Chapter 317 Did You Hear It?
William continued, "If regret could solve problems, this world wouldn't have so many misfortunes."
"Instead of regretting past mistakes, it's better to think about how to make things right."
Benjamin listened to William's words and fell silent for a long time.
William stood by the window, sunlight streaming over him through the gaps.
Benjamin looked at the photo album in his hands, his fingers resting on the last page.
It was Isabella all grown up, and also Isabella's last photo.
William's words kept echoing in his head.
Once, twice, three times, and they still wouldn't go away.
He suddenly wondered what he could do now to make up for his mistakes.
When he lifted his head, there was a different light in his eyes.
He had made up his mind - he would find Isla and bring her back.
Then he would tell her: Isabella is our pride, our most beloved daughter.
Benjamin looked at William, his voice growing loud and firm.
"You're right. Instead of regretting, I should try to make things right."
"I will definitely find Isabella's mother and bring her back."
"I want to tell her myself that she was wrong, that Isabella is the best daughter in the world."
Standing by the window, William's heart suddenly clenched.
He turned his head slightly, looking at the determination in Benjamin's eyes.
Then he quickly looked away.
He never would have expected Benjamin to say something like this.
He had already been planning to push Benjamin into a terrible swamp.
And trapped in that swamp wouldn't just be Benjamin, but also Isla, and him, William, too.
The three of them, body and soul, with no hope of salvation.
But when he heard Benjamin say these words, his heart filled with an indescribable confusion.
He didn't know if it was guilt, shame, or something else.
He turned his gaze away, only telling himself: Don't blame me, blame your wife - she's the one who dragged you into this.
William clenched his fists tightly, every vein on his face standing out.
He looked at the sunlight outside and deliberately stepped aside.
The sunlight outside was dazzling, bright, and scorching.
Such beautiful sunlight was wasted on him and would only magnify the darkness in his heart.
William thought for a moment, then hid in the shadows.
Looking at Benjamin, he asked, "Do you really think doing this can make it up to Isabella?"
Benjamin nodded firmly, his eyes becoming very clear.
As if all the fog that had been weighing on his heart had completely cleared away.
"Definitely."
"Isabella is my daughter; I know best what's in her heart."
"I know, I know she always wanted to reconcile with Isla."
"After all, she's just a child, too. She would want her mother's embrace and understanding."
William's heart was trembling. He closed his eyes and couldn't speak.
The more he faced Benjamin, the more guilt he felt inside.
Even though in his heart, he believed Benjamin was also a sinner.
But he still didn't understand, couldn't figure it out, couldn't guess.
Why did he feel the same familiar feeling from Benjamin as he did from Donny?
Could it be, could it be that he was really wrong?
No, William couldn't be wrong.
When William lifted his head, he just calmly said goodbye and left the hospital room.
He walked alone down the long corridor that seemed to have no end.
Like a puppet that had lost its soul, he stumbled along, bumping into people again and again.
But he never stopped, never apologized, never explained.
Then he came to the rooftop, the place where Isabella had jumped.
Four months. After four months, William finally had the courage to set foot in this place again.
The rooftop had been fitted with railings; perhaps the last incident had made the hospital take it seriously.
But William knew these railings couldn't stop people who truly wanted to end their lives.
The clouds in the sky were still so white, the sunlight still so hot, the wind still so strong.
William stood at the rooftop entrance, looking at the spot where Isabella had jumped. In his mind appeared the last second of Isabella's life, the wind blowing through her long hair.
Isabella's face and eyes were buried beneath her flying hair.
In those eyes was relief.
She had wanted to do this for a long time, William thought.
She should have done this long ago, William thought again.
Then he walked to the edge of the rooftop, standing beside the railings.
Dylan and the bodyguards rushed out quickly, chasing all the way to the rooftop.
Dylan watched William standing by the railing, his heart pounding faster and faster.
He opened his mouth, raised his hand, was about to say something, but finally put his hand down.
He looked at William's back and slowly lowered his head.
His worry was completely meaningless.
Because William wouldn't take his own life.
But he still didn't leave. He was just afraid William might do something unexpected.
So he could only wait with his people, waiting for William's emotions to stabilize and recover.
The wind blew through William's hair and clothes, and when it hit his face, William closed his eyes.
He opened his arms, embracing the empty air.
Where he stood now was the same spot Isabella had stood before jumping.
But the wind no longer carried Isabella's scent, and his arms could never again hold her warmth.
A teardrop fell from William's eye, sliding down his cheek, then falling straight down from the rooftop.
Below, a crowd of onlookers had gathered again.
They all craned their necks to look up.
Even the hospital director and security guards.
These people had all been alarmed too, rushing quickly toward the rooftop.
William didn't care what those people thought of him.
He just stood there with his eyes closed.
He enjoyed the feeling of the wind brushing over his chest, imagining Isabella leaning in his arms.
He imagined holding Isabella, stroking her head, gently comforting her.
"Isabella, don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Isabella, don't cry, I've always been here."
"Isabella, I've always been here."
"Isabella, I regret it! William regrets it! Can you hear me?"
The director led a group of people rushing onto the rooftop, but they were blocked outside by Dylan and the bodyguards.
When he saw Dylan, the director gasped for breath as he patted his chest, his anxious heart finally settling down.
He had thought someone else was desperate enough to jump from their rooftop again.
This hospital had already had two people jump, one was a doctor, the other a patient.
The director didn't dare imagine what kind of scandal the hospital would face if a third person jumped.
Fortunately, there wouldn't be a third person jumping, but he still didn't dare leave. He stood at the entrance and waited.
Dozens of people all held their breath, tense, no one daring to speak loudly.
They all stayed with William, waiting for him to open his eyes.