Chapter 464
Grace didn't expect Caleb to step back instead of catching her.
By the time she realized and tried to stop herself, it was too late. She fell, hit her head on the nightstand, and almost broke her arm.
The impact left her dizzy and seeing stars.
"Caleb, you..."
Caleb looked down at her coldly. "What now? Accusing me of domestic violence again?"
His sarcasm cut deep.
"You-" Grace was almost faint with anger.
Caleb stepped over her without another word.
The hallway was eerily silent.
Hospitals always felt lifeless, colder than anywhere else, chilling to the bone.
Caleb's mood was the opposite-agitated, like a fire burning inside him.
He knew what that fire was.
The glass window reflected his image, but he saw Susan, leaning against his reflection. Her eyes were red, her expression sorrowful.
Caleb's heart ached.
He took out his phone, staring at it for a long time, but never made the call.
Caleb's thumb rubbed the screen, almost wearing it down.
Susan...
Caleb's mood was as dark as the night outside the window.
10:45 PM.
When Caleb came to his senses, the call had already gone through.
But before he could get nervous, it was hung up.
So decisively, like a spam call.
Caleb gave a bitter smile.
He shouldn't disturb her, he thought, but his fingers disobeyed and pressed the button again. This time, before he could bring the phone to his ear, the screen showed it had been cut off again.
Caleb's mood was like being soaked in the endless night.
Unwilling to give up, he dialed once more.
Susan probably wouldn't answer.
But sometimes, things happen unexpectedly. When the call connected, he eagerly brought it to his ear. "You answered."
"I answered to tell you to stop calling." Her voice was low and warning.
"Sorry for disturbing your rest."
"You knew and still called?"
Caleb looked out at the dark, moonless night sky, not even a single star. It would be cloudy tomorrow.
Caleb gave a bitter smile. "I miss you."
The other side was silent. In the extreme quiet, he could hear Susan's light breathing.
Even just hearing Susan's breathing made him feel content.
"I'm hanging up."
"Candy fell down the stairs..."
"Is she okay?" she asked calmly.
Susan still cared.
Caleb knew she was kind-hearted.
Caleb's smile faded slightly, just as he was about to answer.
"Caleb, Candy woke up and is looking for you..." Grace's sweet voice called out, particularly intimate.
The call was immediately cut off.
Caleb frowned, turning to glare at Grace in displeasure.
That face was beautiful, but he saw a demon.
"Should I tell Candy you're too busy talking to that woman to spend time with her?"
Caleb walked into the hospital room without a word.
Grace rolled her eyes.
"Why are you awake?" Caleb walked to the bed.
Candy usually slept soundly, never waking up once she was asleep.
"I... I..." Candy stammered, glancing timidly at Grace.
"Why else? She feels insecure. Right, Candy?"
Candy bit her lip, hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. "I was afraid I wouldn't see Daddy." She didn't dare say it was Mommy who woke her up.
Guilt immediately replaced Caleb's suspicion about Candy's unusual behavior. "I won't leave. I just went out to make a call."
"Want to tell Candy who you were calling?" Grace asked, chuckling.
Caleb shot her a warning look. That smug face made him want to strangle her.
"Daddy, you won't leave me, right?" Candy's big, round eyes were slightly red, looking at him pitifully.
"No. Never," Caleb said bitterly.
Morning.
"Candy, Candy..."
Candy groggily opened her eyes. Seeing Grace, she tried to hide under the covers.
Grace grabbed her hand, speaking softly, "Are you still mad at Mommy?"
Candy pressed her lips together, not speaking.
"I'm sorry, Mommy was too angry that day and yelled at you. Mommy didn't mean to push you. Do you remember? You kept running, and Mommy was worried you'd fall, so I chased you, and you fell down the stairs yourself."
But Candy clearly remembered it was Mommy who pushed her.
Candy, like a wounded little animal, didn't trust her.
"Mommy has always loved you, right?"
After a while, Candy slowly nodded under Grace's gentle gaze.
It used to be good, but Mommy had been so mean lately, always yelling at her.
"Mommy knew you were sensible." Grace smiled, stroking her hair. "Mommy loves you the most. I'm sorry for what happened before. Can you forgive Mommy?"
Candy nodded kindly.
"Good girl. Don't tell Daddy about it, okay?"
"Okay."
"We'll keep Daddy with us." Grace extended her finger.
Candy hesitated, then hooked her little finger with hers.
"Good girl."
'Caleb, I won't let you escape from my grasp.'
The next day at the hospital.
Bathroom.
Caleb was washing under the shower.
His hands pushed back his hair, revealing a handsome, chiseled face.
The lines of his profile, the tight line of his lips, were like a Greek god.
Water droplets hit his muscular chest, sliding down his abs.
Caleb frowned, letting the hot water wash away his troubles, when suddenly a hand hugged him from behind.
His eyes snapped open like a raptor's, and he pulled the hand away.
Grace stood naked in front of him, her eyes burning. Instead of being angry, she smiled seductively. "Why such a big reaction? It's normal for a couple to shower together."
She tried to wrap her arms around his neck, but Caleb pushed her away without mercy.
Grace, undeterred, used all her strength to cling to him, trying to kiss him, muttering resentfully, "How am I worse than that bitch?"
"Why can't I?"
"How do you know I can't please you better than that woman?"
Her pestering completely exhausted Caleb's patience. He shoved her away. "Stop humiliating yourself."
"You hit me again!"
"Caleb, are you even a man?" Grace was furious. "Are you impotent?"
She deliberately provoked him, but Caleb was disdainful, looking at her as if she were a filthy cockroach.
"You disgust me. I won't compare you to Susan because you're not even worthy of comparison."
"I'm prettier than her, have a better body, and I'm a rich heiress. What is she? Do you think she's waiting for you? She probably doesn't even know how many men she's been with..."
Caleb looked down at her raging on the floor, coldly warning, "If you don't watch your mouth, I'll sew it shut for you."
"And sign the divorce papers, or you'll regret not doing it now."
"You can kill me, but I won't sign. Give up."
Grace pounded the floor in hatred.
She had already stripped to seduce him, but Caleb loathed her so much. Did she have to drug him?