Chapter 18
Callie pretended not to hear Ethan. Holding the doll, she said to Faith, “Mom, let’s go.”
“I’ll drive you home,” Ethan offered.
Faith rejected him again, “It’s fine. We’ll call a cab.”
He did not insist and watched as they left.
The next morning, Ethan showed up at the hotel lobby with a fresh bouquet and some snacks, waiting for Faith and Callie. “Morning! Are you free today? Let’s have breakfast.”
“I’m sorry. I’m busy today,” Faith turned down Ethan’s suggestion and dragged Callie along.
As usual, Ethan did not force Faith to bend to his will. He watched the mother and daughter exit the hotel.
He knew very well that Faith wouldn’t forgive him easily, but he did not feel discouraged; he wasn’t about to give up.
Instead, he showed up daily at the hotel to wait for Faith and Callie. Every time, he brought along various gifts and goodies, firmly believing that there must be something they liked.
Faith would turn down his gesture each time, but Callie was starting to be swayed.
“Mom, Uncle Ethan is here again.” Callie couldn’t hide her excitement when she saw Ethan with a huge teddy bear. “That bear is bigger than you, Mom.” “Yeah,” Faith replied absentmindedly.
Ethan approached them and placed the teddy bear in front of them. “Morning, Faith. Morning, Callie.”
“Uncle Ethan, is this for me?” Callie caressed the teddy bear with love.
“Of course! Inside the bear are some gifts I bought for you.” Ethan smiled. “May I invite you for a day of fun at the theme park? There’s a panda exhibition today. Would you like to see it?”
Callie turned to Faith. “Mom, can I go?”
“Do you really want to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright.” Faith nodded. She asked Ethan, “Mr. Hale, can I trust you still?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” He was taken aback.
“I can’t go with you because I have a meeting today. I hope you don’t leave her behind again,” Faith cautioned him with a serious face. She did not want Callie hurt again.
“I’m sorry.” Ethan stared at his feet. “I swear I will never leave Callie behind.”
Faith reminded Callie, “Callie, take good care of yourself. Call me or the police if something happens.”
Her words drove a knife through Ethan’s heart. He felt a weight on his chest.
He promised, “Don’t worry. I will take good care of her.”
“Thanks, then.”
Faith watched as Callie and Ethan got into the car. Then, she sent Callie a message, reminding her to take care of herself.
Sitting in Ethan’s car, Callie replied to Faith through her smartwatch.
“Mom, don’t worry. I believe Uncle Ethan won’t leave me behind again.” As long as she didn’t call him Dad, he wouldn’t get upset.
“Callie, I’m sorry.”
“Uncle Ethan, you don’t have to keep apologizing. You’ve done it once, and that’s enough. If the other person doesn’t accept it, saying it a thousand times won’t make a difference.”
Ethan fell silent at her words.
She was right. The mistakes he had made couldn’t be undone with a simple apology.
If they refused to forgive him, no amount of apologies would change that.
He would prove, through his actions, that he truly regretted his mistakes.
For the first time, Ethan took Callie to a theme park. He bought her balloons, cotton candy, and ice cream. He took her on the kiddie roller coaster and the carousel.
Callie laughed from morning till night.
Chapter 18
She was so exhausted on the way back to the hotel that she fell asleep.
Faith was waiting for Callie in the lobby. When she saw Ethan carrying the sleeping Callie, she was momentarily dazed, as if it was just an illusion. “Callie was tired from playing. She fell asleep after dinner.“.
“Thank you. Hand her to me,” Faith said, pulling herself together, her tone distant.
Ethan avoided her outstretched hands. “I’ll take her upstairs. I don’t want to wake her.” Faith didn’t insist and led Ethan back to the room.
Ethan gently laid Callie on the bed. He carefully removed her shoes and tucked her in.
Faith’s heart ached. He must have learned all these tips while taking care of Daniel. One could tell that he had tried to be a good father to Daniel. She had heard about what happened with Nicole. If Nicole hadn’t made that terrible mistake, she and Ethan would probably be married by now.
