Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 225: He Was Reluctant No More

Chapter 225: He Was Reluctant No More

Even without Calix saying anything, Leslie knew that he had learned about her—Charlene’s—pregnancy. Most probably, he had done a more in-depth investigation about Calliope and the mystery surrounding the uncanny night.

Calix’s affirmation solidified Leslie’s guess.

’I’ve expected this...’

The husband and wife exchanged another tearful gaze before Calix slowly lowered his head in a hushed shame.

The gentle lapping of the water resonated in the air, followed by the echo of the leaves rustling. The moon beamed through the lake, sending twinkles in its wake.

The tranquil night failed to put their hearts at ease. Immense sorrow for the past regrets consumed the gentleman and the lady.

Breathing out raggedly, Calix coerced himself to speak more. He kept his gaze on the wooden deck, not daring to look at Leslie.

"I’m sorry for going... behind your back. You said you’d tell me the truth about Calliope later but... I couldn’t wait. Not when I was still doubtful about that night."

Calix had never wanted to excuse his behavior. Still, he silently wished that Leslie would understand where his concern stemmed from.

He really, really didn’t want her to loathe him.

He also didn’t want her to distance herself from him.

Frowning, Leslie tried to hold back the uncomfortable sensation stirring in her heart. Instead of feeling disappointed because Calix secretly did a DNA test, she felt awful for letting him bear the burden of guilt.

"...you don’t have to apologize."

Leslie’s quiet response stunned Calix. He blankly stared at his palms. Having more things to say to her, he awkwardly raised his chin.

His gaze returned to her countenance.

Her eyes were usually bright, mirroring the beauty of the moon. Yet, now despair tainted the glow.

Taking in the glaze pooling over her orbs, Calix fought the urge to run his thumb under Leslie’s eyes.

How he wished to dry her tears away, to offer her comfort.

But, did he have the right?

"I’m sorry, Leslie. I’m sorry for letting you suffer alone... for forcing myself on you... and for not shielding you and our daughter..."

Despite being strangers with Leslie when that night happened, Calix couldn’t shake off the tremendous regret from tugging his heart. He couldn’t even imagine the torment she had to endure.

Not only was she scorned for being pregnant outside of marriage, but she was also deprived of the joy of being a mother. Her child—their daughter—was forcibly taken away from her.

Calix bit his lower lip. Clenching his hands harder, he inevitably dug his nails deeper into his palms, leaving red crescent marks.

"I’m sorry... I’m really sorry... I don’t know... how can I make it up to you... and for our daughter..."

Six years. Leslie and Calliope were separated for six years, denying her the chance to witness the little one’s growth. No amount of wealth could bring those lost moments back.

"I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry, Leslie... S-sorry..."

Leslie blinked, silently letting her tears continue to fall. Calix’s genuine apology touched her quivering heart. Once again she was reminded of Charlene’s parting words.

This was the moment. The very moment to relay Charlene’s words to Calix.

"Calix..." Leslie slightly shook her head, trying to control the overwhelming of her emotions. She needed to make it clear to him, "Neither you nor me... can bring back the lost times but... we can treasure the present... and future more..."

Charlene and the child had departed from this world. The one who occupied the little one’s body now was her—Leslie Song’s—daughter. Only the child’s body was biologically related to Calix.

Despite that, Leslie didn’t have the heart and desired to tell Calix the truth. From the look of it, he had grown fond of Calliope and seemed to want to be involved with the child’s life.

And... Leslie wished to give Calliope a different kind of life this time around.

How happy her child was to have such a doting and caring father? After all, she had never received a father’s love since birth.

’I know I’m being selfish. I’m deceiving him right now.’

A white lie was still a lie. Leslie was aware of that fact.

But...

This was the best she could do now.

Breathing in deeply, Leslie reached out for both of Calix’s hands. The man flinched for a moment before he hastily enveloped his palms over her hands as if he was desperate for the touch.

"Either way... I want to apologize," Calix’s hoarse voice channeled his remorse, "I still played a part... in making you and Calliope... suffer..."

A chuckle escaped Leslie’s lips. She pressed both of her thumbs in the middle of Calix’s palms.

How good this man’s heart was? That incident also tormented him, yet he still sincerely apologized for something out of his control.

Neither Calix nor Charlene was lucid enough to give consent to each other. The one to blame was the mastermind who set up the stage and manipulated them into it.

Leslie didn’t know who the manipulator was. He might appear in a distant future, but that was not her main concern for now.

Smiling at the red-eyed Calix, Leslie silently wished to put his mind at ease, simultaneously conveying Charlene’s words.

Leslie took her right hand out of Calix’s grasp. Her heart was tickled seeing the reluctance glint in his eyes. She hovered her palm over one side of his face before slowly cupping his left cheek.

The warm touch momentarily entranced him.

Calix parted his lips, wanting to say something, yet no words slipped out of his mouth. He quietly let himself be absorbed in Leslie’s eyes.

They might be as red as his but, the muddiness slowly dispersed, returning to their clarity state.

"I forgive you, Calix... I truly do."

The night breeze echoed her whisper to the man, carrying along her understanding and hope for the future days.

There. She finally conveyed Charlene’s wish.

Calix slowly blinked, letting those words sink into his mind. In his trance, he covered the soft hand cupping his face. Another ragged whiff was exhaled from his mouth.

"T-thank you, Leslie... thank you..." Calix’s breath hitched, the dams of his eyes breaking once more, "I will treat you... and our daughter well... I’m sorry... and thank you... Thank you..."

Calix was aware that his marriage to Leslie was a calculated move on his side. But, he ardently wished to continue staying with her while developing a bond with Calliope.

More than three months ago, their relationship started. Despite its uncanny nature, he enjoyed her companionship.

When she was happy, the same joy flooded his heart.

When sadness overtook her, gloom muddied his day.

When she was being cheeky and silly, he was happy to be the one exchanging banter with her.

If before, Calix was hesitant to put a name to this feeling. He silently thought he was just being carried away by the moments he shared with Leslie.

Now, he was reluctant no more.

He loved her.

He adored her.

His heart yearned for her.

He—Calix Xu—loved Leslie, be it in her soul or human form.

Calix drew a smile on his lips. He returned Leslie’s whisper.

"Leslie..." ’I love you.’ "...I will cherish you and our daughter... May you give me a chance... for us to be a family?"

What he saw next was...

The starlight in her eyes was incomparable to any beautiful scenery he had seen, unknowingly capturing his heart once more.