As always, when Nelson wanted to, he could be very charming and attentive, not just with money but in every little detail.
Callie once thought that any other woman who met him would be spoiled beyond measure.
But now he was at a loss, unsure of what to do. His gaze was confused and cautious, unlike before.
On a deep winter night, the sycamore trees outside Paucaster Villa had shed all their leaves, looking desolate under the streetlights. The air was cold and biting.
It was three in the morning. Callie stood outside and knocked on the door.
The bodyguard outside, instead of stopping her, looked pleasantly surprised.
Nelson opened the door. He was still in the same outfit from the afternoon, with stubble on his chin, looking exhausted. But when he saw her, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m here for clues about Reuben.”
The door was half-open, letting in the cold air, which cleared Nelson’s mind.
“I know.” He stepped aside to let her in. “Reuben was last seen with Jaquan’s men. Holly admitted to seeing him.”
Callie walked in, frowning at him.
Nelson quickly added, “She wants to see you.”
Callie closed her eyes, knowing she couldn’t avoid it.
When she opened her eyes, she saw a black computer on the living room table-the one Jamir had given her.
Next to the computer was a phone case that had clearly been opened and examined.
For a moment, Callie felt a pang of guilt.
Nelson showed no emotion as he walked over and explained, “Kieran found it while cleaning up the scene.”
They must have checked everything and discovered she had been eavesdropping on him.
“Does it hurt?” He sat on the carpet and removed the bug from the phone case.
Callie stood still. Nelson hadn’t turned on the heat; it was colder inside than out.
“What?”
“Listening to my conversations with Holly all that time, did it hurt?”
Nelson’s smile was mocking, but there was no anger, only pain and helplessness.
Callie deliberately ignored the bitterness she felt then and turned her head. “No, I just wanted to know your schedule.”
“When did you install it?” Nelson lit a cigarette.
He took a drag, the smoke curling in the air, his eyes clear.
Callie avoided his gaze. “Where’s Holly?”
His eyes remained fixed on her. She had to tell the truth. “At the Oconnor mansion.”
Right after Nelson’s grandfather’s funeral.
Nelson nodded in understanding and said nothing more, continuing to smoke.
Strangely, seeing him silently smoking made Callie’s heart ache.
After finishing his cigarette, he gave her a bitter smile, with a hint of pleading. “I’ll take you to see Holly at dawn. It’s too late now.”
He even explained himself.
Callie found a corner to sit in, hugging her knees. Suddenly she said, “If there had been a moment before when you were willing to explain things to me, we wouldn’t be here now.”
Her words were too real and pierced Nelson’s heart. He finally understood what it meant to regret deeply.
But it was too late; many things never allowed for regret. By the time you realized it, it was already too late.
Callie had taught him a real lesson-what it meant to lose.