Winning Her Heart back (Emelie and William)

Chapter 928 Charles & Emmie's Side Story

Charles was sentenced to ten years in prison. Thanks to his good behavior, his sentence was reduced, and he ended up having to only serve seven years and ten months.

No one came to pick him up on the day of his release. As he stood outside the prison, he realized how much the world had changed. He, too, was no longer the carefree and bold man he once was.

He stood at the gate for a long time, unsure of where to go.

He had spent the last six months of his sentence thinking about what he'd do and where he'd go when he got out. However, when the moment arrived, all those plans flew out the window.

The Davis family had fallen. His father had passed away in prison the year before, and the wardens had been kind enough to let Charles attend the funeral.

He'd seen how destitute his relatives had become, struggling without the protection of the Davis family's name. Even though Elena had told him to find her once he was out, he didn't want to burden her. Their bond as cousins was real.

The person Charles wanted to see most was Emmie. He wanted to see her and their daughter, Mia. However, he was scared. He was afraid that his sudden appearance would only cause trouble for Emmie. She might not even want to see him.

After all, she hadn't even attended his trial the day he was sentenced.

Seven years had passed. Surely, she had moved on and built a new life. Maybe she even had a man who loved her. Even if she didn't, she and their daughter had to be living a stable, comfortable life. He'd left her with plenty of money, and Emelie wouldn't mistreat someone who had helped her.

Emmie had to be doing fine without him. Hence, his reappearance would be out of place no matter what the situation was.

Charles knew all that, but what could he do? Seven years in prison hadn't changed the fact that he still wanted to see her, even if it was just from a distance. A glimpse would be enough to satisfy him.

Hence, Charles used the money that he'd earned doing prison labor to buy a plane ticket to Emmie's hometown. It was a small county with mountains and rivers. From the airport, he had to take a two-hour bus ride to reach her house.

As the bus rattled down the road, Charles' heart shook just as much, rising and falling with every bump.

He wasn't even sure if he'd be able to find Emmie. There was a good chance that she'd moved, but he had to try his luck.

He knew where her old house was and decided to start there. When he arrived, he saw that the front yard was full of fruits and vegetables. There were grains laid out to dry, which was a sign that someone still lived there.

At first, Charles was happy. However, a man in his late 30s stepped out of the house, and his heart sank. So, Emmie had moved away.

Before he could fully process another thought hit him even harder. She hadn't moved. The man was probably her husband.

Sure enough, Emmie followed the man out of the house.

Since she was still living there, the man had to be her husband.

Charles' heart felt like it was being torn apart. His chest tightened, and he found it hard to breathe. For a split second, he wished that he had died in prison, rather than face this.

He stared at Emmie. Seven years hadn't left much of a mark on her. If anything, she'd become more mature and more composed. She looked healthy. It seemed like life had treated her well.

had clearly

a strange mix of relief and pain. He was glad that she was happy. However, her happiness had no place for him anymore. How was he supposed to live

you'd better go. It looks like it's about to rain. Tell Uncle Joshua and Aunt Ruth that

The man wasn't her husband

been on the verge breaking, suddenly revived.

her cousin left, Charles ducked behind a pumpkin patch, still unsure if her cousin's presence meant that she wasn't married yet. However, this small twist was enough

froze.

by Emmie. He didn't want to disrupt her

what I said? It's going to rain soon. Help me gather the grains

Charles stood still, shocked.

Her tone was

it was as if he hadn't been in prison for seven years. It was as if he had just stepped out for a few hours and came

Charles turned around, dazed.

neutral, with no surprise or joy in her eyes. "Rake it all into a pile. I'll go

stunned, Charles followed

prison, so gathering the grains wasn't hard.

said, "I'm a food blogger now. I've got millions of

gathering the grains, pick up Mia from Doverbury

know where Doverbury Elementary School is? It's fine if you

still

frowned. "Did you hear

heard you," he

put the bags of grains inside, she pointed to a bicycle in the

"Ride the bike there."

blur, Charles hopped onto the bike and followed the GPS to Doverbury Elementary

other parents picking up their kids, he felt both out of place and

was three years old and was

if he walked right past her? Mia was only ten. Could she find her way home alone? What if something happened to her

buzzed with worry. However, he soon realized

with pigtails and a pink backpack skipping her way out of the school gates. The moment their eyes met, they instantly recognized

up with a bright

was stunned, his head spinning as the word "Dad" hit him like a sledgehammer. He rushed forward and scooped

"Mia!"

difference between two-year-old Mia and ten-year-old Mia, but something about their

grinned. "Mom said you'd come to pick me up today, and

up? How did you recognize me?" Charles was overwhelmed with surprise

raised her little hand and tapped his forehead, acting much older than her age. "Of course I recognized you. Mom shows me your pictures all the time. I must say, though... You're not as

that, I will definitely make