Chapter 462
Aidan didn't expect Grace to get this upset!
He felt a bit guilty but still snapped back. "Taking care of kids is a woman's job, and you don't even work. Caleb has to support the family..."
"Support the family? He's not going to the company; he's seeing that mistress, and you all know it. None of you are good people, and you dare blame me."
Aidan was shaking with anger. "Isn't causing a city-wide scandal enough for you?"
"I want to make a huge scene, expose this cheating scumbag, and ruin the Eilish family's reputation!"
Aidan raised his hand, but Grace fearlessly lifted her face, daring him.
"What? You want to hit me? Go ahead! Hit me! Tomorrow, the global media will know you hit me, and the Eilish family will be known as violent!"
Aidan was so angry he felt like his liver would burst.
Unable to out-argue Grace, he turned his anger on Caleb. "Look at the mess you've caused, you deal with it!"
"Stop arguing, both of you."
The door to the operating room opened.
"Doctor, how is my granddaughter?" Mia asked anxiously.
"I've examined her. She didn't hit her head and isn't seriously injured, just some bruises. She'll be fine after a few days of rest. But be especially careful with her safety; not every time will be this lucky."
"Thank God for His protection."
The heavy weight in Caleb's heart lifted a bit, but his brow remained furrowed.
"If anything happens to Candy, I won't let you off!" Grace said hatefully.
"How can you say that? Candy is my granddaughter too; we are family."
"Damn family!" Grace snapped. "Candy kept demanding to see Caleb and fell down the stairs. It's all his fault!"
"This is partly your fault too. If you hadn't made such a fuss, it wouldn't have come to this. Both of you are responsible."
"He cheated, and you blame me? Don't push me too far."
"Stop arguing. Since Candy is fine, let's go home. Too many people will disturb her rest. Aidan, let's go. Come on." Mia pulled Aidan away.
Candy was getting an IV.
Her pale little face looked almost transparent.
Caleb stood by the bed, feeling a heavy weight on his chest.
Grace mocked him, "Are you satisfied with this outcome?"
"Caleb, I know you don't like me, but you claim to love your daughter and yet won't give up your mistress for her. Is this your so-called fatherly love? You're a selfish jerk, unfit to be a father. How dare you fight for custody?"
Caleb stayed silent.
He knew he was at fault. He fought for custody to prevent Candy from becoming as extreme as Grace. But he was the root cause. Grace was right; he had no right.
Taking Candy from Grace and giving her to Susan was unfair to all three of them. It was a selfish decision.
Should he really give up custody of Candy?
Caleb didn't sleep all night.
The sky brightened.
Candy woke up, groggily seeing Caleb by the bed, and tears fell. "Dad... Daddy..."
"Candy." Caleb quickly held her hand.
"Daddy..."
"Does it hurt? Do you need a doctor?"
Candy shook her head.
"Daddy... I missed you so much... Do you really not want me anymore?"
"Daddy..."
"Daddy would never abandon you." Caleb's heart ached with guilt.
"But Mommy said Daddy doesn't want us anymore. Daddy, please come back. Since you left, Mommy has become..."
"Candy."
Grace rushed in, and Candy's eyes showed fear as she shrank back.
Grace grabbed Candy's hand from Caleb's, anxiously asking, "Does it still hurt? Is your head dizzy? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"I... I'm fine... Mommy..." Candy answered nervously.
Caleb noticed Candy's nervous look but thought she was just scared.
Candy pulled her hand back and held Caleb's tighter. "Daddy, I don't like being in the hospital. You'll stay with me, right?"
Caleb nodded without hesitation.
"Okay, then you can't leave me these days. I need to see you every time I wake up. Otherwise, I will be very disappointed and scared..." Her little face trembled.
"Alright, I promise you."
Grace suddenly thought, 'Even if I can't have your heart, keeping you here is good enough. At least you'll be away from her.'
Dusk.
The sky outside glowed.
In the backlit hallway, Caleb's tall frame stood like a slender crane.
He was softly giving work instructions, making each decision decisively.
Grace looked at his impressive back, even his fingers were beautiful, long and well-defined.
His deep voice was moving.
No one could resist such a man. Even Grace, who had many suitors, couldn't.
Four years ago, before Susan appeared, Caleb didn't hate Grace so much. They still had a few intimate moments a year. Unlike these past few years, he wouldn't even touch her.
Even though Grace had Sammy as a lover, after each encounter, she only felt a brief satisfaction. What lingered was an endless void and self-disgust.
Sammy and Caleb were worlds apart, one like royalty, the other like a rough gardener.
If only Caleb loved her, even just a little, they could have been a happy family.
'Susan, you're such a bitch,' she muttered under her breath.
Grace still couldn't understand why she lost to such a woman. Losing to Susan was unbearable.
Despite countless disappointments, Grace still wanted Caleb, wanted him desperately.
Caleb finished his call, turned to see Grace, and walked indifferently towards the ward as if she were air.
"If you don't want to stay, you can leave." Grace just wanted to provoke him.
Caleb didn't stop. "I promised Candy..."
"Like you keep your promises. Aren't you ashamed? I'm embarrassed for you. Thinking about you touching my daughter with the same hands you touched that mistress and your illegitimate child, do you know how disgusted I am?"
Caleb glanced at her coolly, his face calm, but his voice slow and meaningful. "I know what it feels like to be disgusted."