Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 68: Breaking Point

Chapter 68: Breaking Point

Chapter 68: Breaking Point

The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the small hospital room.

Callian staggered slightly, his cheek burned as Leina glared at him with fury in her eyes.

"You will apologise to her!" Leina hissed.

"And after that, you will do what you should have done years ago—you will marry Mita."

Callian’s head snapped up, his eyes turned wild like a hungry animal who hadn’t eaten for a week.

"Apologise? Marry her?" His voice cracked with a sharp, bitter laugh. "She’s lying, Mother! And you know it!"

"Enough!" Leina said, her hand trembled as she pointed at him. "You’ve humiliated this family enough. Fix it, Callian!"

He turned toward Mita, who lay in the hospital bed, looking pale and fragile.

Her parents came and stood on either side of her protectively.

"Mita," Callian said, stepping closer. His voice was raw, almost pleading. "Tell them the truth. Stop this!"

Mita looked away, tears spilled down her cheeks. "I... I already told them what happened," she whispered.

Callian let out a strangled cry, his hands balling into fists. "You’re lying! Why are you doing this?!"

He moved closer to the bed. "What do you want from me?!"

"Stay away from her!" Mr. Anand shouted, stepping in front of Mita and pushing Callian back.

"You’ve done enough!" Mrs. Anand added.

"Get out before you hurt her again!"

Leina grabbed Callian’s arm and yanked him toward the door. "Leave, Callian! You’ve disgraced yourself enough for one day!"

"Disgraced myself?" Callian spat. "I’m the only one telling the truth here!"

Leina shoved him into the hallway. "I don’t care what you think is true. This family cannot survive another scandal. Apologise, marry Mita, and fix this mess!"

Callian stared at her, his chest heaved, before shaking his head and storming off down the hall.

"You’re dead to me, Mother... you and Mita better never show in front of me ever again."

"What? Callian?" Leina’s eyes froze in time. Her mouth opened. "You—you can’t! I’m your mother."

Leina couldn’t believe that Callian would choose someone else instead of her.

"A mother who’s dead to me. I no longer have one."

// Outside the Hospital \\

The bright lights of the cameras blinded Callian as he stepped outside.

A swarm of reporters pushed forward, microphones and questions flew at him from every direction.

"Mr. Reed, did you push Mita Anand off the balcony?"

"Is it true that you’ve been in a secret relationship with her?"

"What do you have to say about the allegations?"

Callian snapped. "She’s crazy!" he yelled, his voice echoed across the hospital parking lot.

The crowd gasped, cameras started flashing even faster.

"She’s lying about everything!" Callian added, shoving his way through the mob. "All of it!"

The reporters pressed closer, but he didn’t stop.

"Move!" He pushed through them with all his strength.

He managed to get into his car.

"Aaarrghhh!" Callian slammed the car door shut and gripped the steering wheel with both hands.

His chest heaved as his breath came in short, ragged gasps.

"Fuxk! God damn it! Fuck!" He let out a scream of frustration and slammed his fists into the wheel, over and over, until his hands ached and the horn blared faintly.

His head fell forward, resting on the wheel as tears spilled from his eyes.

His phone buzzed on the passenger seat.

He ignored it the first time, but when it rang again, he grabbed it without looking at the screen.

"Don’t go home or to the penthouse," Rylan’s voice came through the line. "The paparazzi are everywhere. You’ll just make it worse."

Callian wiped his face roughly with his sleeve. "Where the hell am I supposed to go?"

Rylan hesitated. "I don’t know. Just... lay low for a while. Figure something out."

Callian hung up, his head fell back against the headrest.

He stared at the ceiling of the car for a moment before calling another number.

// At Sana’s House \\

Eira sat on the couch, her laptop was open in front of her.

The headlines were everywhere: Callian Reed Denies Allegations of Pushing Mita Anand.

Pictures of Callian leaving the hospital with reporters swarming him filled the screen.

Her phone rang, and she glanced at the screen, seeing Callian’s name. She hesitated before answering.

"Eira," his voice was rough, broken. "Can I... can I stay with you? Just for tonight?"

Eira bit her lip, glancing at Sana, who had been reading on the other side of the room. Sana looked up, noticing her expression.

"Who is it?" Sana asked softly.

"Callian," Eira said. "He... he wants to stay here tonight."

Sana tilted her head, thinking.

After a moment, she nodded. "It’s fine. I’ll spend the night at a friend’s place."

Eira returned to the call. "You can come," she said quietly.

The knock at the door came twenty minutes later.

Eira opened it to find Callian standing there, his hair was really dishevelled and his eyes red and swollen.

He looked utterly defeated.

Before she could say anything, he stepped inside and collapsed into her arms.

"I can’t take this anymore," he whispered.

Eira froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "It’s okay," she said softly.

Sana emerged from her room, a duffle bag slung over her shoulder.

She paused, taking in the scene, before giving Eira a small smile. "I’ll see you tomorrow," she said quietly, slipping out the door.

Callian sank onto the couch, his head in his hands.

He didn’t say anything for a long time, and Eira sat beside him, unsure of what to do.

Finally, he looked up at her. "I didn’t do it, Eira," he said.

"I didn’t push her. She’s lying. And now everyone thinks I’m a monster."

Eira reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I believe you," she said softly.

His breath hitched, and he broke down again, leaning into her. "I don’t know how much more of this I can take," he admitted.

Eira held him, her own heart ached for him, as his tears soaked into her shoulder.

"Callian, whatever you decide, I’m here for you. I believe you..."

"I even told my mother—" Callian paused. "Leina that she’s dead to me."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because she ordered me to marry Mita and divorce you."