Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 224: Our Relationship With The Little One

Chapter 224: Our Relationship With The Little One

Leslie kept her eyes closed, unable to look directly at Calix’s reddened eyes. Her heart was torn seeing the uncertainty and fear swirling in his eyes.

His question echoed again in her mind.

"Have you known... about it? You knew... that the man... was me?"

Yes. She knew.

Or rather, she learned the truth through unconventional ways.

Slowly lifting her eyelids, Leslie nodded twice, non-verbally admitting to his question. Her response sank Calix’s expression further.

"I didn’t immediately... know..." Leslie fidgeted with her skirt, nervously saying the half-truths to Calix, "I only... vaguely remember that night... I didn’t go looking... for that man too..."

Despite having more questions, Calix reminded himself to regain his calm. This was all too shocking to him. He expected nothing about this at all – of Leslie being aware of his identity.

"The realization... just came to me..." resumed Leslie, her voice bearing a hint of regret, "You’re not a man... who would do something... because of a nonsensical... matter..."

It was true that Calix was disturbed by Old Madam Xu’s constant effort in setting up blind dates for him. But, he wouldn’t sacrifice his freedom just for that.

Then, there should be a much more important reason that led him to marry the eldest miss of the Li family.

"I wanted to clarify it... with you, but I was... afraid..."

Leslie didn’t dare say she started guessing after reading Charlene’s diaries. Despite the latter not specifying a name, she knew by heart the man was Calix.

Charlene’s memories of that night were not too clear either. Yet, a sense of helplessness flooded Leslie’s heart as she scoured those memories gradually surfacing in her mind.

Charlene was scared of the unknown but, she grew to love the child she nursed in her womb. She even dreamed of starting her own small family—just the two of them—after giving birth to the child.

Unfortunately, the Li family’s decision cruelly destroyed Charlene’s dreams. She was robbed of that chance even before she started.

According to the diaries, Old Madam Li ordered someone to send the newborn Calliope away when Charlene passed out after the delivery.

The new mother was thoroughly exhausted and was in so much pain. Waking up to the news of her daughter’s disappearance shattered her whole.

Closing her eyes, Leslie painstakingly let out a ragged breath. A piercing pain stabbed her heart.

Charlene’s agony during the miserable times suddenly overtook Leslie as if she personally went through them.

Perhaps, it was enhanced by her own experience of losing her daughter to death once before.

"I also wished... that man was you..." Leslie whispered, speaking from her heart, "I don’t want to... take advantage of your kindness but... if you were him... I know you won’t... push me away..."

Against the odds that Calliope was not Calix’s biological child, Leslie was fully certain the man wouldn’t alienate her. Despite feeling sorry for taking advantage of his kindness, she needed his compassion.

Calix was stunned, acknowledging the fear and hurt in Leslie’s voice. He quickly shook his head.

"I won’t ever do that! Not even once!"

’Only if you decided to leave.’

Calix was prepared to hear about Calliope not being his blood. He silently vowed to himself that no matter who the child was, he wouldn’t let Leslie bear the burden alone.

"Calix... let me ask you this... I want to know..."

Leslie’s trembling voice resonated in the chilly and quiet air. Her eyes mirrored Calix’s; reddened and glazed by unshed tears. She forced herself to continue despite the thorns spiking into her soul.

"Do you feel guilty... toward me for what happened... that night?"

One of Charlene’s parting words resurfaced in Leslie’s mind. At that time, the former’s request perplexed her.

"Leslie, when one day he apologizes to you for what happened years ago, please forgive him on my behalf[01]"

Leslie only shed her confusion away the more she read Charlene’s diaries. She had been thinking about this matter from the moment she guessed Charlene and Calix’s relationship.

But, the time to bring it up had yet to arrive – until now.

Leslie’s question earned a few nods from Calix. His slumping posture further expressed the weight of the burden he was shouldering.

Without making up excuses, Calix straightforwardly said, "No matter what had happened... I took advantage of you... and left you to suffer alone... Ultimately, I rap..."

"N-no! Don’t say that!"

Bewildered, Leslie abruptly cut Calix off. She repeatedly shook her head, not allowing Calix to degrade himself in this situation.

Charlene and Calix’s fate began on that night. Either through someone’s scheme or not, neither of them was truly responsible.

"I don’t know... everything yet but... I know you’re not to blame, Calix... If you said it like that... it meant I took... advantage of you too..."

Charlene wrote about being pushed into the room by a group of young ladies. Her memories told Leslie their identities were Gladys’ lackeys.

Those treacherous women forced Charlene to drink more than her ability. The latter suspected that she was also drugged in the process.

Charlene’s memories of that night were hazy due to her condition. Even though she wanted to stand up to herself, Gladys threatened her.

If Charlene ever spoke anything about it, Gladys and her lackeys promised to twist the story and paint her the villain. The downhearted Charlene further sank into depression.

Until she discovered that she was pregnant.

No matter how she conceived the child, Charlene wished to start anew. She even began planning to run away from this country before her bump began showing up.

Nevertheless, none of her plans came true. Her life was destroyed by those people she called family.

Biting her lower lip, Leslie held back from shedding any tears. There was something else she wished to ask Calix. Her glossy eyes made it harder for her to properly see the man’s countenance.

For certain, only guilt brimming on his face.

"Calix, did you... find out my true relationship... with Calliope?" Leslie paused, taking in a deep breath before asking, "What about... your connection... with her?"

Leslie’s questions stabbed into Calix’s conscience. He was immediately reminded of what he had done behind her back.

Calix momentarily shut his eyes. Clasping his hands together, he nodded again. When he reopened his eyes, the sight of Leslie’s tears trickling down her face was reflected in his orbs.

"I do... I know... that Calliope is our daughter..."

Calix paused, the quivering of his heart sent a numbing sensation to his whole body. Leslie patiently waited for him to continue.

"I’m sorry, Leslie... I... I did a DNA test without your knowledge."

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