Chapter 556 William’s Emptiness
Jayden quickly got up to pat William’s back and attempted to call the nurse. However, William waved him off and said hoarsely, “1 himself
“It’s fine.”
e.” He then took a few sips of w
water to calm
He coughed, feeling a dull ache in his lungs, and wearily leaned back against the head of the bed.
As the sun sank lower in the sky, the light shifted westward. William’s gaunt face looked even more hollow in the fading twilight. His eye sockets grew deeper, and his eyes appeared even more depthless.
“Sex burials are just another way of disposing of the dead. There’s no need to bother with burying a few pieces of clothing,” he rasped.
“At least there should be a place for prayers. We can’t just leave her as a wandering spirit, short on money, can we?” Jayden replied.
William looked at him. “Do you really believe in such things?”
Jayden forced a smile. “If it’s for someone you care about, it’s better to believe than not.”
Once someone had passed, there wasn’t much the living could do. They’d act in the hope that their efforts might have some effect. It didn’t cost much or take much effort. It was
staway to find some peace of mind.
However, William lacked such sentiments. He was unwilling to do even the simplest tasks. The fact that he replied, “There’s no need for that,” had left Jayden speechless.
“I just hope you won’t suddenly wake up in the middle of the night, feeling pain in your chest and unable to breathe,” Jayden was speaking from experience. Yet, William remained Indifferent. While Jayden couldn’t persuade him, he would still ensure that someone prayed for Emelie.
With nothing else to do, Jayden stood up. “I’ll head back now. Don’t overwork yourself. Your health is more important.”
“Okay.” After Jayden left, William called Ashton. “Arrange for my discharge.
“But your condition…
William was in different. “The doctor said I can’t have surgery now, only medication and gradual recovery, Whether I recover here or at home doesn’t make a difference.”
“Understood.”
Ashton, wary of contradicting him, quickly packed up his belongings and took him back to Eastbay.
Upon entering the house, Willam noticed the shoe rack was much emptier. All that remained were his shoes, whether formal, sports, or indoor, while Emelie’s shoes had been removed
He looked up into the living room. Although the furnishings hadn’t changed much, the emptiness felt like a presence that invaded his very being
He coughed again and headed straight upstairs.
Ashton stood in the thing room. Since William hadn’t dismissed her, she had to stay.
Ashton remembered that she had yet to fire the maternity nurse and cook she’d hired for Emelie. Before she let them go, she had to settle their paychecks.
As she was settling their payments, she thought to herself how fortunate it was that Emelie’s pregnancy had only been a rumor William had spread. Otherwise, it would have been a case of one body, but two lives lost, which would have been even more tragic,
After the maternity nurse and cook left, William came downstairs
Ashton noticed he had changed into a black suit and shaved his beard. He was once again the distinguished Mr. Middleton, who was worth billions. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Mr. Middleton, are you going out?”
William adjusted his watch. His former elegance now had a colder edge, making him seem even more unapproachable. “To the Westward Club. The vice president of Vertex Capital Holdings is waiting for me.”
Oh dear! Ashton slapped her forehead and said in frustration, “I’m sorry, Mr. Middleton. I almost forgot”
William didn’t scold her. In fact, he didn’t acknowledge it at all. He simply put on his leather shoes and walked out.
Ashton hurried to follow. She opened the car door, and as William got in, he suddenly said, “Find me a new place closer to the company.”
Ashton instinctively asked, “Aren’t you staying in Eastbay anymore?”
Eastbay was his favorite home, where he had lived for five to six years. Why the sudden change?
William closed his eyes. Ashton couldn’t help but feel she had overstepped. She quickly nodded, saying, “Yes,” and shut the car door before moving to the passenger seat.
The car started. Ashton wondered if William wanted to move because Eastbay was filled with too many memories of Emelie that he couldn’t face.
Was this reluctance to face the past due to sadness, pain, or perhaps guilt or avoidance?
These were things that only he knew.