Chapter 431:The dead child
He paused, then continued, "I know what you're after—reclaiming the Campbell family assets, finding your grandfather, and getting revenge on the Riveras. I can help you with all of it."
"I can provide sufficient funding and connections to help you contact the Campbell family's old loyalists, undermine the Rivera family, and block Miguel's election. With Ace as a competitor to keep Miguel in check, combined with our joint efforts, Miguel won't stand a chance. You'll achieve your goals much faster."
Emily looked up at him, a flicker of scrutiny passing through her eyes.
She frowned slightly, her tone detached. "Mr. Windsor, there's no such thing as a free lunch. What do you want in return for helping me?"
Charles met her gaze, the faintest curve touching his lips. "What I want is simple. Cooperation—working together to keep Miguel and the Rivera family in check, maintaining stability in Seraphim. That benefits the Windsor family's interests here significantly."
He spoke of the Windsor family's interests, but only he knew the truth—everything he did had never been about profit.
With only a year left to live, he didn't dare hope for Emily's forgiveness or dream of reconciliation. He simply wanted to do as much for her as possible during his final days, to help ease her burdens, to ensure she could fulfill her wishes, and to make certain that after he was gone, she could continue living well.
Emily studied him in prolonged silence before finally nodding slightly. "Fine, I agree to work with you. But let me be clear—we're business partners, nothing more. Beyond professional dealings, there's no other relationship between us."
Charles's heart tightened painfully, but he still nodded gently, a trace of contentment flickering in his eyes. "Alright. Business only, nothing else."
Yet Emily found his words hypocritical. A cold mockery flashed through her eyes as she spoke slowly, "Charles, do you really think all that's standing between us is a business partnership and a few apologies?"
Charles asked instinctively, "Emily, what... what do you mean?"
"Three years ago, that car accident—I didn't just suffer severe injuries. I didn't just get pushed away by your own hands." Emily's eyes held no emotion, only a desolate, icy emptiness, as though recounting something completely unrelated to herself. "I also lost our child, Charles. At the time, I was already a month pregnant. I never got the chance to tell you before the crash took everything away."
"What?"
Charles froze instantly. He stared at Emily in disbelief, his lips trembling. "You said... what? Our child?"
He couldn't believe it, couldn't accept this reality.
He'd thought that three years ago, he'd only lost Emily—only that deeply engraved relationship. He never imagined he'd also lost an unborn child, a child that was his and Emily's.
Emily met his devastated, disbelieving gaze. "I'm saying I miscarried. Our child is gone. While you were forcing me to sign divorce papers, treating me with utter coldness, I was lying in a hospital bed enduring both physical and psychological agony. And you? You were busy cutting ties with me."
He staggered back a step, leaning against the car door to barely steady himself. His hands clutched his head as his shoulders shook violently, a strangled, anguished sob escaping his throat.
"No... that can't be... Emily, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I didn't know, I truly didn't know..."
He apologized incoherently, his voice shattered beyond repair. But Emily only watched him coldly. "Apologies are useless, Charles. The child is gone. The pain I endured has already happened. No amount of apologies can undo any of it. So spare me your guilt and regret. Now we're just business partners—nothing more. I don't want any other connection with you, and I will never forgive you."
Her tone was absolute, leaving no room for negotiation, severing the last thread of connection between them.
Charles looked into her indifferent eyes, his heart aching so intensely it nearly stopped beating. He knew Emily was telling the truth. The wrongs he'd committed could never be undone. He would never earn her forgiveness.
Just then, Fiona's footsteps sounded in the distance. Emily immediately suppressed all emotion, returning to her cool, distant demeanor. She said flatly, "You should leave. For the partnership, have Nathan contact me."
Charles stared at her resolute profile. He opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately couldn't form the words. He slowly straightened, wiping the tears from his face, and murmured quietly, "Alright. I'll go. Emily, whether you forgive me or not, I will help you. I'll do everything in my power."
With that, he turned and staggered into the shadows at the alley's entrance.
Charles didn't go far. As soon as he turned into a secluded corner, Nathan hurried over. Seeing Charles's pallid, haggard appearance and tear-streaked face, alarm shot through him. He rushed forward. "Mr. Windsor, what happened? Is something wrong?"
Charles suddenly grabbed Nathan by the collar. "Tell me—three years ago, Emily was pregnant. Did you know?"