Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 114

Chapter 114: My Heart Is Yours
Look for Elsie?

Nathaniel pursed his lips, letting Andrea’s words sink into his mind. Staring at his mother, he was aware this was not the first time she suggested such a matter.

Every time Andrea brought up the issue, Nathaniel had to fight the intense yearning in his heart from spiraling.

If he followed his desire, he would agree without missing a beat.

Unfortunately… his mind forbade him.

Interlocking his fingers together, Nathaniel’s brown eyes darted from Andrea’s face to his hands. Her question repeated in his mind, weighing heavily in his heart.

Nathaniel knew he could find Elsie if he tried. The immense power he held now, combined with the extensive network he possessed, meant that locating her was possible.

He was no longer the same powerless and naive boy, abandoned at the orphanage who thirsted for revenge.

But, despite all of his longing for Elsie, Nathaniel’s answer disappointed not only Andrea but, also himself.

“How could I, Mom?” Nathaniel began, his voice cracked, carrying slight tremors from his aching heart, “I’m unworthy of her after the danger… I put her through.”

Years had passed yet, the intensity of his regrets and guilt remained.

No matter how much Nathaniel yearned to embrace Elsie in his arms again, breathing in her familiar scent, he also didn’t have the courage to face her.

Andrea held back from sighing. It was the same answer Nathaniel gave her whenever she suggested he look for Elsie.

“…I cannot,” Nathaniel shook his head, his movement showing his lack of energy, “I took her for granted because I was blinded… by revenge.”

He did achieve his lifelong goal, but, at what cost?

Losing her, the one who had been by his side for as long as he could remember.

Clasping her hands, Andrea once again assessed Nathaniel. Her heart was torn from seeing the evident sorrow on his face.

She might not have given birth to him herself nor did she raise him from infancy but, Andrea loved Nathaniel as if he was her biological son.

Nathaniel was a quiet young man yet, intelligent and hardworking. Andrea knew him from the early days when he started working under her husband.

When Russell and Andrea officially adopted him over ten years ago, they experienced setbacks in establishing their familial relationship. In the end, they overcame everything.

Nathaniel was their child, no matter whose blood flowed in his veins.

That was one reason Andrea didn’t stop Nathaniel when he executed revenge on his paternal family over five years ago. Russell also was the same.

Parting her lips, Andrea’s tender voice echoed, imbued with concern, “Nate, have you forgotten the letter Elsie sent you after she left? Of what she said?”

Nathaniel froze. His mind immediately wandered to the letter he kept by his bedside. He reread and held the paper so often it almost wore out.

The letter accompanied him, especially during the sleepless nights when he terribly yearned for her. He remembered every word written on the paper by heart.

‘My dear beloved Niel,

I’m sorry for being too cowardly. Please, don’t ever blame yourself for my leaving.

Please stay safe. Please be happy. You deserve to live a much better life after everything you’ve gone through.

I’m sorry I can’t accompany you by your side anymore. I’ll forever cherish our memories together.

My heart is yours,

Elsie’

Nathaniel received the letter not long after Elsie disappeared, around two weeks after the chaos. Its arrival did nothing to ease his worries as he had been living on edge.

‘My heart is yours.’

That was what they often said to each other. Without a doubt, no one forged this letter.

In his panic and desperation, Nathaniel summoned his people to look for Elsie, only to retract the order shortly.

Nathaniel battled his immense desire to find Elsie, knowing how wrongly he had treated her before the chaos unfolded.

Who was he to beg her to return to his side? He lost the right after being too stubborn and blind in his quest for revenge.

He ignored her plea of stopping the revenge altogether by persuading her that it almost came to an end.

Indeed.

He didn’t deserve to be with her again.

She was dragged into that mess because of him, and… even losing their child.

The image of the red blood staining the floor was still vivid in his mind, constricting his heart in immense pain. He couldn’t imagine how she struggled when he was away.

It was terrible enough to force her to flee.

Exhaling a sigh, Nathaniel endured the piercing pain clawing into his heart. Even after years, the ache was still the same.

Tremors flared to Nathaniel’s entire body as he tried to stabilize the whirlwind of his emotions. He gripped his hands into fists, hoping to lessen the shaking.

“Mom, I’ll escort you to your room,” was what Nathaniel said after a moment of silence. His tone, despite bearing his sadness and longing, had a hint of finality.

Understanding that Nathaniel no longer wanted to discuss the topic, Andrea nodded. She refrained from sighing, feeling bad for pushing her son to face his fear.

“Okay. Your dad might look for me if I don’t return soon,” replied Andrea, followed by a weak smile.

Nathaniel shook his head. Rising to his feet, he said, “Dad sleeps like a log usually. Not even an earthquake can wake him up.”

Chuckles slipped out of Andrea’s lips. She knew that Nathanial attempted to ease the tension in the air.

Nathaniel sent Andrea to the guest bedroom. As expected, Russell was so deep in his sleep.

“Get more sleep, Nate,” said Andrea, patting Nathaniel’s back gently, “You should sleep in this morning. Don’t worry about your dad and me.”

“Good night, Mom. Don’t go back to the kitchen for another hot chocolate.”

Nathaniel promised nothing. He understood that Andrea was simply being concerned about him.

“Hehe, I won’t.”

Andrea waved at Nathaniel before disappearing inside the room. The man remained standing in the hallway until his mother closed the door shut.

Pursing his lips, Nathaniel ran his fingers through his ebony locks. His countenance still darkened from the glum shrouding his heart.