Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 45: Callian VS William

Chapter 45: Callian VS William

Chapter 45: Callian VS William

The whole day at university was horrible.

Eira felt every stare, every whisper around her. Her classmates looked at her like she was something strange, something wrong.

Even her professors gave her long glances, as if she was the devil himself.

"Don’t mind them," William said, noticing her tense shoulders as they walked out of class. "They’re just jealous of you."

Eira shrugged, forcing herself to look unbothered. "I don’t care. It’s not like I need their approval."

Just as they turned the corner, Vanesa appeared with a few of her friends.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Eira," Vanesa said.

She stepped in closer, making sure her words were loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "How did you like the men and circus that previous night? You would sell yourself for money so easily."

Eira felt her face heat up, but she didn’t reply. She looked away, fixing her eyes on the ground.

"Oh, come on," Vanesa pressed. "Why so shy now? Weren’t you quite the sight, throwing yourself around? We all know it’s not like you have much else to offer, do you?"

Eira clenched her fists but kept silent.

"Hah!" Vanesa laughed. "I mean, look at you. You’re nothing without someone else’s money, someone else’s power. You’re just another—"

Suddenly, a group of men approached.

One of them stepped between Vanesa and Eira; he had a hard face.

"That’s enough," he said in a firm tone.

He gently moved Vanesa back, his friends following suit, creating a barrier around Eira.

Another man turned to William, who had started to step forward, and held out his hand, blocking him.

"Move," William demanded, trying to push past, but the men didn’t budge.

One of them shook his head.

Then, footsteps sounded from behind.

Callian appeared with a frown on his forehead.

He walked straight up to William, nudging him aside with ease, before reaching Vanesa.

Without a word, he grabbed her by the neck with an uncontrollable grip.

"What did you say?" Callian’s voice was low.

Vanesa’s smirk vanished, her eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t seem to find her voice.

"I asked you a question," Callian continued, his tone unchanged. "What did you say to her?"

"I... I didn’t mean..." Vanesa stammered, her act faded very fast.

Callian released her slowly, taking a step back but keeping his stare on her. "Get out of here," he ordered.

Vanesa hesitated, but her friends quickly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her away.

William’s face turned pale; he took a step back, his gaze shifted between Eira and Callian.

Callian ignored him and looked at Eira instead. "Are you alright?"

Eira nodded, still speechless.

"Good," Callian replied, giving her a faint smile. Then, turning serious again, he shot one last look at William and said, "Stay away from her."

William stepped closer. "Where were you, Callian? Where were you when the whole university was tearing her apart?"

Callian’s eyes stayed fixed on him, silent.

"Where were you when they threw insults at her, laughed at her? When she was crying alone, when she needed someone—where were you?"

Callian’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

"What’s wrong?" William let out a scoff. "Does the truth sting a little, Callian? Do you just show up when it’s easy? When it’s convenient?"

Callian’s hand shot out, shoving William back.

William steadied himself, laughing. "That’s all you’ve got? Come on, show me more!"

William smirked, stepping back in. "What, now you’re silent? Nothing to say for yourself?"

Eira looked between them.

"Go on," William taunted. "Act tough all you want, but everyone knows the truth. You weren’t there when she was being humiliated. Not once."

"Watch your words, William," Callian warned in a low voice.

"Or what?" William’s voice rose; it was so sharp and mocking. "You’ll push me again? Prove my point? You’re nothing but talk, Callian. All this big attitude, and yet when she needed you—" He paused, his smirk widened. "Nothing. You were nowhere."

Callian took a step forward. "You don’t know anything."

"Oh, don’t I?" William’s laugh was bitter. "I saw her, Callian. I saw her alone, fighting, holding herself together while you were... where, exactly?"

"Enough," Callian’s voice cut through.

"No, it’s not enough," William retorted. "You think you can just show up now and play the hero? Pretend like you care?" He leaned in. "It’s pathetic."

Callian’s hand twitched, but he held his ground.

"Go on," William pressed. "Do something. Show everyone here that you’re as empty as I said. All bravado, nothing real."

"Back off," Callian warned again.

"Back off?" William scoffed. "Why? Afraid someone might finally see through you?"

"You’re crossing a line, William," Callian’s voice was barely restrained.

He didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Eira’s university and Eira herself.

He was scared she might see the monster he actually was.

"Oh, now there’s a line? You didn’t mind when they were crossing lines with Eira, did you?"

Callian’s silence only fueled him.

"What’s wrong, Callian?" William continued. "Nothing to say? You’re awfully quiet for someone who claims to care so much."

"Leave it," Callian stated.

"Leave it?" William’s face twisted. "I don’t think so. Not when you think you can waltz in here and pretend you’re the answer to her problems."

"Last warning, William."

"Or what?" William was not missing a beat. "You’ll finally do something? Because from where I’m standing, you’re just talking. All this protection, all this anger—none of it means anything. You’re too late."

"Enough." Callian’s voice dropped dangerously low.

William only stepped closer. "Admit it, Callian. You can’t stand that I was there for her. That I know her better than you ever will."

Callian’s jaw clenched. "You’re wrong."

"Am I?" William’s tone was cutting. "Then where were you, Callian? All this so-called care, and yet you were nowhere to be found."

Silence stretched, tense and brittle.

"Exactly," William smirked. "Nothing to say. Because you know it’s true."

"You have no idea what you’re talking about."

"Oh, I know plenty," William replied. "I know she was alone, and I know she was hurt. And I know you were—"

Callian’s voice sliced through. "This is the last time I’m going to say it, William. Back off."

"Or what?"

Callian didn’t answer.

"That’s what I thought," William sneered. "No backbone, no follow-through, no real care. Just empty promises. Pathetic."

Callian’s silence was unbroken.

"You know what the real difference is?" William’s voice softened. "I was there when it mattered. You weren’t."

"Walk away, William," Callian’s voice came calm.

"Oh, I will," William said with a smirk. "But remember, Callian—when she needed someone, you were too late."

"Why are you doing this, William?" Eira finally spoke, and both of them turned to her.

"Why? Because he doesn’t deserve you, Eira. When all this shit was happening, your husband was nowhere to be found."

Eira dropped her eyes down. "You know, I thought we were friends, but apparently I was wrong. You can’t disrespect my husband in front of me and hope I won’t say anything back."

"Eira...?"

"This is my decision, not Callian’s. Don’t you ever talk to me again."