Chapter 374: I Feel You Pain And Loneliness

"You’re at the Bolton Chateau," Wilson replied.

"Were you looking for me?" Edie asked with a tone of curiosity in her voice.

He nodded his head. "Yes, there’s something I need to discuss with you," Wilson said, lowering his voice to almost a whisper.

Edie had a puzzled expression on her face and asked, "Please tell me."

Wilson sighed heavily and asked, "Are you aware of what’s been going on between Stuart and Childe?"

"Yes, I am," Edie replied.

Wilson looked anxiously over his shoulder as he spoke, "I know Childe brought you here against your will."He continued, his voice heavy with sadness. "It’s all his mother’s doing. Since a young age, all he’s known is neglect and abuse. Every day it was the same thing over and over again. She hated Stuart and wanted Childe to destroy him...." he paused. " I can’t stand seeing him do this to himself. It needs to stop."

Edie looked troubled. "I know, but I have no idea how to convince him." She nodded her head slightly.

"I know it’s a lot to ask, but do you think you could talk to Stuart..." Wilson stopped mid-sentence, a wave of concern clouding over his face, and then he continued, "on Childes’ behalf? He’s sick, and I’m not sure if Stuart is completely aware of Childes’ situation."

The sadness in his voice was almost more than Edie could stand. "I’ll talk to him. Maybe Stuart will understand," she said, trying to reassure him.

"Childes’ never known love. He’s never known a caress that didn’t involve some sort of payment, or a kind word that he didn’t suspect didn’t come with strings. I’ve watched you, and I know you care about him. I know you can convince him," Wilson added, the sound of hope lifting his voice.

"You have such faith in me. Do you really think I’ll be able to convince him?" she said with uncertainty.

Wilson looked at her with such a surprised look on his face. "Yes, I have faith in you. I know how much Stuart loves you...." he hesitates. "He was willing to give up everything for you!"

Edie looked at him in astonishment. "After all these years of them feuding, Marina died because of it. Childe refuses to let go of the past, and I feel no one can stop him, not even me."

A complicated look came into his eyes. Edie saw a fleeting expression of disappointment on his face. He sighed deeply, and then he looked up at her. "If you don’t help me, I don’t know who else I can turn to. Stuart will only listen to you. Please, help me?" Wilson pleaded.

"There’s nothing I can do." Edie’s voice was almost inaudible. "Childe is now the CEO of the L. N. Group, and Stuart has nothing. The damage has already been done," she said helplessly.

Wilson stared at her in utter confusion. "You don’t know?" he asked.

"Know what?" Edie had no idea what he was talking about.

Wilson shook his head. "No, Childe isn’t the CEO. There was a board meeting, but Childe voted against it. The board members were so angry, and they sent Stuart and Childe to the family cell as a punishment. That’s why Childe came back in the condition he was in," he explained.

Edie’s eyes were wide as she stared into Wilson’s face. "Why would they be so cruel and punish them?" Her heart clenched, and her eyes stung. "What about Stuart? Is he okay?" she asked.

Wilson smiles sadly, hiding his feelings. "Stuart’s going to be okay. It’s Childe who I’m worried about," he said with a worried expression on his face. "I’m worried about his safety. For years, I’ve tried to help him, but he’s always pushed me away." There was a rising of despair in his voice. "Inside, he’s empty. Inside he’s a burnt shell of a person. The frame is still intact, he can still speak, he can still move, but it’s a front. He keeps himself isolated from everyone." He took in a deep breath and let out a large sigh.

"He doesn’t confide in anyone?" Edie’s heart clenched within her, taking her breath away and her ability to talk. She took several deep breaths before she tried to speak again. "I feel your pain and loneliness." She looked down at the floor. "And I would like to help you, but...." she just didn’t know how to finish the sentence because she didn’t know-how.

Wilson shook his head. "His mother only showed interest in the business. She told him that everyone was either a waste of his time or an enemy. He loved Marina, or at least I think he did! But I never knew if it was because of Stuart or if he actually had feelings for her?" he said under his breath, sounding uncertain about the whole matter.

Edie could barely speak. "Did you say Childe had feelings for Marina? Did Stuart know?" she asked. "Did he actually love her? If he did, why would he do such horrible things to her?" She shook her head in confusion. "No, you must be mistaken!"

"Stuart doted on Marina, and she adored him, but no one was even aware of Childes’ feelings. Except me! I could see it in the way he looked at her." Wilson’s eyes were shining, and a broad smile creased his face as he thought about the one time he’d seen Childe happy.

Edie raised her voice and said, "Then why would Childe kill Marina because he wanted to hurt Stuart? It’s.....it’s unforgivable." She begins to tremble uncontrollably, the tears streaming down her face.

Wilson ran his fingers along his brow line, smoothing the hairs into place. "I can’t believe it." He lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Then he raised an eyebrow and asked, "You think Childe killed Marina?"

Edie asked, somewhat hesitantly, "Didn’t he?"

"Childe has never told anyone the truth, only me. He blames himself, but he didn’t kill her. Someone else did!" Wilson explained.

"How is that possible?" Edie asked, her head spinning as she looked at Wilson, feeling a sense of alarm. "He sent me a video of Marina’s death, and he even admitted it. Why would he do that if it wasn’t him?"