Watching the hope-filled eyes of Morwenna, Stuart felt a wave of panic wash over him. Years of imprisonment and torture had hardened him, making him believe he was fearless. But the sheer beauty of the present, the potential of a shared future with Morwenna, filled him with dread.
What if...
What if Morwenna discovered the facade Stuart initially presented? That his gentleness was merely a mask hiding his true, ruthless nature. And Grandpa George wouldnât be around forever, despite their best efforts to delay the inevitable. Everything Morwenna cared about could eventually crumble to dust. And if that day came, what would become of her? These thoughts sent a shiver of fear through Stuart.
After discussing the matter of Norbert Hetfield, Morwenna prepared to leave the car. Suddenly, Stuart grabbed Morwennaâs wrist, his voice choked with emotion, âMorwenna, if something happens in the future that you canât accept, would you leave me?â
With a chuckle, Morwenna replied, âUncle, whatâs gotten into you? Donât worry, I know you have your secrets and that you can be quite ruthless. I wonât hold that against you.â Ever since she witnessed Stuart dealing with his cousin Reuben Hetfield, Morwenna understood that Stuart was far more cold-hearted than she had imagined.
She was naive, but not foolish. To control a behemoth like the Hetfield Group, one couldnât possibly be a gentle soul through and through. But Morwennaâs view of Stuart was deeply romanticized; she believed he retaliated only when provoked. Whether it was embezzlement or being kidnapped, Stuart always seemed forced into action. She had no intention of probing into Stuartâs secrets, willing to wait until he chose to share them with her.
However, Morwenna and Stuart were on different wavelengths. Unable to directly confront his fears, Stuart tightened his grip on her wrist, âWenna, who is more important to you, me or Grandpa George?â
Morwenna was baffled. It was unlike Stuart to ask such a question. It felt akin to asking, âIf your mom and I were drowning, who would you save?â
Was this a question for someone of Stuartâs stature?
âAll right, Stuart, stop joking. I really need to go now.â Stuart didnât let go, his gaze fixed on her, making Morwenna realize he genuinely sought an answer. Without much thought, her heart chose Grandpa George.
Concerned that her honesty might hurt Stuart, Morwenna hesitated before saying, âStuart, you and Grandpa George are different, incomparable.
Grandpa George is very important to me. My connection to the Hetfield family started because of him.â Though Morwennaâs words were gentle, Stuart understood: Grandpa George mattered more.
Morwenna considered herself a romantic, moved by every act of kindness from Stuart, willing to offer her understanding, enthusiasm, and love. Yet, she couldnât fathom a love that demanded severing ties with family. The idea of abandoning oneâs relatives for a lover was beyond her How the Ice King Became my Doting Billionaire Husband ï¤Chapter 274 My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace ï¤Chapter 492 comprehension.
To Morwenna, Grandpa George was not just family but a beacon of hope. After Melvinâs death, Morwenna had been living in a daze. Fulfilling Melvinâs dreams, she devoted every waking hour to study, sparing only three hours for sleep. She lived numbly, uncaring of her own well-being. Then, she met Grandpa George. Their correspondence brought warmth and support into her life, reviving her spirits.