AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Absently, I chew a bite of popcorn and wonder how Emma is doing. She has become an ally of sorts and the thought of her being sick… well not only am I concerned about her because I like her and have grown to care about her but there’s a small part that wonders if William will hire someone else to check on me if she becomes too ill to do it. I’m certain they won’t be nearly as compassionate as Emma.
“She’s going to be fine, Irelynn. I’m certain of it. And whatever she can’t do, I’ll take care of.” William’s blue eyes watch me intently, as though he can read my mannerisms and face well enough to know exactly what I’m worried about.
I raise my eyes skeptically. “You can cook?”
He laughs. “Very well, actually. You’ve eaten some of my food. Remember dinner two nights ago? I made it.”
My hand hits the bowl of popcorn, nearly tipping it over. William grabs it and keeps it from spilling all over the bed as I shoot up, my eyes wide. “You made that? The lamb, roasted potatoes, macaroni, and veggies that we ate for dinner?”
He nods, chuckling. “Don’t look so surprised. My mom was an excellent cook. Though we hired cooks in my father’s mansion, whenever my dad was out of town, my mom used to cook for me. I helped her when I was young, obviously, since she passed away when I was ten.” He pauses, his eyes dropping to his lap, wincing from the pain. He releases a long sigh. “Then Emma taught me. I make excellent chocolate chip cookies. I’ll have to make you some.”
My mouth is still hanging open from shock, my incredulous stare locked on his face.
“Do you want me to throw a piece of popcorn in your mouth? Is that why it’s hanging open like that?” There’s a smirk on his face, but his eyes sparkle with humor.
I lightly slap his arm, laughing. “I’m just stunned.”
“Clearly.” He takes a drink from his glass of soda. His tone is sarcastic as he says, “I don’t bathe in diamonds, Irelynn. Nor do I make the servants wait on me hand and foot.” He pauses, his vacant stare moving to the ceiling as he leans his head back against the pillows. “I’m not my father.”
Since he brought him up.
I gingerly touch his forearm, butterflies taking flight in my stomach. I have no idea how he’ll react. “What’s your father like?”
William’s muscles tense and his face hardens. He continues staring at the ceiling for several beats and I figure he’s not going to answer, so I turn back to the movie.
His voice draws my attention to him. “Demanding as hell. Expects perfection. Manipulative and cold. Selfish should be his middle name because his interestsalwayscome before anyone else’s.” William’s stare is pained and his hands clenched into fists. “My childhood was terrible. If I disobeyed any of his rules the slightest bit, I was punished.” His eyes narrow. “I once dropped a Christmas ornament when mom and I were decorating the tree. It crashed onto the floor, breaking into pieces.” He swallows hard, clenching his jaw. “I was beaten with a belt and locked inside a closet in the basement beneath our mansion. It was more like a dungeon—cold and terrifying, especially to a seven-year-old little boy.”
My hands cover my mouth as tears well in my eyes. “How terrible,” I choke out, sympathy crashing through me.
“I can tell you so many stories like it. One of the worst was when I broke a vase and he locked me in a closet for days, with no food or water. My mom tried to get me out, but he beat her and tied her to the bed.” Rage mottles his face, turning it a deep maroon. He squeezes the ceramic bowl so hard I’m afraid it’s going to shatter.
“God, Will.” Tears flow down my cheeks. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
His vacant stare softens as he looks at me, like a frozen stream melting in the spring. My hand wraps around his forearm, squeezing gently as our gazes remain locked on the other.
His voice is soft. “You have nothing to be sorry about. Myfatheris the one who did those things to me.” His hand clenches into a fist. “He’s the one who should be fucking sorry. But Gregory Andersonneverapologizes for anything.”
My hands tighten into fists. “He’s an asshole who should apologize and beg for your forgiveness. Though that still wouldn’t be enough. He never should have done any of it in the first damn place.” My voice rises. “That’s abuse, Will.”
William’s eyes widened slightly. “I’ve never seen you so passionately angry.”
“Well, I am.” I hop off the bed, pacing around the room. “Because he’s rich and powerful he got away with it, didn’t he? No one would help you or your mom, right?” I spin around, my blonde curls flaring out around me. My hands are curled into fists on my hips and my breathing is heavy from my anger.
He nods, his face full of shock and disbelief. His eyes trail me as I continue to pace. “I just hate shit like that. You were damaged from his abuse, carrying the scars around for the rest of your life, and he suffers no consequences for his behavior.” I shake my head, stopping in front of the window, staring at the darkness that blankets the woods surrounding us, lending an eerie atmosphere to the area.
I don’t hear him come up behind me, but his reflection in the window draws my attention from the outside world to him. He stops behind me and gently puts his hands on my shoulders. Standing there for a few minutes, I wait to see what he’ll do. But he doesn’t move, nor does he speak.
I slowly spin around, and William drops his hands from my shoulders. His eyes are soft as he whispers, “Thank you for caring, Irelynn. About… what happened in my childhood.”
Nodding, I tilt my head, staring at his face. He reminds me of a little kid who has finally been acknowledged for the silent suffering he has experienced for years.
Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. But I refuse to believe it’s too late for William. I grab his hand, squeezing. “I know he hurt you, Will, and I’m so fucking sorry for that. But you get to choose the type of person you want to be.” I lean closer, my voice impassioned as I squeeze his hands. “Beneath it all, you are agoodman. I know, because I’ve seen glimpses of him.”
His head drops and he sadly shakes his head. “No, Irelynn, I’m not.”
I squeeze his hand harder. “Yes, you are. Look how much you care for Emma. Look at all you are doing for her, Will. You don’t have to be the cold, callous, unfeeling William. You can be the caring and compassionate, Will.”
A battle rages across his face. Disappointment rocks through me as I watch him erect the wall of arrogance and narcissism around himself like a veil covering his face and body, cloaking him in darkness. It is his protection, hiding his vulnerabilities, making him feel powerful and invincible.
