Chapter 576
576
Back then, William knew how worried I was about Irvin. I was scared he’d never wake up, and that fear weighed on me constantly.
William quietly took care of me in small ways, like making sure I ate properly, but never showed anything beyond that.
But now, he knew that burden had finally lifted from my heart. It was time for him to put in a little more effort.
When Ava heard what he said, she huffed teasingly, “Please, don’t count me in as your princess. I asked you countless times to go shopping with me, and you always said no.
“But now that Aunt Emi is going, you just show up without even being asked. Hmph! She’s the only princess in your heart!” She was saying it to vouch for William, letting me know how important I was to him.
And it was true. No matter how much Ava had begged him before, he never once had the time to go shopping with her.
But she was just saying it playfully. She wasn’t mad at all. William Had always been incredibly busy. Sometimes she wouldn’t even see him for weeks.
Looking at his niece, who was once sick, now full of life and energy, a gentle warmth spread through his chest.
He reached out and ruffled her hair. “That was my bad. From now on, whenever my dear Ava wants to go shopping , I’ll go with you. And just get whatever you want today. It’s all on me.”
Ava grinned. “Then I won’t hold back!”
She hooked her arm around mine and said, “Come on, Aunt Emi! Let’s max out Uncle Will’s credit card today.”
She looked so happy that I didn’t want to dampen her mood. I chuckled and said, “Yes! Let’s max it out!”
William watched us walk away, arm in arm, off to shop happily. A wave of emotions rose in him. He couldn’t express it, but it felt so warm and beautiful.
He wished every day of his life could be like this. He wanted the people he loved and cared for to always be this happy and carefree.
He had lost both his parents shortly after he was born. His older brother suddenly had to take over the family responsibilities and was constantly busy, so William was mostly raised by nannies. He never really knew what family warmth felt like.
When he got a little older, he was sent to a strict elite boarding school.
By the time the Ashfords‘ business had stabilized, his brother realized he’d neglected William. So, he pulled him out of school, hoping to rebuild their bond.
But just as that began, they were ambushed. His brother and sister–in–law died protecting him.
He had barely gotten a taste of love from family before he was forced to grow up overnight. He took on the responsibility to care for his niece and nephew, who were left behind, and to uphold the Ashfords‘ legacy.
From that point on, all he’d been experiencing was the darkest side of life. And it had made him colder and more emotionless.
Even though Ava and Noah were the most important people to him he never knew how to express love to them.
When he saw the occasional fear in their eyes, he wanted to change how he was with them and make things better, but he didn’t know how.
Now, he no longer needed to figure out how to change. Their little family was slowly becoming warm and whole on its own .
And he truly loved it.
The more he was used to spending time in the cold and darkness, the more he longed for warmth and light.
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