Chapter 235
“After she dies, he discovers the truth and breaks down at her grave, wishing she’d come back.”
William’s voice softened. “I feel sorry for her. While she was alive, he never said he loved her. Only at her tombstone does he declare his love.”
He looked at me directly. “What good is love that comes too late?‘
The question hit close to home. This character is too similar to me…except I’m not that lucky. At least the guy in the show actually loved her. Even if I died, Blake probably wouldn’t notice.
I forced a smile. ‘Is that storyline really enough to make you cry?”
“I wasn’t crying!” William protested. “Something got in my eye!”
I laughed. “William, you need a better excuse.”
“Cheeky girl,” he grumbled good–naturedly. “You disappear for days, then show up just to make fun of me?”
“Of course not. I missed you and wanted to visit.”
I prepared his tea, moving with the familiar routine developed over years. William settled back, watching me.
“Do you think feelings that come too late have any worth?” he asked suddenly.
I considered it seriously. “Love delayed is love denied. If you don’t cherish someone while you’re together, then suddenly can’t let go after losing them – that’s not love. It’s just possessiveness.”
“What do you think, William?”
William snorted. “Exactly! If you can’t properly cherish someone and choose someone else, what right do you have to chase after them once you’re apart?”
He looked somewhere behind me, voice hardening. “What a Coward!!”
His anger seemed extreme for our theoretical discussion, but I assumed he was still caught up in the TV drama.
“Don’t get so invested in television, Grandpa. It’s bad for your health.”
William huffed. “You’re right. Some people aren’t worth my energy!”
I took a deep breath. “William, Blake announced he and Laurel are getting engaged next week… Did you know?”
His hand froze, teacup in mid–air. “That boy’s lost his mind!”
“He was always going to end up with her,” I said carefully. “You know better than anyone how strong their connection is.”
William sighed heavily. “Blake’s always been too sentimental. He’s with Laurel because she saved his life. He promised to take care of her forever…”
“When Blake woke up from his coma under your care, I told him you were his savior too. Without you, his recovery wouldn’t have happened so
fast.”
He shook his head. “You both saved him. Yet he only sees her.”
A bitter realization washed over me. Blake’s supposed debt to Laurel was just an excuse he fed to William. His actions told the real story.
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Chapter 235
If life debts meant so much to him, why did he never return to Pinehaven Village after leaving? I waited there for an entire year, convinced he’d come back for me.
I stayed until bulldozers tore through the village and the clinic shut down. Only then did I finally walk away.
For over a year, he never once looked back.
–
I used to make excuses for him his eyes weren’t healed yet, he was too busy. Then I saw him with Laurel at the nursing home where I caref for William, and the truth hit me.
It wasn’t lack of time. He’d simply forgotten me.
I took a deep breath. “William, I know you care about me, but you can’t force feelings. During our marriage, neither of us was happy. You saw
that.
I poured him fresh tea. “I’ll still visit you regularly. My feelings for you won’t change just because Blake marries someone else.”
William exhaled deeply. “Fine. I’m done meddling in this mess.”
He reached under the coffee table and pulled out a folder. “This is a copy of my will.”
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