Chapter 335
William left the hotel hours after he and Michelle's engagement party ended, having spent two additional hours with Michelle's parents. It was only then that he finally went home.
Patrick and Sophia were at home, upset that Hayden had arrived visibly pregnant, while William showed no concern. Despite this, Hayden remained composed, avoiding any drama or accusations. She simply gave her gifts and blessings before leaving, leaving Patrick frustrated.Patrick and Sophia had been at home waiting for him, stewing over how today Hayden had shown up heavily pregnant, while William had been cruelly indifferent. Yet, Hayden had maintained her composure, not making a scene or casting blame. She had lightly delivered her gifts and blessings before leaving, which frustrated Patrick immensely.
Patrick and Sophia cared more about Hayden and her unborn twins, even though William was Patrick's son and he hadn't spent much time with Hayden.Despite William being his flesh and blood and only having met Hayden a handful of times, the empathy Patrick and Sophia felt at that moment was for Hayden and the twins she was carrying.
When William returned, Patrick, without a word, swung his hand and slapped William across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the spacious living room.
"Patrick, what're you doing? Let's talk it out; there is no need to get physical here!" Sophia hurried to intervene, placing herself between Patrick and William.
Patrick glanced at Sophia and then turned his steely gaze back to William, who remained silent with an air of nonchalance. It had been years since Patrick had last touched his son in anger.
Patrick was well aware of William's significant achievements in the retail industry, and these accomplishments had always filled him with pride. William had been the envy of many for having such a successful son.
Never before had William ignited Patrick's fury like he had with the situation involving Hayden.
He felt that the entire Bennett family had let Hayden down.
"So, what's your plan for dealing with the mess you've made with Hayden?" Patrick asked, struggling to control his rage.
William, with a mysterious smile that gave away no emotion, replied in a low tone, "Didn't you see and hear it all? Miss Forrest wished Michelle and me sweetness and happiness forever. It would be a shame not to fulfill her kind intentions."
"You..." Patrick began, his anger flaring up again.
"William, can't you tell that Hayden was being sarcastic?" Patrick nearly lifted his hand again, but Sophia quickly caught it, her voice tinged with desperation.
Watching Hayden strut around with that big belly harboring my grandchildren while my son is engaged to another woman, ready to abandon his flesh and blood...
‘My heart... it's as if it's bleeding.’
"I don't take that as sarcasm, and I won't let her kindness go unappreciated. From now on, Michelle and I are going to be blissfully in love, inseparable." With these words, William stepped past Patrick and Sophia, heading straight for the stairs.
He didn't realize returning late would cause trouble. Still, he hurried home, prepared for Patrick's anger and his parents' disapproval. He hoped it would make him feel better to be scolded by his parents and let Patrick vent his frustration.How could he not know that coming back at this hour was asking for trouble?
Yet he rushed back, willing to face Patrick's wrath and ready to be chastised by his own parents.
He thought he'd feel better after letting his parents scold him over Hayden and after letting Patrick take his anger out on him.
But no, he didn't feel any better at all.
At this moment, his heart felt as though myriad unseen hands were ripping it apart, the pain so intense that his whole body shook uncontrollably.
‘Damn you, Hayden!
How could she do this?’
How could she stay hidden while he desperately looked for her, only to appear just as he was about to marry another woman? She presents him with a porcelain doll, a reminder of their past, in front of everyone while confidently wishing him a happy future with someone else.How could she hide when he was desperately searching for her and then emerge from the shadows just as he's engaged to another woman? She presents him with a porcelain doll in front of everyone—a symbol of the past he had lovingly crafted—while arrogantly wishing him a happy future with another woman.
‘Hayden!
Oh, Hayden!
Fine! I'll play along — do as you wish. I won't stand in your way.’
"Freeze!" Just as he was about to reach the staircase, Patrick's furious voice boomed from behind. "You don't have to marry Hayden. That's your choice. But the child in her womb carries the Bennett bloodline. You can't simply turn your back on that."
"I'm looking forward to grandchildren." William stopped in his tracks, slowly turned around, and, with a mysterious smirk, teased, "Don't worry; Michelle and I will give you plenty of grandkids to dote on."
He then resumed his climb upstairs.
"Bro!" Teresa and Gabriel called out as they entered, catching sight of William about to ascend.
"Gabriel, Teresa, you're here." Seeing Teresa and Gabriel somehow softened Patrick and Sophia's expression.
"Mom, Dad," Gabriel said calmly as he walked into the living room with Teresa in his arms.
Sophia nodded, her voice tinged with concern, "Teresa, you're not fully recovered. Don't be out and about so much; stay home and rest up."
"Mom, don't worry about me, . I'm fine." Teresa breezed past Sophia and Patrick, making a beeline for William. She took his hand with determined sincerity and asked, "Bro, are you really done with Hayden for good?"
William met Teresa's gaze, his dark eyes unreadable, lips parting, but ultimately, not a single word escaped.
Standing beside Sophia and Patrick, Gabriel watched William calmly, his hand casually in his pocket, but he stayed silent. He didn't know what William was thinking, and he had no intention of getting involved in his love life.Gabriel, standing beside Sophia and Patrick with one hand casually in his pocket, watched William with a calm gaze but remained silent.
William's thoughts were a mystery to him, and he had no intention of meddling in someone else's love life.
"Bro, the twins Hayden's carrying are your flesh and blood. If there's even a shred of desire left in you to be with her, don't do something you'll regret," Teresa pleaded. The flicker of hesitation in William's eyes was unmistakably clear to her.
She had always known Hayden held a place in William's heart.
"Never. I won't regret it," William declared with a resoluteness that belied the brief moment of doubt.
Teresa's grip loosened gradually as she looked up at the elder brother she'd always deeply admired. Disappointment filled her eyes, unmistakable yet unspoken.
