Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 301

Chapter 301: Never Stopped Loving You
After dessert, Mr. Winslow rose from his chair. With a gentle smile, he said to Nathaniel, “Nate, care to join me for a walk in the garden? I find it helps with my digestion.”

Nathaniel blinked for a moment, surprised by the invitation. Then, he nodded quickly, “Of course, sir. I’d be glad to accompany you.”

Elsie threw Nathaniel a subtle look as he stood, encouraging but mildly anxious. Lorianne was still with Mrs. Winslow, growing sleepy as she listened to her grandmother’s lull of a voice.

Nathaniel followed Mr. Winslow to the garden outside. Countless whats swirled in his mind, realizing the older man certainly would talk about Elsie and Lorianne.

The moment Nathaniel and Mrs. Winslow stepped beyond the threshold, the crisp night air greeted them. The breeze carried the scent of soil, fallen leaves and something floral.

Mr. Winslow walked at a slow, yet steady pace with hands clasped behind his back. Unsure of how and where to begin, Nathaniel could only mirror his pace for now. The soles of their shoes touched the cobblestone pathway.

The silence stretched between them for a while until Mr. Winslow broke it, almost startling Nathaniel. His voice was deep and even with a trace of kindness.

“When she decided to come looking for you and introduce Lorrie, we were worried, you know.”

Nathaniel looked over, his face tensed, “Elsie?”

Mr. Winslow nodded. He paused at a turn in the path, looking up at the stars. Nathaniel also halted his steps, his eyes staring at the older man.

“We knew she never stopped loving you even after years. She blamed you in the beginning, then she blamed herself. To me and my wife, the circumstances made you both victims.”

Nathaniel felt his throat parched suddenly and his heart stuffy. Pushing his hands into his coat pockets, he exhaled a sigh.

“I failed her, that one was true. My revenge blinded me so much that I didn’t consider how it’d impact our future together. The day she went missing, I looked for her… I thought she’d died… with our unborn child. Then… I received her letter.”

“She was still far from Death’s door,” Mr. Winslow replied, his voice softening, “My wife’s friend was so panicked when she asked us to look for her. Elsie was barely conscious and bruised, but thankfully, she was generally fine.”

Nathaniel closed his eyes for a moment, the image searing itself into his mind. He felt tears well up, but he didn’t dare to cry — not when he still condemned himself for being the cause of her suffering.

Elsie reminded him time and again to put the blame away, but Nathaniel couldn’t help it. To him, his stubbornness and lack of concern resulted in their separation.

“My wife is a doctor. She personally treated Elsie,” Mr. Winslow continued, “My wife insisted we take her in. At first, it should be temporary. Then, we gradually loved her. There was something about Elsie. She was broken inside but fierce.”

“She always had that fire. She’s also kind,” Nathaniel murmured, the ghost of a smile laced his lips, “Since our time in the orphanage. Most of the children loved her, especially the younger ones.”

Mr. Winslow gave Nathaniel a slight smile. He and his wife had heard stories about Elsie’s time in the orphanage, the place where she first met a scarred boy who later became the love of her life.

“Elsie, she often looked up for your news. We offered to bring her back to you, but the incident left her traumatized. Then, we decided to bring her and Lorrie, who was still an infant, to our home country.”

Nathaniel was quiet for a moment. His gaze drifted toward the nearby flower bed, “Yes. Elsie told me how you and your wife took her and Lorrie in. Also about the adoption.”

Mr. Winslow nodded once, his smile softened further, “Elsie will never have our blood, but she’s still our daughter regardless of everything. And Lorrie… That little one is our pride and joy. A kind soul, we think she’s too pure for this world.”

Nathaniel said nothing. He could sense how genuine Mr. Winslow, including his wife, was to both Elsie and Lorianne. The pair of spouses treated their adopted daughter and grandchild well.

Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, the people who had cradled Elsie’s pain. They also loved her without questions and helped raise the daughter Nathaniel never knew he had.

The breeze suddenly picked up, sending the fallen leaves spiraling above the ground. The moonlight illuminated the gravel under their feet, and above, the branches swayed.

“I want you to understand something, Nate,” Mr. Winslow resumed, “We were worried about you coming back into their lives. It isn’t something we feared, but more to caution. Elsie… she’s strong now, but we remember how fragile she once was.”

Nathaniel met Mr. Winslow’s gaze. He said firmly, “I’d never hurt her. Not again.”

Mr. Winslow studied the young man quietly, “You still love her, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Nathaniel nodded, replying without hesitation, “I never stopped loving her. I just didn’t continue looking for her because of my guilt. After the pain I’ve caused her, I thought she would be happier without me.”

“How about Lorrie?” Mr. Winslow mellowed his tone, “You’ve just met her for the first time recently.”

Nathaniel swallowed hard. He unconsciously gripped his hands into fists.

“Lorianne is my, our daughter, together. I missed five years I’d never get back, but I’m here now. I wish to be her father in every sense. To love her, to protect her, and to give her wings.”

Those were his wishes. He hoped to be an unshakeable mountain of support, flowing with a waterfall of a neverending love for the little one as she experienced the world.

Both Nathaniel and Elsie didn’t want Lorianne to experience what they went through during their childhood. They wished to be her safe haven and also to prepare her for the everchanging world.

She might fall and fail twice, or or more, but they would always be there for her.