Chapter 34 As You Wish
William stepped through the grand doors of the Mitchell Mansion, his eyes immediately landing on the cozy scene in the living room.
Sylvia sat comfortably on the couch, chatting animatedly with Esme, while Eric lounged beside them, occasionally looking up from his newspaper to throw in a comment or a
chuckle.
They looked like the picture-perfect family-warm, effortless, and harmonious.
Yet, Renee had never been welcomed into this family with such ease.
A flicker of unease crept into William’s chest as he wondered how Renee must have felt each time she walked through these doors, knowing she didn’t belong. In the beginning, no matter how cold Esme’s demeanor was, Renee had always worn a bright, unwavering smile. But over time, that spark had dimmed.
Renee had always carried herself with pride. Since when had she started lowering her
head around the Mitchells?
He then recalled as time went, she didn’t smile as much anymore, the warmth in her eyes slowly fading, like a candle flickering in the wind.
“You’re back,” Esme called out, spotting William first. She waved him over with a pleased smile. “Come here and take a look. Sylvia picked out this bracelet for me- doesn’t it look exquisite?”
William stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Eric, on the other hand, made no
effort to hide his displeasure, letting out a low grunt at the sight of his son.
Standing beside Esme, William glanced at the jade bracelet resting delicately in her
hand. A memory surfaced in his mind. “Didn’t Renee buy you one just like this?”
At the mere mention of Renee’s name, Esme’s smile vanished like a candle snuffed out
by the wind. Her expression darkened. “Why bring her up?”
Before William could respond, Eric slapped the newspaper onto the coffee table with a sharp thud. His face was thunderous. “You put in for a transfer back to Tofral?! All for a woman?! You threw away a bright future, and now you’re using your connections to
track her down? William! Is this how a soldier conducts himself?”
“Dad, the decision was mine to make. I still am-and will continue being-a soldier; it doesn’t matter where I continue my career,” William replied, standing firm.
“Doesn’t matter?” Eric barked, his frustration mounting. “You were on track for a
promotion next year! Do you have any idea what you’ve just thrown away? Years of hard work-wasted! And you had the audacity to do this without consulting me first? Stand right there! I’ll knock some sense into you today!”
Eric was already looking around for something to use as a makeshift disciplinary tool.
True to his training, William stood at attention, unflinching.
Sensing the storm brewing, Sylvia quickly stepped in. “Mr. Mitchell, please don’t be
angry. I’m sure William has his reasons. At least hear him out before making a decision. Please?” she pleaded, her tone gentle yet persuasive.
Eric had known Sylvia since she was a child, and given the Payne family’s long-
standing ties with the Mitchells, he was more inclined to listen to her.
“Fine,” he relented with a huff. “Let’s hear how he justifies this mess.”
Sylvia tugged lightly on William’s arm, offering him an encouraging nod. “Go on,
William.”
Esme, however, seized the opportunity to drive the wedge even deeper. “Look how
much Sylvia cares about you. She’s thoughtful, considerate-not like that Renee. That girl has no sense of decency. Honestly, is she really Johnny Carter’s granddaughter? You’d never guess it from the way she carries herself.”
“Mom! Can you stop picking on her every chance you get?” William snapped, his patience wearing thin.
“Every time I mention her, you jump to her defense!” Esme shot back. “Am I saying anything untrue? Now that she’s finally out of the picture, isn’t it for the best? She left the divorce papers, didn’t she? Go sign them tomorrow and be done with it.”
“Your mother is right! End it already!” Eric chimed in, his voice booming. “Look at the
chaos you caused in Tofral because of her!”
William clenched his fists, his voice steady and resolute. “I can make my own decisions about my life.”
The room fell into a tense silence-until Esme, consumed by rage, suddenly raised her
hand and struck William.
A sharp slap echoed through the air.
Everyone froze.
It was the first time Esme had ever hit William. Staring at her trembling hand, she felt a wave of regret crash over her. Her gaze flickered to William’s stunned expression-his usual composed demeanor shattered by sheer disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“William… I’m sorry… but everything I do, I do for your own good…” she murmured, her voice unsteady.
William let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh. He turned his gaze from Esme to Eric, nodding as if finally seeing them for who they truly were. “Alright. Tell me what is it you want from me?”
Esme lowered her head, unable to meet her son’s eyes.
Eric, however, remained as cold and unyielding as ever. “Divorce Renee and marry
Sylvia.”
William’s expression darkened, his gaze turning to Sylvia.
Sylvia was speechless. For the first time, she saw something unfamiliar-an icy
distance in his eyes, as if he were looking at a stranger. A long silence stretched between them before William finally spoke.
“Fine. As you wish.”
