Chapter 48
William's eyes flickered, and the hesitation in his heart gradually faded away.
He couldn't just think about himself and ignore the people in the organization.
That day, to save Emily, he had already made a trip to the police station. He feared that those keeping tabs on him had already learned he was alive.
If he continued to stay, it would very likely bring irreversible harm to Emily and the two children.
Since he had decided to leave, William didn't plan to hide it from Emily.
In the yard, Emily watched Nina and Aiden playing around, a gentle smile spreading across her lips.
She checked the time, said something to the two children, then hurried to change clothes and headed out.
In the funeral home's women's changing room, Lily saw Emily and chatted with her about everyday things, then they each went to work.
Emily's work was the same as always. After a busy day, she finally made it to quitting time.
She changed clothes and called William.
"Do you have time today? I'd like to treat you and the two kids to dinner." Once the call connected, Emily got straight to the point.
Last night, William had treated her to dinner, plus he'd been taking good care of the two children lately. Besides, she'd just gotten paid today, so Emily thought of treating him to a meal.
William thought for a moment and nodded, "Sure."
"Then let's meet at Orchid Pavilion," Emily said, booking a table online.
"Okay."
William kept it brief. Emily, worried the two kids might catch a cold, added another reminder before hanging up.
The four of them ended up meeting at Orchid Pavilion.
When William arrived with the two children, Emily was already waiting in the private room.
"Mommy!"
Seeing her, Nina and Aiden rushed over and hugged her legs, their soft, sweet voices making Emily's heart melt.
"Were you two well-behaved on the way?" Emily crouched down, looking at them with a smile.
Nina and Aiden nodded together, "We were very good."
Emily's face lit up with a smile as she turned to William to confirm. "They didn't give you any trouble, did they?"
William shook his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "They were very well-behaved outside."
Although Emily knew Aiden and Nina weren't troublemakers, she still needed to ask politely.
"That's good then."
She sat down with Aiden and Nina in her arms, while William sat down across from her.
"Thank you for that matter."
At the dinner table, Emily raised her glass to thank William, her expression sincere.
"It's nothing." William raised his glass and clinked it with hers, though his glass contained water.
After just that brief exchange, the atmosphere at the table grew quiet.
The four ate their meals, with barely any sound at the table.
It wasn't until Nina burped that Emily rubbed her little belly.
"Mommy, can I take Nina to play for a bit?" Aiden also put down his fork, his eyes hopeful.
Emily had noticed some children's toys at the entrance when she arrived. These must be what attracted Aiden.
"Of course you can, just don't go far." Emily readily agreed, watching as Aiden took Nina's hand and left the room.
For safety reasons, she didn't close the private room door. From their angle, they could see the children's play area at the entrance.
Emily watched Aiden holding Nina's little hand, taking her to play on the slide, and couldn't help but smile gently, her eyes soft.
William watched her from across the table, a hint of tenderness appearing in his expression.
He cleared his throat lightly, drawing Emily's attention to him.
"Is your throat bothering you?" Emily turned her head as he wished, but her question left William at a loss for words.
"No."
He shook his head, then lowered his voice, "I really appreciate you taking care of me during this time, but now my memory has mostly recovered, and my injuries have healed a lot. I have to go."
William's tone was calm, but his words made Emily's heart skip a beat.
"But your injuries haven't completely healed yet." She said instinctively, worry in her voice.
William nodded, "I'll pay attention to my wounds, but I have to leave."
His voice remained flat, but the determination in his tone couldn't be ignored.
Emily fell silent, lowering her eyes slightly.
From the day she saved William, she knew there would eventually come a day when they'd part ways.
Whether from William's clothes and accessories at that time, or from his injuries, everything suggested his identity wasn't simple.
Someone like him couldn't stay in her small courtyard forever.
But after spending this time together, she had gradually gotten used to having William around. Now that he suddenly said he was leaving, Emily inevitably felt a sense of loss.
Emily knew he would definitely leave, so she didn't say anything sentimental about asking him to stay.
She looked up into William's deep eyes, her voice soft.
"Where are you going?"
Faced with her question, William didn't answer.
"When there's a chance in the future, I'll tell you."
Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Emily didn't press further.
She took a deep breath. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning."
This was the time William had already decided on. It wouldn't change.
Emily asked, so he told her.
"So soon..." Emily murmured, her voice barely audible.
William didn't hear clearly, but he didn't ask either.
Looking at William, Emily felt a strange sense of loss rising in her heart.
They were never from the same world. William appeared mysteriously, and now he was leaving without saying where he was going.
She didn't even know his real identity.
They had crossed paths before because she had saved William's life. In the future, perhaps they would never meet again.
Thinking about this, Emily forced herself to perk up. "What a coincidence. If you'd left a bit earlier, you might have missed this meal. Now it's perfect—this meal can be your farewell dinner."
William looked at her, complex emotions flashing in his eyes, but in the end, he just responded softly.
"Then I wish you a safe journey and good health." Emily raised her glass again, a smile on her lips.
William also raised his glass, and the two glasses clinked with a crisp sound.
Night fell. Emily held Nina's hand, William held Aiden's, and the four of them returned home under the stars and moon.
As soon as they got home, the two children stuck to the bed and wouldn't get up.
Emily looked at their sleeping faces and smiled helplessly.
She was about to return to her room when William called out to her.
His tall figure loomed over Emily.
Before Emily could say anything, he forcefully pressed a card into Emily's hand.