Share

35 Too Much Guilt

Author: FancyZ
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-03 15:03:34

When Liam Walton arrived at the Walton family home, it was Evelyn who opened the door for him. The moment their eyes met, an uneasy tension hovered between them, and for a split second, they stood in awkward silence on the threshold. Eventually, Evelyn forced a gentle smile, stepping back to let Liam pass.

“Welcome back,” she said in a quiet, measured voice. It was the same soft warmth she always showed, yet for Liam, it felt strangely different this time.

“Mm, I’m back,” he replied simply.

As soon as he was through the door, Evelyn naturally reached for Liam’s belongings—his coat and briefcase—and took them from his hands, as though they had long ago established this sort of domestic routine. “Grandfather’s waiting for you in the study,” she explained, turning on her heel and heading further into the house.

The way Evelyn moved and spoke, so refined and gracious, made it seem as though nothing had happened—no conflict, no heated misunderstanding back in New York. She was calm, polite
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   36 I Won’t Divorce

    Liam Walton lingered by the coffee table, his gaze fixated on the divorce papers as if they were some inscrutable code he couldn’t decipher. The neatly printed words seemed to carry an unbearable weight, pressing down on him. It wasn’t until a housekeeper came upstairs to announce that dinner was ready that he finally jolted out of his daze.“Sir, dinner is served,” the housekeeper said politely.Liam, still holding the thin stack of pages in his hand, looked up. “All right,” he replied quietly. He slid the papers into a drawer of the coffee table, making sure they were out of sight but not out of mind, and left the room.Descending the wide, elegantly carved staircase, he was struck by an unusual awareness of the home he had taken for granted for so many years. From the polished marble floors to the ornately framed portraits of Walton ancestors on the walls, everything seemed more alive than usual. Ever since he’d married Evelyn, he had spent far too many evenings preoccupied with bu

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   37 Awaiting the Baby

    Adela was three months into her pregnancy, and the symptoms of morning sickness had hit her especially hard. Every night seemed longer than the last, her unsettled stomach often making sleep elusive. Despite her exhaustion, she had to admit that she was eating better than ever—each day, someone hired by Layson Norman delivered carefully prepared meals tailored to meet her nutritional needs. It was evident he wanted her to remain healthy for the sake of the baby.Still, Adela felt strangely detached from the life growing inside her. From a young age, she had believed children should be born into a loving relationship, yet here she was, expecting a child conceived more out of necessity than desire. Instead of excitement, she felt burdened, as if the baby were a reminder of a painful chapter of her life. She made every effort to remain calm, yet the thought of what lay ahead—giving birth, then heading off to a new place—occupied her mind constantly.One bright afternoon, Adela decided to

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   38 A Boy

    When Adela arrived at the hospital, she was immediately ushered into a VIP suite. The faint scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical equipment surrounded her, making her heart pound with apprehension. She underwent a comprehensive series of tests—checking her blood pressure, monitoring the baby’s heartbeat, and ensuring that everything was in order. Once the doctor declared there were no complications, Layson Norman slipped out, leaving Adela alone in the bright, sterile room.Lying on the adjustable bed, Adela tried flipping through a paperback she had brought, but the words blurred in front of her eyes. Although her gaze roamed over the text, her mind remained elsewhere—on the life she would lead once this baby came into the world. The baby she had agreed to have under contract, with no illusions of love or a shared future. She felt an unsettling mix of fear and relief, knowing that soon, her part of the bargain would be complete.Late that morning, her phone buzzed. Seeing H

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   39 Parting Ways

    Two months had slipped by since Adela left the hospital. She was back in her small apartment, methodically packing clothes for Herbie, who was perched on the sofa. The couch was piled high with folded pants, shirts, and socks, all destined for the suitcase that sat open on the floor. Herbie bounced out of the bedroom, clutching a stuffed rabbit in her arms—her face full of excitement and just a hint of uncertainty.“Adela, I want to bring my bunny to Grandma Anderson’s house!” she announced, hugging the plush rabbit close to her chest.Adela, busy sorting out a stack of warm sweaters, looked up. She patted the seat beside her in invitation, and Herbie plopped down, the bunny cradled on her lap. “Of course you can bring it. You can take anything that makes you happy.”When Adela had returned from the hospital, she had focused her energies on making arrangements for Herbie. The plan was both simple and heartbreaking: Herbie would move in temporarily with an older couple, the Lis, while

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   40 Those Who Truly Care

    Adela felt Herbie’s arms clinging to her waist, the small girl’s sobs tearing at her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, tears slipped down Adela’s own cheeks. She had promised herself she would be strong, especially in front of Herbie, but there was no steel in the world strong enough to completely shield her from a moment like this. So she lowered herself to Herbie’s eye level, gathering her little sister into a trembling hug. Everyone around them—Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, and even Layson Norman—remained quiet. It was as if the weight of this farewell hung in the air, giving the scene a solemn hush.“I’ll come back for you,” Adela whispered, gently rubbing Herbie’s back in a soothing circle. She had said this so many times before, but saying it now felt like an act of desperation, as though those words were her last defense against heartbreak. It was all she could offer.Steeling herself, Adela gently pulled Herbie away and nudged her into Mrs. Anderson’s arms. It pained her t

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   41 Letting Go of the Past

    Adela hadn’t gone more than a few steps before she felt someone grab her wrist. Surprised, she turned around to find herself face-to-face with Dexter Norman, whose expression was a mix of desperation and pleading. She had never seen him look so raw and vulnerable—like a man with nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. For a second, her heart clenched. Despite the tension and confusion between them in recent months, there was no denying that a genuine friendship had once bound them together.Dexter’s eyes were dark with an urgency she had never witnessed before. When he spoke, his voice came out a little unsteady, as if he were holding back a surge of emotion he didn’t quite know how to handle. “Don’t go,” he said softly, but with an intensity that made each word land heavily.Standing there by the airport terminal gate, Adela felt the weight of that plea. A part of her wanted to soothe him, to say something that would ease the pain etched onto his face. Yet she also knew she couldn’t waver n

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   42 Everyone Is Running Away

    Liam Walton gently guided his grandfather out of the bustling New York airport, his arm steady around the older man’s shoulders. They moved slowly, partly because of the crowd, partly because his grandfather’s health wasn’t what it used to be. These days, the old man’s legs gave him trouble, making walking any distance a challenge. It was for this reason Liam had initially asked him not to come see Adela off. But the elderly patriarch of the Walton family had been adamant: he wanted, no, needed, to witness Adela’s departure. There was no telling when—if ever—she might return, and he couldn’t bear the thought of never having another chance to confirm that she was safe and well, even if she refused to come home to the Walton family.As they stepped through the sliding glass doors, the hot summer air enveloped them, a startling contrast to the air-conditioned chill of the airport. Liam could sense the mix of regret and sadness radiating from his grandfather, though the old man’s face rem

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03
  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   43 Do You Love Me?

    Liam Walton was the first to recover his composure. For a moment, he had been caught off guard by the sight of Evelyn standing in front of him, wearing nothing but a loose nightgown and looking about as surprised as he felt. But as soon as his mind cleared, he curved his lips into a faint smile, the kind that usually signaled confidence—maybe even a hint of mischievousness.“May I come in?” he asked in an even tone, trying not to stare too blatantly at her disheveled hair or the pajamas that clung to her figure.Evelyn snapped out of her daze upon hearing his voice. Realizing she had been gaping at Liam, she cleared her throat and quickly lowered her gaze, stepping aside to grant him entrance. “Uh… yes, of course,” she said a bit awkwardly, pulling the door open wider.The moment she moved, Evelyn became acutely aware of her own reflection in a nearby mirror: hair messy, face devoid of any makeup, an old nightgown that bore faint creases from where she’d been sleeping. She couldn’t he

    Last Updated : 2025-03-03

Latest chapter

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   100 Ella's Story

    Layson drove steadily through the quiet streets, making sure Adela and Herbie got home safely. After seeing them both settled, he finally left and headed straight to the police station. Meanwhile, Liam Walton was in the interrogation room with the officers, listening to Ella’s statement. Apparently, she had been following Adela for a while, originally just intending to ask her for money. But somehow, her greed had spiraled out of control, and things escalated into the kidnapping of Herbie.“I have nothing more to say. I just wanted to take her with me,” Ella muttered, her head hanging low. The confidence and aggression she had earlier were now gone, replaced by a hollow expression. Sitting in the dimly lit interrogation room, she seemed completely unaware of the weight of her actions.Liam, who had come to check on the situation, frowned at her indifferent attitude. “Do you even realize what you’ve done?”Ella scoffed and lifted her head slightly. “What did I do? Taking my own daughte

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   99 Herbie is Rescued

    Ella watched as Jackson surrendered, surrounded by countless cars. She knew that today was the end of the road for her—there was no escape. Just as she came to this realization, Layson’s car arrived.Adela saw the chaotic scene before them, and a deep sense of unease settled in her chest. The moment the car came to a stop, she hurriedly pushed the door open and ran out. Layson hadn’t even had time to react before she was already on her way. His heart clenched in alarm—police officers had their weapons drawn, and the situation was clearly dangerous."Adela, come back!"Layson quickly opened his door to chase after her. At the same time, Liam’s car pulled up, and he caught sight of Adela rushing toward the scene. His chest tightened with anxiety.Adela ran into the crowd of officers but didn’t see Herbie or Ella. Instead, she only spotted a man she didn’t recognize. Her heart pounded in fear."Where is my sister, Herbie?"She grabbed a nearby officer, desperate for answers. The uncertai

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   98 Unbearable Sin

    As soon as Adela stepped into the dimly lit apartment, the stench hit her like a wave—damp mold mixed with the acrid scent of cigarettes and alcohol. The place reeked of decay, of hopelessness. The police had already arrived, but the room was empty. The only things left behind were a dirty mattress and a chair with loose ropes around it. Clearly, they had missed them."Mr. Norman, by the time we got here, they were already gone," an officer reported.Adela walked further inside, her heart tightening as she imagined Herbie sitting there, tied up, scared, trapped in this suffocating place. Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, and a deep-seated guilt. If only she had been more cautious. If only she had noticed something was off sooner.“We need to find them. Now.” Layson’s voice was calm, but the authority in his tone was undeniable. He was fuming inside, not just at the situation, but at himself for underestimating Ella. He had always seen her as nothing more than a

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   97 A Tense Night

    The dimly lit room reeked of damp mold, mixed with the stifling scent of cigarette smoke, making Herbie feel dizzy. Her hands had been tied up for so long that they had gone numb. Across the room, Ella and Jackson sat on a moldy, yellowed mattress, both frowning deeply."So, you're saying we should use this kid to get money from her sister?" Jackson took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling through the damp air, barely dispersing before it clung to the surroundings like an invisible fog. Ella cast a glance at Herbie, who was bound tightly, her eyes darkening with ruthless intent. A chill ran down Herbie’s spine as her sense of unease grew stronger."Yes, her sister has money now. Once we get our hands on a decent amount, we can get out of here and start over somewhere better." Ella’s eyes glimmered with greed, her mind already envisioning a brighter future, oblivious to how terrifying her expression had become. Jackson observed her face and felt a flicker of hesitation. H

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   96 Finding Ella

    Layson saw the redness in Adela's eyes, and it felt like someone had squeezed his heart. A wave of pain surged through him. Without thinking, he gently patted her arms, trying to comfort her."Don't worry, I'm here."His words were like an anchor, grounding her amidst the chaos. Somehow, just knowing he was there made everything feel a little less terrifying, as if things would turn out okay."It’s alright. Get in the car first."Layson held her close and guided her into the car, but he stayed outside, making a call. Adela watched him through the window, noticing the way his brows furrowed as he spoke. She couldn't hear everything clearly, but she caught bits and pieces. His eyes flickered toward her every so often, checking on her. The subtle gestures, the quiet attention—it warmed her heart in a way she hadn’t expected.When he finally finished the call, he circled the car and slid into the driver’s seat.He had been in the middle of a crucial meeting when Mrs. Anderson’s call came

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   95 Herbie Goes Missing

    Herbie was heading home as usual that day, completely unaware that she would run into someone from her past—someone she hadn’t seen in years. When she first saw Ella standing there on the street, it took her a moment to even recognize her. The woman looked older, much thinner, and had a weary, almost defeated air about her. Life had clearly not been kind to her."Herbie!"Ella had been waiting along Herbie’s usual route home, and her sudden appearance startled the girl so much that she instinctively took several steps back. Her only memory of this woman was from when she was five years old—the same woman who had abandoned her, leaving her alone in the same house where her father had died."Herbie, it's me, your mother."Ella's face was filled with an exaggerated sadness, as if genuinely hurt by Herbie’s reaction. But her presence here wasn’t some spontaneous decision—she had been planning this moment for a long time. She had been watching, observing from a distance, learning about Her

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   94 The Mind is a Mess

    Liam Walton watched as the old man slowly made his way up the stairs, his back slightly hunched with age. He could tell that his grandfather was feeling down. The man who had once commanded power and influence in the business world was now worn out, troubled by family matters that refused to resolve themselves.Turning back to Evelyn, Liam gently stroked her hand, offering silent comfort."By the way, Liam, when is your father coming back?" the old man suddenly asked, pausing at the staircase. He had almost forgotten that Spencer had called, saying he was returning soon. The thought only struck him now."His flight is the day after tomorrow," Liam replied, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and tension. He hadn’t yet told his father that they had found Adela.Spencer Walton had left for overseas after his wife passed away. He had been devastated by her death, completely unable to recover from the grief. The knowledge that he had a daughter who had been abandoned only added to hi

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   93 The Story of the Walton Family

    The room was filled with the gentle trickle of a small indoor fountain, the sound making the silence between them even more pronounced. Adela sat with her head slightly lowered, absentmindedly toying with her fingers as she processed everything Liam had just told her. She could understand now why she had been abandoned—it was a desperate move, a last resort by a mother trying to protect both her children. But understanding didn't make it any easier to accept.“Adela, I know this isn’t something you can just accept overnight,” Liam said, his voice carrying a mix of patience and pleading. “But Grandpa’s getting older. He’s been hoping for years that you’d come back.”Adela’s lips pressed together into a tight line. She barely remembered her grandfather, and whatever connection they might have had was severed long ago. As far as she was concerned, she had spent her entire life as an outsider to the Walton family, and she wasn’t sure she wanted that to change now.Liam exhaled, sensing he

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   92 The Abandoned Night

    It was a cold night, one without rain but with a biting wind that swept through the dark streets of New York. Under the dim glow of streetlights, a woman walked slowly, cradling a baby in her arms. She was well-dressed, her makeup still flawless despite the lateness of the hour. Even in the shadows, one could tell she was a strikingly beautiful woman.The child in her arms was unusually quiet, not frightened by the howling wind, as if sensing the inevitable abandonment looming ahead. Perhaps, in its innocent way, the baby was trying to be good, trying not to upset the mother who was about to leave it behind. Wide, curious eyes gazed up at the world, unaffected by the chill in the air.At this hour, New York’s streets were nearly deserted, especially on such a cold night. Most houses had their doors tightly shut, leaving only the occasional glow of lights spilling out onto the pavement. The woman walked aimlessly, as though searching for something—or perhaps stalling for time.At the e

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status