Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 237: Loosen Up Your Guard, My Dear

Chapter 237: Loosen Up Your Guard, My Dear

"What a beautiful child she is."

A soft sigh escaped Old Madam Xu’s mouth, looking fondly at Calliope smiling at the camera. She gently touched the screen as if wanting to caress the little one’s face, her countenance brightening more.

"Oh~ Hehe, she’s so adorable ah. Aiya! She takes after Leslie the most but, her eyes and nose look like yours, Calix."

Old Madam Xu’s old eyes began picking up Calliope’s physical similarities with Leslie and Calix. Immense joy chased away her lingering shock upon seeing the little girl’s photo.

Calliope’s bright smile reminded Old Madam Xu of Calix’s childhood self, specifically of the ones when he appeared so angelic on the outside yet actually thinking of wreaking havoc.

Sigh, hopefully, this little Calliope wouldn’t inherit her father’s mischievousness much.

"She looks so pure ah! Definitely takes after Leslie more!"

Amused by Old Madam Xu’s choice of words, Calix and Leslie briefly stared at one another. They exchanged another relieved smile upon seeing the old lady’s mellow countenance.

It seemed like Old Madam Xu’s initial shock had worn off. Instead of asking various questions about the event six years ago, she was more keen to know about her recently discovered great-granddaughter.

Telling Old Madam Xu about Calliope indeed was a good start. Calix and Leslie could plan out their next steps properly from here on.

"Grandma, don’t exaggerate ah," Calix heaved a sigh, sounding half helpless and half amused "Can you see her clearly? You’re not wearing your glasses now."

Old Madam Xu clicked her tongue. Her soft gaze sharpened as she glared at Calix, "Tsk, behave ah. I haven’t dealt with you yet. Prepare yourself."

Leslie slipped out a chuckle while Calix pretended to appear defeated by his grandmother. Their hearts felt more at ease now.

"Poppy, that’s her nickname," said Calix smilingly, joy lacing his voice as he recalled his daughter, "She’s among the youngest at the orphanage but, even the older children listen to her well."

Old Madam Xu quietly listened to Calix talking about Calliope. Her ears were quick to pick up the hints of delight in her second grandson’s tone, expressing his inner bliss.

"That nickname suits an adorable child like her," Old Madam Xu raised her brows, once again her gaze softening, "Fortunately, you two get to meet her again."

Old Madam Xu was thoroughly surprised by the event unfolding today. At the same time, she was pleased because Calix and Leslie chose to be truthful to her instead of hiding the matter longer.

The choice was in their hands. Even if the spouses decided to hold the secret longer, Old Madam Xu understood she had to respect their preference.

Certainly, this secret was not something easy to share even with their closest family.

"Haa... Your old grandmother here has lived long enough to witness everything. I woke up like usual this morning ah. I didn’t expect to learn something like this from you two."

Shaking her head lightly, once again Old Madam Xu sighed. Wonder flooded her heart as she was reminded of the unforeseen fate linking Calix and Leslie.

Old Madam Xu traced her gaze from Calliope’s photo back to Calix and Leslie. Despite being genuinely happy upon this discovery, a slight regret still tainted the old lady’s heart.

"If only we learned about this sooner..." Old Madam Xu ran one of her fingertips on the phone screen, touching Calliope’s small face, "Leslie and this child... wouldn’t need to suffer longer."

The cruel ways the Li family treated Leslie during her unexpected pregnancy horrified Old Madam Xu. She never expected them to exile the young lady when she was in her most vulnerable state.

Not only that... the Li family forcibly separated Leslie from the newborn child!

Pursing her lips, Old Madam Xu carefully put down the phone. Her heart was torn as she recalled the details Calix shared earlier.

Old Madam Xu extended both limbs toward Leslie. Her action caught the young lady off guard before she understood what the former tried to do.

Releasing her hand from Calix’s grasp, Leslie reached out for Old Madam Xu’s bony hands. She perceived the rubbery feeling of the old lady’s skin, reminding her of the years the latter had weathered during her long life.

"Grandma... please, don’t be sad..." whispered Leslie, understanding what kind of regrets Old Madam Xu bore in her old heart, "None of this is... anyone’s fault... Not Calix’s nor yours..."

If she wanted to blame someone, that person would be the mastermind who crafted the sinister event. She also condemned Old Madam Li and the ones who blindly followed her orders.

Including Rowan and Bianca who stood in silence when Charlene suffered the injustices.

Blinking, Leslie sensed hot tears pooling in her eyes. She pressed her lips tight, trying to hold back the sorrow stemming from Charlene’s tormentous memories.

"I’m already happy and... grateful for Calix and your... acceptance... When I asked him... to look for the child... I was prepared for him... to know the truth... I thought you and him... would resent me..."

Calix informed Old Madam Xu about Leslie’s request to find a child named Calliope. He only changed the story a little, saying she asked about it after she regained consciousness.

At the same time, Calix mentioned how both he and Leslie suspected one another. They were not sober when that night happened.

Coupled with the drug abuse done by the perpetrator, they were not aware of each other’s identities.

"Leslie, don’t say that.." Old Madam Xu tightened their hands’ grasp, trying to reassure the young lady, "We won’t ever resent you. In fact, we should be thankful. You’ve done so well, my dear."

Old Madam Xu couldn’t imagine the horror Leslie had to endure during her captivity done by her own family. The young lady was coerced to go through her pregnancy without much support.

Only to be forcibly separated from her child right after giving birth.

Old Madam Xu took one of her hands from holding Leslie’s. Hovering her palm over the young lady’s face, she carefully pressed her thumb under the latter’s eyes.

A crystal dropped, seeping under the old lady’s touch.

"S-sorry! Grandma, sorry... I didn’t mean to cry... sorry..."

Leslie blinked her eyes repeatedly in a quick motion, surprised to learn tears had started rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t even realize when it began.

"What are you sorry for?"

Chuckling, Old Madam Xu rose from her seat, moving closer to Leslie. Under the latter’s surprised gaze, she tightly hugged the young lady in the wheelchair.

"Leslie, you’ve done so well until now. You really do."

"Grandma..."

Leslie tried to speak but, no words came out. Sobbing, she returned Old Madam Xu’s hug. The old lady’s scent brought a rush of memories from her previous life.

Of her beloved maternal grandmother, the one who kept standing by her side when her own parents failed her.

The old lady’s mellow tone continued whispering by her ears.

"Calix and I couldn’t be there for you when you needed support. You’ve endured everything so well. Loosen your guard, my dear. Let us take care of you and Calliope."

Circumstances forced her to be strong. Now, it was time for her tired heart and battered soul to rest.