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“Wilson told me how much you loved the garden,” Eveline admitted as they both sat on the plush chaise in the pavilion.

“Indeed, I do,” William confirmed, smiling as he remembered running around in the garden at a very early age.

Wilson would half-heartedly tell him off, but he would insist on assisting the gardener, even though the ‘assistance’ often only involved smearing himself with soil.

“William,” Eveline began in a tone that told him what she was about to say was important. “Can you tell me about your childhood?”

William felt a wave of panic.

He knew the day would come when he would finally have no choice but to be honest with his wife. However, that did not make it feel any less terrifying.

“I know it is probably difficult for you to say, but I want nothing more than to get to know you better,” Eveline added, her eyes heavy with concern. “I know you are still holding back some part of yourself from me.”

William knew she was not exactly lying.

“While I do not know the reason, and I do not know how to assure you that you can speak freely to me, I can assure you of this. If you unburden yourself to me, you will most definitely feel better.”

She took one of his hands in her palms. They were soft and warm to the touch.

“You have carried this heavy burden alone for far too long. It is time to find some relief.”

Her words, like a balm, soothed him, and her touch reassured him. And at that moment, he was truly certain that for the first time in his thirty-plus years, he had found a woman worthy enough to be vulnerable with.

“However,” she continued, “if you are indeed not ready, then you do not have to say a word. I shall be here every step of the way until you are fully ready.”

William pondered on her words. He knew what his decision was. His whole life was leading up to this one moment.

“I am ready,” he announced.

CHAPTER 19

Eveline could not quite believe he was truly ready. She knew, of course, that they had had a vulnerable moment together in the carriage. However, when the carriage had come to a stop in front of the castle, she had thought the moment lost forever.

And yet, now, he had expressed his willingness to tell her everything.

Eveline glanced at her husband, but the pain in his eyes made her heart ache. She wanted so badly to take it all away.

However, she knew the only way to take it all away was if he talked about it.

“I never knew my mother,” he started.

Eveline glanced at him again, but he was staring off into the distance.

“She had died while bringing me to life,” he continued.

Even though Eveline had heard this before, hearing him saying it filled her with such sadness.

“Is it not ironic?” William chuckled. “My mother gave her life for me to live. I practically took her life.”

Eveline gently placed her hand on his lap for reassurance.

“No, you did not take your mother’s life,” she retorted immediately.

Her husband turned to look at her, his face unreadable. “But I did. If it were not for me, she would still be alive,” he argued.

Eveline gave him a comforting squeeze. “You did not take her life,” she insisted, shaking her head. “What happened was truly sad, but do not blame yourself for this. Do not ever blame yourself.”

William sighed. “It does not matter.”