How the Ice King Became my Doting Billionaire Husband

In the study, Norbert, struggling with labored breaths, leaned heavily against his chair.

Stuart looked on with cold detachment. "What do you want to tell me? If it's some sort of final confession, save your breath." Gasping for air, Norbert slowly spoke, "Stuart, I know you resent me for burying the past, but please, hear me out..."

Stuart cut him off sharply, "You don't owe me any explanations. What's there to hate? The moment I was rescued, those vile siblings were already dead. After five years of torment, my abusers were gone. What's left to hate? Or perhaps our mother, who, in her quest for wealth, threw me back to the Hetfield family? After being abandoned by her lover, she only came back to go mad and commit murder, not for me, but because her dreams of affluence were shattered. What is there for me to hate? The only thing I despise is the filth in my blood!"

Captured at eight, rescued at thirteen, on the very day of his rescue, his mother had killed those despicable siblings, his tormentors. Charged with murder, she went to prison. With his tormentors gone, he had no one left to hate. He often wondered why he was even brought into this world, this loathsome place. From then on, he trusted no one.

Originally, Norbert had attempted to persuade Stuart into marriage by using Stuart's mother's hopes of entering the Hetfield's circle of wealth as leverage, thinking they'd be even since it was her crime that freed him from his dungeon. Norbert's disapproval stemmed from knowing well that Stuart's mother was far from a saint. To Norbert, whether it was his deceased son and daughter or Stuart's mother, all were deserving of their fates.

Struggling for breath, Norbert clutched his chest, urgently saying, "Back then, I didn't just bury those scandals for the Hetfield name, but for you!"

Stuart stiffened, doubt flickering in his eyes.

Seeing the skepticism in Stuart's gaze, Norbert's expression turned bitter, "You think I cared about maintaining appearances, but did Norbert, ever deny my past mistakes? No. But those scandals, had they blown up, you would've

been the one to suffer thuld've

most...cough...cough..."

Blood trickled from the corner of Norbert's mouth as he coughed violently. Stuart narrowed his eyes, a mix of anger and concern evident.

After a moment, the coughing

ceased, and Norbert continued. "Realizing the gravity of what happened, I understood that no amount of wealth could make up for it. By silencing those stories, no one would bring them up in front of you. Maybe, with time, you'd forget the pain, start healing."

"No one outside knew, I forbade any mention of it within the Hetfields. I kept you close, taught you business, gave you shares, watched you grow stronger, ensuring your past wouldn't haunt you."

"All those who deserved to die, did. I was too focused on work, neglecting my family, I deserve death too. Sogn, I'll face it This isn't me seeking forgiveness; I just hope you can let go of your bitterness, live well. That's all wish for you, to simply live like anyone else."

Norbert had always fought hard, believing leaving a vast legacy was the mark of a worthy elder. It was only after Stuart's ordeal that he realized his mistake. Stuart stood frozen, absorbing every word.