Nick clearly didn’t believe her excuse.
After two years, he had come to understand her somewhat.
“Have a candy. The taste might briefly make you forget your worries,” Nick said, as if coaxing a child.
Callie couldn’t help but laugh, “I’m not a child…”
Nick stared intently at Callie on the screen. Her every expression was so captivating to him that he lost himself for a moment.
Callie noticed his unusual behavior and quickly found an excuse, “You must have work to do, let’s talk later.”
She couldn’t reciprocate Nick’s enthusiasm and had to firmly state her position.
Nick understood.
After some small talk, they ended the call.
Callie gripped her phone tightly and looked out the window. That car seemed to be fixated on her, never leaving. She drew the curtains, blocking out all view.
Lying in bed, Callie tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Nelson…
Oh-
Callie, you’re hopeless.
That night, Callie didn’t sleep at all.
The next day, Callie got up early and opened the curtains. The familiar car was still there. Nelson had stayed there all night without sleeping. Callie didn’t want to face him.
She pretended not to see him.
In the room, Grape turned over and couldn’t find his mom, becoming anxious and crying out, “Mommy-”
Hearing the cry, Callie hurriedly opened the door. “Grape-”
The moment Grape saw Callie, her crying stopped abruptly. She looked at Callie through tear-filled eyes and then reached out her hands; “Hug.”
“Good morning, baby.”
Callie hugged Grape and kissed his cheek.
Today was the second day of the Golden Key competition, and Callie had work to do. She had no choice but to take Grape to daycare.
“Grape, you have to listen to the teacher at kindergarten… You can’t leave without Mommy’s permission like yesterday… Mommy will be worried…”
Grape nodded understandingly, “I know, Mommy.”
Callie felt very relieved.
Holding Grape, Callie walked out. Nelson saw them and struggled to restrain himself from approaching. His eyes followed her closely, afraid she would disappear again.
He watched as Callie placed Grape in the child seat and then drove away.
Nelson quickly followed.
He kept a certain distance from Callie’s car. Callie noticed him but chose to ignore his presence…
Soon, Callie arrived at the daycare.
A teacher came out to greet them shortly after.
Because of what happened yesterday, Callie made a point of having a talk with the teacher. After a short conversation, Callie was about to take her leave.
However, after taking a few steps, she stopped, turned back, and looked in Nelson’s direction. Their eyes met through the car window. Nelson could still feel the distance in her gaze.
Callie turned around decisively without greeting Nelson and left.
…
Early in the morning, Anthony received an important call from home.
After listening to the content, Anthony’s face changed dramatically, “Are you serious?”
Whatever the other person said, the usually composed Anthony lost his calm and immediately said, “No matter what, stabilize the situation first. I’ll handle it when I get back.”
After hanging up, Anthony instructed his assistant on some tasks and booked the earliest flight back home.