The Billionaire's Regret: His Secret Wife Turned Medical Genius novel Chapter 113

They sat in silence until the light in Edward's eyes faded. He seemed to age right there in front of Emily.

"I understand," he said at last. "Even if you and Gabriel divorce, you'll still be like a granddaughter to me. Come visit me when you have time."

Emily looked up. At that moment, Edward wasn't the patriarch of the Holton family. He was simply a grandfather worried about his granddaughter.

Her resolve softened, and she nodded before saying, "Okay."

After that, dinner went on without much talk. However, the silence wasn't the heavy kind.

When Emily finished eating, she stood up and said, "Mr. Holton Senior, it's getting late. I should go." She dipped her head in a small bow, ready to leave.

"Wait," Edward said, stopping her. His gaze held a plea he rarely let anyone see. "Holton Corp's centennial celebration is coming up. I hope you'll come."

Emily was about to refuse, but Edward added, "Just this once... Come with me as my granddaughter."

Those last words were spoken slowly, yet they carried weight.

Something inside Emily softened almost against her will. She saw the hope in Edward's eyes, and the refusal got caught in her throat.

"Alright," she finally said.

…

As Emily left, Edward watched her cross the courtyard and disappear at the gate. Then, he sagged back into the couch.

In the end, he hadn't been able to help himself. He had carved out one last chance for Gabriel. Now, whether or not he could win Emily back would be dependent on him.

Edward closed his eyes, rubbed his brow, and spoke with a tired edge, "Colin."

The butler, Colin Clarke, stepped forward at once. "Yes, Mr. Holton Senior."

"Go to Gabriel. Tell him Emily came by tonight," Edward said.

With that, he turned and went upstairs to the study.

Assuming he was going to dive into work, Roman and Colin didn't follow him in.

However, once Gabriel was in the study, he didn't go near the desk. Instead, he walked to a wall of shelves, reached into an unobtrusive corner, and pulled out a book that didn't match the room's austere taste at all.

The cover was bright and gaudy, and the title read, "Thirty-six Ways to Win Your Wife Back."

His fingers brushed the cover, and a shadow of an emotion stirred in his gaze.

Even then, he was thinking of Emily. He simply would not let her go.

Meanwhile outside the door, Roman stared at Gabriel's back as a heavy feeling settled in his chest.

He had the urge to walk in and say it straight, "You still don't know, do you? Emily called this morning about the divorce papers you've been putting off for six months. From the way you're acting now, you don't stand a chance of winning her back!"