Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 212: Among the Children Was Her Daughter

Chapter 212: Among the Children Was Her Daughter

Calix and Leslie had some breakfast before heading to the airport. The sun slowly raised above the horizon, chasing the remaining darkness away. Brilliant streaks of ruby, amber and violet colored the sky canvas.

"You ate so little," Calix pointed out after feeding Leslie the last scoop of porridge under her request. He glanced from her to the small bowl sitting on the table.

"I’m nervous..." Leslie chuckled, smiling sheepishly at Calix, "I want to save... some space for the party’s food too..."

Aunt Wendy prepared some porridge, steamed buns and soy milk as usual. Due to her anxiousness, Leslie didn’t have much appetite. She only ate a few spoonfuls of porridge.

Sighing in helplessness, Calix fondly stared at Leslie. Her glimmering eyes expressed her anticipation of what would come today.

"Alright. Save more space for the cake and desserts."

Leslie nodded. Her little action earned laughter from Calix.

As soon as they finished breakfast, the husband and wife headed to the executive van. Aunt Wendy and Uncle Raymond bid them farewell while wishing Calix Happy Birthday.

As usual, Logan sat behind the wheels. Mrs. An and a few of the bodyguards also tagged along. Some had been waiting for their arrival at the orphanage.

According to Calix, everything necessary had been set up on the orphanage’s front lawn excluding the food and drinks. The dishes, desserts and cake would be served buffet-style right before they arrived.

"We’ll land in an hour," said Calix once he and Leslie were seated in the private jet, "If you’re sleepy, just take a nap ah."

Calix noticed Leslie kept dozing off in the car earlier. He vaguely heard her telling Mrs. Su that she couldn’t sleep well last night.

Perhaps, she was too excited to meet her—their—daughter for the first time.

’Tonight... should be the moment, isn’t it?’

Calix pursed his lips, thinking of his plan later tonight. He wished to tell Leslie the truth when they were alone back at the manor. Hopefully, she won’t be too tired after today’s event.

The other option was tomorrow, once they had regained their energy after a night of sleep.

No matter how Leslie reacted by then, Calix would accept everything. He had been wronging her for so long. It was time to make it right.

’She’ll get to name the price. Even though... she might want to leave me one day.’

Unaware of the heavy thoughts that loomed in Calix’s mind, faint laughter slipped out of Leslie’s lips. She couldn’t help but think how obvious her sleepiness was.

"I shall do that..." replied Leslie quietly, her eyelids slowly drooping, "I couldn’t sleep much... last night..."

Softening his voice, Calix asked, "Why? Too excited for today?"

"Hehe... you can say so..."

Withdrawing her eyes from Calix, Leslie threw her gaze out of the window of the small private jet, looking beyond the airport runway. They were waiting to depart.

The Saturday morning’s weather was nice. Leslie happily watched how clear the blue sky was.

The distant white puffy clouds drifted alongside the breeze, mapping various shapes on the sky canvas. The blazing bright sun reminded her of her hope.

In an hour... she would be reunited with her daughter. It had been a long-awaited moment for her.

Leslie quietly fiddled with the throw blanket covering her legs as her mind recalled the vague images of last night’s dreams. She really hoped they would regain clarity as soon as possible.

’What should I do now? Which step should I take after meeting Poppy?’

Slightly shaking her head, Leslie shut her eyes.

First thing first, she had to meet her daughter. The rest would have to wait. She didn’t want to commit any misstep by acting in a rush.

’Please... Don’t cry. Don’t... hug her either.’

Leslie doubted herself in holding back her feelings once she met Calliope. Most probably, she would burst into tears. But, doing so might raise Calix’s suspicions.

The man was perceptive by nature. Without even asking Calix, Leslie knew that he had been wondering and making guesses about her relationship with Calliope.

Calix’s benevolence became Leslie’s saving grace. Never once did he inquire about the subject from her.

Yet, this wouldn’t mean forever.

’I need to talk to him before he starts asking me.’

The man and the woman were unaware of each other’s similar thoughts. None of them visibly expressed their concerns, acting as if they were purely looking forward to today’s trip.

"Calix, I’ll sleep..." Leslie threw a glance at Calix, seeing him fiddling with his phone, "Wake me up... before we land..."

"Sure. Ah, let me recline your seat."

Calix put down the phone. He adjusted Leslie’s seat, lowering the backrest slightly for her to lay comfortably. They exchanged a smile before she gradually drifted to sleep.

Throughout the plane ride, Leslie napped peacefully while Calix was busy with his phone. He kept getting messages from Xander and Davin, asking to meet him today.

Xander and Davin had been questioning Calix’s plan for his birthday. He hadn’t told them about his short getaway with Leslie.

[Calix: I’m out of the city. Have a short trip with my wife]

[Calix: Let’s plan later]

Weeks had passed but, Calix still remembered how Xander irked him before. The latter’s questions and constant justifications about why he should divorce Leslie irritated him.

Without waiting for their answers, Calix silenced his personal phone. He wanted no interruption today. If there was something urgent, his team of bodyguards would surely notify him.

The private jet landed at the airport of Bridgeland City after an hour. Calix, Leslie and everyone immediately rode the executive van to Frostwich Town. Another van followed from behind.

"Oh... is that it? The orphanage?"

Leslie craned her neck, trying to look further at the two-story building visible from a distance. She saw colorful balloons and a huge inflatable castle on the front lawn, a perfect setting for a party.

"Yes, that’s it," Calix nodded once, "Seems like the children are already out."

Leslie blinked, feeling her hope up. The nearer they got to the orphanage, the clearer she could see the little turnip heads waiting for their arrival. She also noticed a few of Calix’s men.

Among the children was her daughter.

Clenching her skirt, Leslie didn’t realize her anticipation had overcome her worries. Sparkles glimmered in her eyes, shone with hope and dreams.

Logan parked the car under one of the shady trees in the yard. He and Mrs. An had just opened the door when Calix’s voice came from the backseat.

"Logan, greet Director Li first. We’ll come out a bit later. Just put the wheelchair outside."

"Yes, Second Young Master."

Logan understood the meaning beneath Calix’s order. It seemed like his boss wanted to talk to his wife.

"Mrs. An, let’s head out," Logan glanced at Mrs. An who got confused by Calix’s words, "The director and children are waiting for us."

"Ah... yes..."

Leslie watched Logan and Mrs. An exiting the van. Blinking, she turned her eyes to Calix. Like the private nurse, she also didn’t understand what he meant.

"Calix... aren’t we going out... now?"

Calix usually opened the door on her side right after Logan or anyone stepped out of the vehicle. He showed no signs of disembarking the van.

"There’s something I need to tell you first," Calix smiled faintly, looking apologetic as he returned Leslie’s gaze, "I should have done it before but... I’m sorry. I delayed until now."

"...en?"

Under Leslie’s curious gaze, Calix said, "Actually, I’ve come here once before. I’ve also met Calliope at that time."

"W-what? What did you say?"

Leslie gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. Calix’s countenance was reflected in her orbs.

"I’m really sorry," Calix paused, unsure of what he should say next before he quietly resumed, speaking the half-truth, "I wanted to see this place before I brought you here. I’d feel better if I visited this home myself."

Calix was aware of how stunned Leslie would be. But, he had to tell this much before she learned about his previous visit from the children.

Leslie closed her gaping mouth. She really didn’t foresee Calix secretly visiting this orphanage. Her heart almost jumped to her throat at the mention of him meeting Calliope.

’He... he’s suspicious about me. As he should be.’

Calix was usually swamped by his busy schedule, but he still made time to personally visit this place. If not for being suspicious, what else?

"Calix..."

Unwilling to be let down by her own guesses, Leslie pushed the uncomfortable feeling to the back of her mind. Her eyes were locked onto Calix’s, unknowingly projecting her resolve.

"Tonight... may we speak? I have something... to tell you..."

Calix blinked, not envisioning this kind of reaction from Leslie.

She was calmer than he had expected.

"Alright," Calix nodded once, softening his smile. He extended a hand to Leslie, "For now, let’s enjoy today, en?"

"Okay."

Lifting one hand, Leslie put her palm over Calix’s, letting its warmth seep under her skin before traveling to her heart.