Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 52: Callian’s Intentions

Chapter 52: Callian’s Intentions

Chapter 52 : Callian’s Intentions

The car screeched to a stop in front of the hospital. Callian jumped out, cradling Eira tightly in his arms as he rushed toward the entrance.

"Help! I need help!" he shouted as he burst through the doors.

Immediately, two nurses ran over with a stretcher. Callian carefully laid Eira down, his hands lingered for a second on her arm.

One nurse looked at him. "Are you family?"

Callian nodded. "I’m her husband."

The nurse nodded briskly. "Come with us. We’ll get her checked in."

He followed the stretcher, watching as they wheeled her down a long corridor, disappearing into a set of double doors.

He stood there for a moment, lost, staring at the doors as they swung shut.

Then, a voice cut into his thoughts. "Callian."

It was Mita, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a small smile appeared at her lips.

"Hey," he muttered, rubbing his hands over his face. "Thanks for getting me here."

She tilted her head, looking at him with narrowed eyes. "You could at least look at me when you say that."

He glanced at her briefly, giving her a nod. "Thank you, Mita."

A smirk spread across her face. She stepped closer, reaching out to straighten his collar. "You’re always so...distant, Callian. I’ve been waiting a long time, you know."

Callian frowned and pulled back slightly. "Mita, please. This isn’t the time."

"Oh, isn’t it?" Her eyes sparkled, and she dropped her voice. "You’re so tense. I could help you relax...just a little."

"Stop it." He took her hand from his collar and pushed it gently away.

She sighed, crossing her arms. "Why did you marry her, Callian? Hm? Was it really just for her father’s situation? It can’t be that. Not for you."

Callian’s expression softened slightly, and he leaned closer, "I made a promise...to someone."

Mita’s brow furrowed, and she searched his face. "Who? Who would you promise something like this to?"

He shook his head, taking a deep breath, and looked away. "That’s all I can say."

"After all this time...you’re still not going to let me in, are you?"

Callian didn’t answer. He kept being focused on the door, the one behind which Eira lay somewhere, under doctors’ care.

Mita huffed, crossing her arms more tightly. "Fine. But remember, Callian, I’m not going to wait forever."

She looked him over, "One day, you’ll regret pushing me away like this."

Before he could respond, the doctor emerged from the double doors, clipboard in hand.

Callian instantly straightened, turning away from Mita.

"Mr. Reed?" The doctor’s voice was calm. "Your wife is stable now. We managed to alleviate the pain, but we’ll need to keep her here for observation."

Callian nodded quickly, relief flooding his face. "Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, but she needs rest. Try to keep things calm."

"Thank you." Callian’s eyes softened, and he looked past the doctor toward the hallway.

The doctor left, and Callian took a step toward the doors. Just as he did, Mita placed a hand on his arm.

"Don’t forget what I said," she whispered, her voice soft and slightly pleading. "Callian..."

But he simply pulled his arm away and walked down the hall, pushing through the door to Eira’s room.

Inside, Eira lay pale but peaceful, her breathing steady.

He settled into the chair by her bed, reaching out to gently touch her hand.

"My dear beautiful wife, you look so pale right now...like a penguin."

His eyes traced the lines of her face.

He felt the same strange tug inside, the one that had been growing since they’d married.

When he’d made the promise to protect her, he hadn’t thought much of it.

She had seemed fragile back then, and he’d agreed to look after her for reasons that had nothing to do with feelings.

But over time, he’d seen her strength, her courage—how she never backed down even when she had every reason to.

She could fight through pain, hold herself together when everything seemed to be falling apart, and she did it without asking for anything in return.

There was something...unbreakable about her.

A quiet, unspoken bravery.

For the first time, he realised he cared about her in a way he hadn’t expected.

It was a feeling beyond the weight of his promise—a feeling of respect, of admiration.

And maybe, just maybe, something deeper.

As his thoughts wandered, his gaze dropped to her hand, where she still clutched something tightly.

He leaned closer, gently prying her fingers open to see a crumpled card in her hand.

Squinting, he made out the faint logo of the police department.

A chill ran down his spine as he carefully slipped the card from her grasp.

"Why...?" He held it between his fingers, staring down at the card, reading it over and over as if it might reveal some hidden answer.

The police had been here, looking for something. Eira must have seen them; she must have spoken to them.

But she hadn’t told him.

The questions flooded in, cold and relentless.

Did she know something about what he’d done? Was she suspicious of him?

He’d tried so hard to bury the past, to keep his secrets hidden.

But now, as he looked at Eira, he wondered if she was keeping secrets of her own.

He swallowed hard, glancing back at her peaceful face.

What if she knew about his history?

What if she’d started putting the pieces together?

Eira was smart—too smart.

Had she started doubting him, seeing through the version of himself he’d shown her?

And yet, she hadn’t said a word. Not to him. Why?

He stared at Eira for a bit longer, "I met your mother when I was a child, Eira...way before you were even born. She told me if one day she has a daughter, she would want me to marry her."

Callian let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes.

"And the minute I saw you, I knew you would be my escape as well. So let’s work together, because I don’t know what I will do if you..."