Chapter 16
“Sorry, I need to go on stage now.” Faith didn’t answer Ethan.
She merely walked past him and marched onto the stage.
As a company representative, Faith introduced its new product with grace and poise. She gave a professional and skilled presentation.
Ethan watched her shining brightly on stage. His heart was filled with regret.
He had never realized how amazing Faith was.
His long–dead heart began to race. His gaze followed Faith around, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
He wouldn’t give up. He was determined to win back his wife and daughter.
“Thank you, everyone. Feel free to ask me in private if you have any questions.” Faith concluded her presentation by bowing and stepping off the stage.
Callie ran over to her from the side, and Faith held her hand while exchanging pleasantries with the people who approached them.
Ethan stood silently to the side. He dared not disturb them. Only when Faith and Callie were alone did he muster the courage to approach.
“Your speech was excellent. You must be thirsty.” Ethan handed Faith a drink. “It’s a new drink.”
Faith felt a tightness in her chest. She didn’t take the drink but instead walked past him.
“Faith, Callie, would you join me for a meal?” Ethan asked nervously, calling out to them.
“Sorry. This is not a good time,” Faith replied without turning back.
“Faith, don’t turn me down, please,” Ethan pleaded, stepping forward and grabbing her arm.
His eyes were filled with longing.
“Callie, how about coming home with Dad for a meal? Just this once, okay?” He turned to Callie, showing her a loving expression she had never seen before. “I know I was wrong. Can we just have one meal together?”
Callie hesitated. She knew the pain of being rejected.
She looked up at Faith and said softly, “Mom, let’s just have one meal with him.”
“Alright.” Faith couldn’t refuse Callie, who was Ethan’s daughter.
As long as Callie had no objections, Faith would acknowledge him as Callie’s father.
Ethan smiled and reached out to Callie. “Come home with Dad.”
Ethan’s smile stiffened when Callie didn’t respond, but he wasn’t angry. “Let’s go.”
Faith and Caliie sat in the back seat while Ethan drove. Through the rearview mirror, he caught glimpses of the mother and daughter and felt oddly at peace. He couldn’t help but smile.
Callie nestled in Faith’s arms and whispered, “Mom, why has Uncle Ethan changed?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is he really apologizing to us?”
Faith still shook her head. She wasn’t sure what Ethan was up to.
His belated affection was worthless. Even if he truly regretted his actions, there was no chance for them to reconcile, especially with Nicole and her son in the picture.
Faith didn’t believe Ethan would let go of Nicole.
Having a meal together would not change the reality of their relationship.
Ethan brought them back to the villa, which was still decorated the same way as it had been years ago.
“Callie, this is a belated birthday gift from Dad. Open it and see if you like it.”
Ethan had been buying Callie a gift every day, and the spacious living room was now piled high with gift boxes. “Can I open it?”
“Of course. They are all for you,” Ethan said, his heart aching at Callie’s cautious question.
What had he done to his child in the past?
“Callie, I’m sorry. I was wrong before. From now on, you can do whatever you wish. I will be there for you.”
Ethan crouched down. This time, Callie didn’t pull away. He trembled as he hugged her.
“I will always be here for you and treat you right.”
Chapter 16
Callie looked up from Ethan’s embrace, her eyes filled with a faint trace of happiness.
A father’s love was something the six–year–old had always longed for but never received.
Now, she finally felt that love in Ethan’s arms.
Seeing her happiness, Faith couldn’t help but smile. She hoped Ethan would keep up this act and not disappoint Callie again.
“Go ahead and open your gifts. I will make you something to eat.”
Ethan led Callie to the pile of gifts and walked into the kitchen, where he put on an apron. Faith’s heart skipped a beat when she recognized that apron as the one she had always used.
