Chapter 346: You Will Live a Good Life

Bill’s dull eyes lit up slightly when he saw my face. I didn’t know what he was thinking—regret, remorse, or perhaps relief that, even though Zoey’s soul had departed, at least her body remained? He patted my hand and said nothing. We were at a restaurant. Bill broke the silence.

“Your mom’s doing well since the divorce. I went with her for her prenatal checkup, and the baby is healthy.”

I nodded. In fact, my mom had contacted me as soon as she got off the plane. She hadn’t abandoned me. Therefore, I had a clear understanding of her current condition. Bill had never shared these details with me before, but things had changed. Perhaps he was trying to be a better father now, so I didn’t kick him while he was down.

“That’s good to hear. Mom told me you gave her more than half your fortune. But honestly, what she wanted wasn’t material things; it was companionship.”

Bill explained, “That’s what she and the child deserve. I won’t remarry. Those properties mean nothing to me. At his level, money was simply a string of cold numbers.” Even though he gave Mom most of his fortune, the daily revenue he generated was far beyond what ordinary people could even imagine.

I was pleased that he felt this way. Maybe if he’d turned around sooner, Mom wouldn’t have left. I poured him a cup of hot tea. He took a few sips to clear his throat, holding the cup in his hand. He still wore the wedding ring on his left hand, the one he’d bought with Mom. He never took it off, even after their divorce.

“There were years when I thought your mom didn’t love me, that she only cared for her first love. I was angry with her, trying to tame her. However, as Monica continued to stir things up, our misunderstandings deepened, leading me to focus all my energy on the company. I used to believe that even if she didn’t love me, she would never leave me, and I wouldn’t allow her to be with Nicholas.”

He smiled bitterly. “Now I realize, a long time ago, I had fallen in love with her, but I didn’t even know it. I pushed her away without realizing it, and now it’s too late to fix anything.”

“As far as I know, Mom never got together with Nicholas after the divorce.”

“Yeah,” Bill replied. He tilted his head back and drained his tea, almost as if consuming a shot of strong liquor, an act filled with profound sorrow. As he looked up, I saw tears welling in the corners of his eyes.

“It was my petty thoughts that misjudged her.” Bill’s hand trembled as he held the cup as he cursed himself. “I was so stupid! I didn’t cherish a good relationship and ended up driving her away.”

“Dad…”

He wiped away a tear and said, “It’s fine. Now that Nicholas is taking care of her, I feel at peace.” This immature man, after all he had gone through, had finally matured. He understood now that truly loving someone wasn’t about possession and control; it was about letting her go.

Mom was now living a single life, enjoying it thoroughly. After taking care of all the legal matters, she found a beautiful little town to live in and focused on her pregnancy. There was no disturbance from the outside world in that place. The area was surrounded by ranches, mountains, rivers, and fields where sheep ran freely. Mom had sent me pictures. The scenery was beautiful, and she looked carefree, smiling freely. She was young, and with a baby on the way, she looked even younger. Nicholas lived next door and spent his days with her. Mom said she had bought a farm, where she kept many animals. She could watch a hen raise its chicks for hours. Seeing her in such a good state made me happy for her. After being tied down her whole life, she was finally free. She hadn’t jumped from one failed marriage straight into another.

Maybe she still held some special feelings for Bill, but I wasn’t privy to that. I couldn’t understand her thoughts. Emotions, like the stock market, could change in an instant. No one knows what the future holds, and everyone has their own destiny.

“Zoey, I came back this time not only to deal with Monica but also to give you the responsibility of managing the branch company.”

“Me?”

Bill nodded and said, “I looked into your background. You were very capable at Bolton Group. If it’s you, I can trust it. Besides, the Boltons are also in Snowville; you’ll be in charge of expanding into new markets.”

I remembered how full of energy Bill was when he first came to Snowville. After the divorce, he seemed to have lost all interest in expanding his career. It made sense. No matter how much money he earned, it would mean nothing without the support of his children and wife. He had lost his parents at a young age, and during that time, the Gardners fought him for his family inheritance. Though he won, he lost his family. It was like a lone wolf, separated from the pack, walking alone through the snow, his figure lonely and desolate.

“What are your plans for the future?” I asked.

Bill smiled helplessly and said, “I want to atone.”

“How do you plan to atone?”

“When Zoey was alive, I couldn’t be a good father or husband. I hope to use the rest of my life to make up for the mistakes I made. Even if your mom never forgives me, I want to protect her and ensure the baby is born healthy.”

This motivated him to make all the necessary arrangements at home. His purpose in coming here was to transfer control of the branch office to me. For someone so focused on his career, it was surprising that he was willing to leave everything behind and go to that remote town, not even remaining as a husband to protect Mom.

I just pictured him with Nicholas and thought of one thing: you three living well was more important than anything else. In the end, will Mom choose her long-lost love or her ex-husband? I’ll wait and see. This middle-aged love story in a small town was strangely interesting. During the meal, Bill and I talked a lot. I believe if Zoey were watching from above, she’d be pleased.

Before leaving, I suddenly remembered something.

“Dad, can you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

I told Bill about the charity concert, and he was furious when he heard it.

“That idiot still hasn’t learned her lesson, using my name to scam people. I came back to clean up this mess. Since she’s so stubborn, I won’t hold back anymore.”

Reflecting on the memories from Zoey’s point of view continued, ‘Sadie is not only stupid but also malicious. She did a lot of things behind your back that hurt Zoey. She was the main cause of Zoey’s depression, and I won’t let her get away with it.”

Bill assured me, “You don’t have to worry about me. I only feel hatred for that imposter.”

We were in agreement, and I felt a sense of relief. Carter and I went home, knowing Bill would handle Monica and her daughter. After meeting Bill, it felt like a weight had lifted from my heart. Mom started posting on social media after the divorce; her latest post was a beautiful starry sky. Bill and Nicholas both liked it instantly. I couldn’t help but smile at this.

“What’s so funny?” Carter pulled me onto his lap.

I showed him the phone and said, “I’m smiling because Mom finally saw the light. I wonder when I’ll have that chance. I’d like to let go of everything and live a carefree life with you. Look at how beautiful the stars are.”

“Chloe, that day will come soon.” He pulled me close, his eyes shining like stars. “I’ll make sure this life of yours is peaceful and smooth, free from harm.”