Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 145

Chapter 145: I’ve Robbed You of the Chances
The gentle breeze carried Elsie’s soft voice laden with a heartfelt apology to Nathaniel. He blinked repeatedly, her face was a blur in his tear-glazed eyes.

Still, he could see the smile on her lips as the silhouette of the purple blossoms framed around her. The morning rays were also gentle on her, illuminating her countenance.

Did she really apologize to him?

What for?

No… She never had to apologize to him.

“…you don’t have… anything to apologize for,” Nathaniel forced himself to speak, his voice became hoarser than before, “It’s me. I’m the one who… owes you an apology.”

Despite his attempts to keep his composure from breaking, a single tear still dropped from Nathaniel’s eye, sliding down his left cheek. It glistened softly under the sunlight.

Elsie pursed her lips as she clenched her hands into fists. She held back from reaching for Nathaniel’s face to wipe his tears away—like she used to do countless times before.

“We should sit first,” Elsie resumed speaking, her voice hinting of slight tremors, “Shall we move there? I know we have a lot to talk about.”

Nathaniel nodded awkwardly, his reply was almost a whisper, “…yes.”

Elsie gestured at the archways where she waited for Nathaniel earlier. A set of garden chairs and a table were placed just under the delicate canopy of wisterias.

Nathaniel moved his right foot one step ahead, feeling his entire body suddenly weakened. His strides were slow as he followed Elsie to the archway. His brown eyes traced her figure from behind.

If this was before… Nathaniel wouldn’t hesitate to rush forward and surprise Elsie with a hug.

Her melodious laughter usually followed once she realized what he had done. He would answer by tightening his arms around her before burying his face in her silky hair.

‘Calm down… Whatever she wants to say, I have to hear her.’

The mystery behind Elsie’s sudden return after five years of disappearance still riddled Nathaniel’s mind. Among the countless whys, he couldn’t help but dread hearing any bad news.

Sitting on the wrought-iron chair across the table, Nathaniel kept his back straight. His brown eyes never strayed away from Elsie’s face who remained calmer than him.

The sunlight filtered through the lush wisteria petals hanging from the archways, casting soft shadows on them. The gentle breeze spread the fresh air, infused with the sweet floral scents from the blooming flowers.

“How have you been?”

Elsie parted her lips, trying to chase the awkward silence away. Her soft green eyes were locked on Nathaniel’s brown eyes, now tingeing with some redness.

“Fine… I mean, I’m alright. How about you?”

Nathaniel quickly added after blurting out the first word. He unconsciously grasped his knees, the veins throbbing on the back of his palms.

“I’m good too,” Elsie nodded once, seemingly contemplating her next words. She quietly assessed Nathaniel before saying, “My return has surprised you, isn’t it?”

Nathaniel responded with a stiff nod. He wanted to speak but, those words seemed to clog in his throat.

Elsie smiled albeit faintly. Exhaling a soft sigh, she continued speaking, understanding that Nathaniel was at a loss for words.

“Thank you for granting my request. I thought… you wouldn’t want to see me.”

His surprise was a given. She had predicted much when she decided to send him the e-mail.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel bad for him. After all, she had been living as if she was dead for the past five years. The only communication they had was the letter she sent him, albeit one-sided.

Nathaniel silently berated himself for being quiet. This was not the time to be swept away by his tumultuous emotions.

And… He wanted to make himself clear to her once again.

“Elsie… when… when you left before, I’ve never blamed you for it. Not even once.”

There. He said it.

Nathaniel anxiously watched the way Elsie’s eyes widened slightly. She blinked, her stare on him was blank. Thinking that she didn’t believe him, he reiterated.

“I’ve failed to protect you, Elsie… I’d rather you flee if it means… you’ll be safe.”

Nathaniel admitted his failure no matter how much regret his heart carried. He was too consumed in perfecting his revenge that he ignored Elsie’s pleas about their safety.

Including… the child she carried within her.

Elsie lowered her face, unable to look at Nathaniel in the eyes any longer. She stared at her hands, now clasping together. The weight of guilt in her heart prodded deeper into her conscience.

She had so many things she wanted to tell him.

How would he react?

Would his anger follow? After all, she knew how justified his feelings were.

Exhaling a sigh, Elsie told herself that she shouldn’t delay this anymore. Even though Nathaniel was not aware of anything, the fact remained that she had robbed him of the precious five years of…

“I don’t want to appear before you like this nor intend to disrupt your life after I’ve been gone for so long. But… I have to set a few things right.”

Elsie’s voice, despite still having some tremors, sounded more resolute. She lifted her chin, once again locking her eyes with Nathaniel’s.

Elsie’s remarks laden Nathaniel with confusion. His heart believed she had never done him wrong. Instead, it was the opposite.

“Elsie, you know that…”

“Please let me speak first,” Elsie interrupted Nathaniel, her tone firmer, “You might think only you’ve done me wrong but, I’m the same, Niel. I’ve hidden an important matter from you.”

Nathaniel was baffled. He couldn’t think what kind of crucial thing Elsie had concealed from him. Even if she truly did, he believed she had the right reasons for that.

His belief in her was just like that, unyielding like a thousands year old olive tree, resistant against the storms and all.

Helplessness shrouded Elsie’s heart. She understood what was in Nathaniel’s mind. Despite not seeing him in the past five years, she could tell what his thoughts were.

“All this time,” Elsie resumed, her voice lacing with the heaviness of her remorse, “I’ve hidden our daughter from you. I’ve robbed you of the chance of being her father.”

The second half of Elsie’s words were not registered in Nathaniel’s mind because the beginning was enough to freeze him in shock.

A daughter?

They… they had a daughter?

They didn’t lose their child five years ago?!