Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 263: The Day of Revelation

Chapter 263: The Day of Revelation

The calm morning sky on the next day was a stark contrast to Leslie and Calix’s inner turmoil. The closer the time to meet Calliope, the tenser their nerves became.

Both Calix and Leslie tried to soothe their worry but, none of their attempts succeeded. Losing their appetite, they barely touched the breakfast prepared by the chef.

"Should we go there earlier?" asked Calix quietly as he moved his eyes from the bowl of porridge to Leslie.

"...let’s. I can’t stand waiting... anymore."

Agreeing with Leslie, Calix told Logan to drive them to the orphanage. They were half an hour earlier than the expected departing time. Calix didn’t forget to inform Director Li about the slight change.

Neither Calix nor Leslie talked much during the ride. Logan and Mrs. An also didn’t ask the spouses anything, understanding this was a critical moment for Calix and Leslie.

By now, everyone who followed Calix and Leslie to Frostwich Town had already learned the gist of the situation. They also swore to keep everything related to Calliope secret.

Old Madam Xu and Andrian only selected the ones they trusted the most to be on Calix’s entourage.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Xu."

Director Li smilingly welcomed Leslie and Calix’s return to the care home while noticing their nervous countenances. She completely understood the reason behind the spouses’ anxious looks.

Their reaction was fully foreseen. She would feel the same way if she was ever in their shoes.

"Good morning, Director Li..."

Leslie returned the older woman’s greeting. She glanced at Calix who had just done helping her to the wheelchair.

"Director Li, thank you for having us again today," replied Calix, sensing the tautness in his voice. He hesitantly asked, "Is Calliope inside? Is she waiting for us?"

Calliope had already known about Calix and Leslie coming to the orphanage this morning. However, the little girl was still kept in the dark about the reason behind the spouses’ visit.

Surely, she wouldn’t see anything of it coming.

Softening her smile, understanding flickered in Director Li’s eyes. She gestured toward the orphanage building, saying, "Calliope is still in her room. Let’s head to my office first. I’ll ask someone to get her."

"Thank you, Director Li."

Looking at Leslie, Calix reached out for one of her shoulders. She tilted her chin up, shifting her gaze from Director Li to the man. His touch relayed his wish to comfort her despite being nervous himself.

Leslie raised one hand, placing her palm over the back of Calix’s hand. She sensed him flinching for a second before it changed to him tightening his grasp on her shoulder.

"Calix, let’s go inside... everything will be fine..." whispered Leslie, "We’re in this together..."

Calix blinked, taking in the uneasy look on Leslie’s countenance. He believed he also appeared the same in her eyes.

Thinning his lips into a straight line, Calix hummed, "Yes."

Following Director Li, Calix pushed Leslie’s wheelchair through the main entrance of the orphanage. The three of them left Logan and Mrs. An outdoors alongside a group of children who happily spent their Saturday morning playing.

Before bringing Calix and Leslie into the office, Director Li tasked one of the caretakers to go and get Calliope from her room. The young woman swiftly abid to the director’s request.

Once inside, Calix helped Leslie to sit on the two-seater couch. He placed the wheelchair just right next to it.

"I’ll prepare some tea for you, Mr. and Mrs. Xu," Director Li headed toward the small pantry of her office, "Or, do you guys prefer coffee?"

"Anything is fine, Director Li," responded Calix on his and Leslie’s behalf, "Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Letting the spouses calm down between themselves, Director Li started to boil some water in the electrical heater. She picked one of the tea leaves cans lining neatly on the small cabinet.

"Do you want sugar in your tea?" asked Director Li while brewing the tea. She cast a look at Calix and Leslie whose glum expressions didn’t show any slight improvement.

"Yes, please..." Leslie thanked Director Li with a tiny smile, "In my husband’s tea too..."

Calix simply nodded without looking at Director Li. His eyes were fixated on the closed door of the office, waiting for Calliope’s appearance at any moment.

"...?!"

Calix unconsciously straightened his back, catching Leslie’s attention. They heard the familiar echoes of Calliope’s footsteps walking down the hallway, followed by her singing.

Without saying anything, Leslie covered one of Calix’s hands with hers. He reacted by overturning his broad palm before grasping her entire hand into his.

Both of them perceived the slight coolness of each other’s touch – stemming from the peak of their worry.

Knock! Knock!

The caretaker opened the door after two knocks, appearing there with Calliope who stood below her waist. The little one didn’t forget to bring along her favorite companion, the toy Mimo.

"Director Li, Calliope is here," said the caretaker after acknowledging Calix and Leslie with a nod.

"Thank you. You may leave, Katie."

"Auntie, Uncle~ Granny too! Good morning~"

Calliope deng deng deng ran on her short legs, heading to where Leslie and Calix sat. Her round eyes glimmered with some kind of anticipation. She wore an oversized pink tiered dress, the hem reaching below her knees.

"Good morning, Poppy..." Leslie softened her smile, not wanting to show any tension to the little girl, "What did you eat... this morning? Your... favorite food?"

"Poppy had some buns and porridge," replied Calliope swiftly, "Yummy ones! Auntie and Uncle eat too?"

"Hehe, yes..."

Calliope paused between the couch occupied by the spouses and the empty one on the opposite. Calix, Leslie and Director Li could clearly see what she was confused about.

The little girl seemed to want to sit together with the Xu spouses but, Director Li’s words hindered her from achieving what she wished for.

"Poppy, come sit with Granny," said Director Li while bringing a tray of tea to the coffee table, "We have something to talk about with you."

"Okay..."

Calliope pouted slightly, disappointed because she couldn’t sit with Leslie and Calix. After she climbed on the couch opposite them, she asked, "What will we play today?"

Calix stiffly shifted his eyes to Leslie. Under her reassuring gaze, he nodded once before focusing again on Calliope.

"We have something important to tell you, Poppy."

Something that would change her life.