Chapter 583 Don't Want to Go Back to the Past
Margaret looked up, her tears soaking into Raymond's shirt, darkening the fabric.
"We've got enough money now, Raymond. Please, don't push yourself so hard. You're the rock of this family. If something happens to you, I don't know what I'd do. I can't handle any more changes," Margaret said, her voice breaking. "Because of you, my parents are gone. I have no family left. Now, I finally have Felicity, you, and a stable home. I don't want to go back to those hard times."
Her eyes were red, and she looked pitiful, like a stray kitten seeking comfort, curling up against him.
Raymond's heart ached. He reached out to wipe her tears and pulled her close. She cried, "Is it the project that's causing problems?"
"Yeah," Raymond replied.
"If it's too tough, just let it go. I want you to be happy. If this project is so hard to push forward, maybe letting it go is the best choice."
He held her tightly, as if trying to merge her into his body, his voice weary but determined. "Margaret, I'm sorry."
He regretted his mistakes and was sorry for hurting her again.
"You don't need to apologize. You're the man who risked everything for me. I'm willing to stand by you. Nothing and no one can separate us," Margaret said, looking up at his chin. "Promise me you'll try to share your burdens with me. Let me help you."
"Margaret..." He felt a heavy weight on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
She thought his pride was getting in the way. "I know you care about your image, but you don't need to put on a brave face with me. We're a team. I'll give you time to think about it. Tell me, let me help you. We're in this together. You can trust me unconditionally. Treat me as your partner, okay, Raymond?"
This was the kind of wife Raymond had always dreamed of—understanding, supportive, willing to share his burdens. But he felt unworthy of her love.
He closed his eyes and murmured, "It will all pass. Trust me."
As for being honest, he still couldn't bring himself to do it. It was a ticking time bomb, and revealing it might make things worse.
Margaret didn't realize his concerns, thinking he just didn't want her to worry, which made her feel even more for him.
Two days later.
Walter and Daniel took turns driving and finally reached the address on the map.
They found themselves in a sparsely populated mountainous area.
It was summer, and the tall corn stood like sentinels in the fields.
Surrounded by mountains, the landscape was a patchwork of green hills and clear waters.
The sky was a deep blue.
Unknown insects chirped in the woods.
They knew Della's hometown was remote, but they hadn't expected it to be this isolated.
The asphalt road ended halfway, and a winding dirt path was the only way forward.
They asked a passerby for directions and followed a guide along a weed-covered path.
Walter and Daniel, both in suits, looked out of place on the rural trail.
Carrying bags of gifts, they walked for over ten minutes.
Sweat soaked Daniel's shirt, and his hair, which had once been neatly styled, was now disheveled, but it didn't detract from his handsome appearance.
They arrived at a dilapidated house, clearly showing signs of extreme poverty.
The guide called out, and a middle-aged woman, reeking of alcohol and wearing patched clothes, came out. She was flushed from drinking and annoyed at being disturbed.
When she learned that Daniel was there to marry her daughter, her face lit up, and she eagerly pulled Daniel inside.
The house was simple, with a rickety table and a few stools.
The guide went to find the daughter.
Gifts filled half the room, and the woman touched them with shining eyes, inviting Daniel and Walter to sit.
She began talking about her family. "Sir, we're poor, but my daughter is beautiful. She used to work in the city, had a relationship, but came back after they broke up. She's good-looking and can do everything—take care of a man, cook, clean."
"Ma'am, where's your husband?" Walter asked, rubbing his nose.
"Still gambling. He won't come back until dark. He eats, does nothing, and only gambles," she complained.
"Do you have any other children?" Walter asked.
"Yes, a son. He's still in school and hasn't come home yet. He's very smart. You'll like him."
Daniel and Walter exchanged glances. This was the right place; the information matched.
Daniel stepped outside to smoke, looking at the poor surroundings. Della had grown up here, enduring many hardships.
He was glad he came to find her. Otherwise, with her pregnancy, it would have been a dead end for her.
Holding the cigarette, he wondered if Della had lost or gained weight.
What would her reaction be when she saw him?
Would she miss him as much as he missed her?
Thinking about seeing her soon, Daniel couldn't help but smile.
Finally, they would meet.
After finishing his cigarette, he returned inside to chat with the woman.
He was charming and sweet, making her laugh and quickly agree to the marriage. Daniel was pleased.
The woman eagerly brought out fruit from their trees, offering it to Daniel and Walter. Walter didn't want to eat, but seeing Daniel, he reluctantly took a green peach.
Daniel peeled it and gave the first piece to the woman.
She was overjoyed, thinking her daughter was lucky to find such a handsome and polite man. She believed he would treat her daughter well, and their family would prosper.
Finally, the door opened, and the guide's voice called out, "Your daughter is back."
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