Callie froze in her tracks, unable to move another inch. The air was saturated with the familiar aroma of sandalwood. A wave of deja-vu washed over her, and in an instant, she knew. It was Nelson. There was no mistaking it.
Callie’s eyes reddened slightly. She had imagined their reunion hundreds, even thousands of times. But she never thought it would be like this.
“Callie, you finally came…” A slightly hoarse voice reached her ears. Though his back was to her, he seemed certain it was her.
Callie’s hands clenched silently at her sides. She struggled to control her emotions and simply asked, “Where is Grape? Where did you take her?”
Nelson turned around, their eyes meeting. Though only a few dozen meters apart, it felt like an unbridgeable chasm lay between them. Two years had passed. Some things seemed to have changed, yet others had not.
“Grape… who is that?” Nelson found his voice, staring at her, asking directly. Though he had a good guess, he wanted confirmation from her lips.
“Grape is my daughter and has nothing to do with you,” Callie denied outright. Lying left a bitter taste in her mouth, yet she stood firm in her determination. Unbeknownst to her, her words hit Nelson like a thunderbolt, piercing his heart with a sharp pang.
“Really nothing to do with me?” Nelson’s voice choked, his gaze unfocused as he asked. His memory pulled him back to two hours earlier…
“Sir, aren’t you going over?” Anthony had noticed Nelson staring at Grape and couldn’t help but remind him.
Nelson hesitated. He felt his heartbeat falter, a mix of fear and hope. “Do you think she really…” Could she be their daughter? Nelson didn’t finish his sentence.
But Anthony understood his thoughts. He glanced at Grape and said, “Sir, deep down you already know the answer, don’t you?”
Nelson walked up to Grape. At that moment, she was methodically stacking blocks, her serious expression strikingly similar to Nelson’s.
“Grape?” he called softly, afraid to startle her.
Hearing him, Grape looked up. Seeing Nelson, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. “Uncle, what are you doing here?” Her soft voice made Nelson’s heart tremble.
The sense of kinship surged within him, leaving him momentarily at a loss. “Grape, I’m not your uncle; I’m your father.”
Father? Grape’s actions paused as her round eyes blinked in surprise. Her little mouth opened and closed as she said, “Uncle, did you accept my suggestion and agree to be my father?”
Nelson gently shook his head and patted her head. The girl was so adorable it felt like his heart might melt. “Not just being your father; I am your father.”
Grape looked puzzled, clearly not believing him. Though she liked this handsome uncle very much…
As she hesitated, Nelson took out a wallet from his left breast pocket. Inside was a slightly yellowed photo. “This… is a photo from my marriage certificate with your mother.” It was one of the few photos he had found.
For the past two years, he had kept it safe and carried it with him everywhere.