Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 42: Defending Love

Chapter 42: Defending Love

Chapter 42: Defending Love

Leina’s hands trembled with both anger and fear as she looked at her son. "Respect? Callian, how can you ask me to respect the woman who nearly cost me my son?"

Callian stood tall; he wrapped his arms protectively around Eira’s shoulders.

"Mother, you have to understand—Eira is not to blame for any of this. She’s suffered too."

"Suffered?" Leina frowned. "She hasn’t had to watch her son lying unconscious, wondering if he’d ever wake up. She hasn’t—"

"Enough!" Callian’s voice was calm but sharp, leaving no room for argument. "I love her. I chose her. And I would make the same choice a hundred times over. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept it."

Leina’s face relaxed for a moment. "She’s changed you, Callian. You were never this... defiant."

Eira’s voice broke the silence. "I didn’t mean to come between you two. I didn’t want any of this to happen."

Leina scoffed, dismissing Eira’s words. "If you truly cared, you’d leave. You’d walk away and let my son have the life he deserves."

"Mother," Callian said in a really exhausting tone, "this is the life I deserve. A life with Eira by my side."

Leina’s shoulders slumped as she looked away, tears brimming in her eyes.

She shook her head, still unwilling to accept it, and left without another word.

Callian held Eira close, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

"I’m sorry," Eira whispered, "I never wanted to cause trouble between you and your mother."

"This isn’t your fault," he reassured her. "Some people just need time to accept things, and I’ll help her see."

~___~

That evening, Callian was released from the hospital, but instead of going home, he had other plans.

"Where are we going?" Eira asked, surprised, as he directed their driver toward his office.

"There’s something I need to handle," he replied. "It won’t take long."

"Bu—"

"Please, go home and rest. I will be right back."

Once he arrived at his office, his assistant was already waiting with a stack of papers in her hands and a concerned look on her face.

"Sir, I didn’t expect you back so soon...you’re alive," she said, eyeing Callian.

"Just tell me what’s going on," Callian instructed, taking a seat behind his desk.

She took a deep breath before she began. "The headlines are... troubling, sir. The press is all over the incident with Henry. But now they’re focusing on Eira."

Callian’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Vanesa... she leaked certain photos to the press. Photos of Eira—showing signs of her being sexually abused. Bruises, cuts... everything. They made it look like it was her own will."

"Fuck!" Callian slammed his hand.

The assistant continued in a tone that seemed uncomfortable.

"They’re accusing her of being a gold digger, suggesting she’s using you to elevate her status. The media has painted her as a manipulative person—claiming she’s trying to play the victim to gain sympathy."

Callian’s fist clenched. "And Vanesa? She’s spreading these lies?"

"Yes, and she’s implying that Eira’s injuries are exaggerated or even faked. She’s made it sound as if Eira is only after your wealth and position."

Callian stood, crossing his hands. "None of what they’re saying is true... and I won’t let them continue this smear campaign against her."

The assistant took a deep breath. "Callian, the public’s starting to turn. People are questioning

Eira’s character, and with Vanesa’s influence, it’s spreading quickly. If we don’t act soon... it may ruin her reputation completely."

Callian’s jaw tightened. "I won’t let that happen. Eira’s suffered enough."

"What do you want me to do?" the assistant asked, while meeting his eyes, waiting.

"First, we’re countering this," Callian stated. "I want statements out in the morning—official ones. No vague answers, no sugarcoating. Make it clear that any claims of Eira’s character are slander."

"Yes, sir. I can start drafting something right away," she nodded.

"And as for Vanesa... I want her cut off," he continued in a colder tone. "I want every partnership, every sponsorship tied to her to dissolve, and I don’t care what it takes. Make it clear that she’s not to mess with me or with Eira ever again."

The assistant hesitated. "Sir, this might bring more attention... Are you sure?"

"More attention?" he scoffed. "I’ll take every ounce of scrutiny they throw at me if it means protecting her." His eyes darkened. "And then... I want Henry dealt with."

She blinked, slightly caught off guard. "You mean...?"

"He’s the reason all of this started. His twisted games, his obsession with Eira’s mother—this all traces back to him. I want every single detail on him dug up more. Every skeleton he’s tried to hide. Find it, and bring it to me."

The assistant nodded, understanding him.

"Understood. We’ll uncover everything."

Callian’s voice softened, but his glare remained the same. "I don’t want him just silenced. I want him ruined. I want him to know he messed with the wrong people."

"I’ll make it happen," she assured him, putting down notes quickly.

"And... about Eira’s teacher. I need all the information you could get about him. Yes. He’s the one who hurt her when she was younger. I want everything on him. Where he is now, what he’s doing... I don’t care how old it is. No one gets to hurt her without consequences."

"I’ll look into it," she said softly. "And if we find anything actionable?"

"Then we make sure he’s held accountable. Publicly, legally—whatever it takes." He exhaled, looking down at his clenched fists.

"Eira’s suffered more than anyone knows. No one else will get away with hurting her. Not again."

The assistant stood there a moment, admiring Callian’s love for Eira. "You’re really willing to fight this battle for her, aren’t you?"

"I’d fight a hundred more if it meant she’d be safe." His voice softened. "She deserves that much."

She nodded again. "Then we’ll make sure she has the life she deserves—free from people like Henry and Vanesa."

"Exactly," Callian agreed. He straightened up, looking her in the eye. "But remember, this stays between us. The last thing I need is for Eira to think she’s the cause of all this. She blames herself enough already."

"Of course. I’ll handle it discreetly," she assured him.

"Thank you. I know I’m asking a lot."

She gave him a small smile. "It’s nothing, sir. Eira’s lucky to have someone like you by her side. You also survived the coma... we all thought you were dead."

"So nice of you."

"Of course; we were joking, but Eira is really lucky."

He looked away. "I’m the lucky one. She’s worth every bit of this."

Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Eira. -Are you coming home soon?- it read.

He glanced at it and then at his assistant. "I’ll leave the rest in your hands. I have someone waiting for me."

"Of course. I’ll keep you updated."

As he turned to leave, Callian paused, glancing back. "Make sure no one underestimates her again. They’ll soon understand that hurting her means dealing with me."

"Understood," the assistant replied with a nod.

With that, Callian walked out.