Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Don't regret too much, just do what you can to ease that feeling of regret. Do it every time you feel regret is enveloping you."

....

Even though he managed to warm up the heart of Stephen he couldn't bring himself to call him Dad. Maybe it was the deep fear rooted in his brain of their first encounter or maybe he was just scared of Stephen's reaction over his addressing terms. Whatever it was he didn't contemplate on it too much.

His eyes took in Stephen's face and he noticed how Time had left the scars of age on his face.

He looked Stuart up and down a faint smile hung on his lips. While a little moisture was seeping from the corner of his black eyes. Never in a million years, Stuart would have imagined he will see the man in tears because of him. It might be because he never actually saw him cry. So, It brought a sudden warmth inside his chest.

Stuart's eyes filled with affection action as he stared at Stephen's form. His shiny-black straight hair that he used to love in childhood now had turned greyish while his once white spotless skin had started having wrinkles. Despite that, he managed to look handsome.

There was no word exchange, Stephen stepped near him drawing him into a hug. But then as if he sensed his emotional behavior was slowly encapsulating him he removed his arms around Stuart and gave him a small smile.

Stephen might hate Stuart in the beginning but as time progressed he was the only man Stephen had decided would be a good husband for his only daughter. Ironical, when he was the one who stopped them marrying at the altar where he and Milly were supposed to get married. But then again they were just kids back then.

Yet he would have been happy to see them together.

After a minute, Stuart noticed him swarming in the memories, he finally took the lead to invite him in.

"Come inside uncle."

Not speaking anything Stephen nodded at him and walked inside patting on his back just like old times. Because he knew if he did, his voice will quiver, and he didn't want to make a show of it.

He was welcomed by a heated temperature and the aroma of coffee he so badly wanted to have. Yet one glance of Milly was enough to keep his mouth shut.

Doctor Mark has specifically advised him to stay away from coffee as much as he could! since his blood pressure was getting too high to control and Milly being Milly had stopped his intake of coffee altogether. Not just in their home but also his office. His PA was specifically ordered to keep an eye on him and his caffeine intake.

'This cruel woman.' His eyes turned a little puppyish as he gazed at her silently asking for permission which she chose to ignore. Looking at them Riley could guess something was going on between them. Noticing how his lips pouted looking at coffee and then Milly she understood what was going on and giggled. Her father instantly stiffened and then looked down at Riley, giving her a nervous smile he sat down with a scowl on his face.

Stuart returned from the kitchen and handed him some green tea that made his face grimace as he glared at Milly again who chose to glare back at him. Seeing their cute interaction He was tempted to laugh but controlled himself, yet the tips of his lips stretched in a smile, while simultaneously helping Stephen by placing a few cushions behind his back. The floor was covered in fur white carpet that his shoes' dirt shined on it. Soiling it.

That night after they heard his part of the story. Their conversations shifted from him to their memories. Stephen started from the memory of his wedding to Milly. When they had said all vows and exchanged paper rings. They were a breath away from kissing each other when Stephen had interrupted them. The memory brought a sudden belonging Ness to Stuart. The whole situation was bizarre. So bizarre that even when he told Ron the same story, he had scoffed at Stuart. Telling him he was lying. But then again They were kids back then and it was a serious affair between men and women. So serious that Stephen had wasted his one hour time scolding them instead of reciting his vows in front of all audience. But then again, who could accept her princess marrying before she even turned ten.

His gaze locked on hers and he catches her looking at him with a smile as if reminiscing every small part of it. The white and pink moonlight shining on her form making him breathe inwardly. Life was sure cruel with him.

Stephen's words brought his attention to him again and he found himself unable to say anything.

"I thought you will be her husband in the future Stuart. But who knew, destiny will play you like its puppets." His eyes held disappointment, defeat but he still managed to smile.

The moment his words had ended, Stuart found himself unable to control his emotions. For once, he wanted to go back in time and get married to her, perhaps she would have been his if he didn't have behaved like a shy boy and wouldn't have taken ten minutes to kiss her at the altar that day. Perhaps they would have been together if he would have focussed on telling her his real feelings as a teenager. Perhaps she would have been his if he wouldn't have made her mad on that day. Perhaps, he could only regret he was wrong. Yet the woman who seemed embarrassed about the fact what her father said is still nestled deep into his heart. As deep as a heartbeat.

'He was wrong. But she was too.'

For him, she was his river of Joy. He could remember their bicycle rides when they were young, chubby with grotty hands. Always trying to spend time together. Laughing and Happy.

Milly nudges Stephen in the stomach and he winces. Realizing his abrupt words, he tries to lessen the awkward atmosphere around them as he says.

"I. I was just remembering the past. It doesn't mean, I don't like how you are today. I do, who knows Probably it's for the best for all of us."

A nervous smile hangs on his lips and Milly clears her throat. Nobody spoke. As if mourning for his wrong decision.

Stuart sighs, and stood up heading towards the kitchen.

"Where are you going, Stuty Pooh? You know Dad didn't mean it in the wrong way." This time Riley speaks, Her voice seems a little raspy maybe because she was silently sitting most of the time.

Stuart turns around and acknowledges her answer warmly.

"I know, Ril-boo. I was going to fetch some snacks for us."

"Oh. Okay. Do you need some help?"

"No. I will manage."

It was a lie, he left them to clear his head, he might have told her his feelings in desperation. But it would do him no good.

He exhales. Remembering the memories.

As time passed, she became his summer vacation joy. They turned older and their time got limited, but she always managed to stay with him in his darkest moments of life. Not only her but her family too. They had been through with him through thick and thin. He could remember she was confused about her feelings for him and tried dating Which of course he didn't let happen. They shared a few kisses here and there. But it was limited to the forehead and cheeks. He didn't want to scare her, either lose her.

They moved to a small house when her mother's divorce finalized, it wasn't cozy but cramped. But Riley Brown managed to make the sweetest memories together.

Together they added lively colors to their house which was otherwise washed in pristine white. His room was an amalgam of one of his favorite plus her favorite colors as if they were painting their wedding home. They shared a quite shy romance slipping in between them.

She made cookies for him as he complained about her father in that shabby kitchen. Of course, the cookies were too burnt to even eat, but he had eaten them anyway. She read books for him when he was unable to sleep yet somehow slept before him, never completely telling the story while he would admire her face the whole night. She tried learning knitting from his mother to knit a sweater for him for his birthday. But failed to make a nice one.

The fibers of the sea-green sweater were coming out, it looked like a poor person's sweater. But he still wore it on his birthday. A party his rich father had thrown for him, and he was later lashed by belt because of it. But it was worth it, he loved it As much as he loved her.

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