noticeably gentler. "Don’t rush. Robin is still having breakfast. Let’s give him a little more time."
Fleur nodded obediently as she wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Then she turned toward Elise.
"So you’re my younger brother’s wife." A faint smile appeared on her face. "You’re even prettier than I imagined."
She glanced teasingly toward Dylan. "Dylan, you certainly have good taste."
At those words, the corners of Dylan’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
His eyes instinctively sought out Elise, but she never looked at either of them.
Calmly, she continued eating as though they weren’t there at all. Without raising her head, she spoke evenly.
"Mrs. Lander."
"Yes, Madam."
"Please show our guests to the living room."
"Of course."
Mrs. Lander forced an awkward smile.
"Sir, Madam... please have a seat in the living room for a moment. Madam and the young master have only just started breakfast."
Dylan’s lips pressed into a thin line. His gaze lingered on Elise.
From the moment he entered until now... She hadn’t spared him a single glance.
He knew she was still angry. But with Fleur standing beside him, there was little he could say.
Silently, he accompanied Fleur into the living room.
Back at the table, Elise placed the peeled egg onto Robin’s plate before calmly continuing her bird’s nest soup.
She took her time finishing breakfast, and only after Robin drank the last sip of milk did she finally set down her spoon.
Looking at him seriously, she said, "Robin... there’s something I haven’t been honest with you about."
The little boy froze. The napkin in his hand stopped halfway to his mouth.
He stared at her blankly, uneasiness slowly appearing in eyes that looked so much like Dylan’s.
"Mommy... What do you mean? I don’t understand."
Elise pressed her lips together.
She had never wanted to tell him this so abruptly. She had worried the truth would be too much for him to accept all at once.
But Dylan and Fleur clearly had no intention of delaying the inevitable.
His uncle and his biological mother had already come to bring him home. There was no point in making things harder by prolonging the deception.
Drawing a slow breath, Elise steeled herself. Then she looked directly into Robin’s eyes.
"After your accident, your memories became confused." She paused for only a heartbeat. "The truth is..."
A faint ache spread through her chest.
"I’m not your mother."
