Chapter 469
Dusk.
Candy woke up from a nightmare and saw Grace, making her back away in fear. "Where's Daddy?" she asked.
"What's wrong? Isn't Mommy enough?" Grace smiled gently.
Candy curled up, hugging her knees.
"Does your face still hurt? Let Mommy see."
Before Grace could touch her, Candy moved away. "I want Daddy."
Grace frowned but stayed calm. "He's not home. He doesn't want you anymore."
"Daddy would never abandon me!" Candy shouted.
"Oh, Candy, you're so naive. He has a son now. After the divorce, you belong to me. Even your grandparents only want that boy. They don't want you."
"No, that's not true... Daddy, Grandpa, and Grandma love me. They wouldn't abandon me!" Candy shook her head. "I want Daddy, not Mommy."
"Why don't you want Mommy?"
"Mommy hits me. It hurts," Candy cried.
"Didn't Mommy tell you? I hit you to keep Daddy around. See, he stayed with you when you were hurt."
Candy shook her head. "It hurts! I don't like Mommy, I hate Mommy, I'm scared of Mommy!"
"I want to find Daddy."
Candy tried to run, but Grace grabbed her. "You're not allowed to go."
This reminded Candy of when Grace pushed her down the stairs. She struggled more fiercely.
"Let go of me; I want Daddy."
"I hate Mommy!"
Candy's shouting and struggling enraged Grace. She slapped Candy across the face.
Candy fell, dizzy, and saw stars.
"He doesn't want you, and you still want him? Are you that pathetic?"
"He doesn't want me, and now you don't want me?" Grace's face twisted with rage.
"Mommy, don't hit me, please..." Candy trembled.
"I won't let your Daddy leave me, and I won't let you abandon me. Even if I die, I'll drag you all down with me. We'll never be apart!"
She choked Candy in anger.
"Stop!" Caleb burst in and yanked Grace away.
Grace fell, almost breaking her pelvis.
"Daddy." Candy rushed into Caleb's arms.
"Grace, I can't believe you'd abuse your own daughter."
"When did I ever abuse her? She was crying for you, and I was afraid she'd get hurt again."
"Still lying? I saw everything on the surveillance."
Grace's face changed. "Caleb, you installed cameras? How despicable."
"If I hadn't, how would I know how vicious you are?" Caleb's teeth chattered with anger.
He had suspected Grace before but couldn't believe she could be so cruel to her own daughter. Seeing it on the surveillance made his blood run cold and his anger boil over.
If Candy hadn't been there, he might have killed her.
"I won't let you see Candy ever again!" Caleb said, carrying Candy out.
"Don't go; give Candy back to me." Grace lunged for Candy, but Caleb pushed her away.
She chased them to the top of the stairs. "Caleb..."
"Get lost!" Caleb kicked her away.
Grace was in so much pain she couldn't get up.
"Come back here."
"Candy!"
"Caleb!"
"Caleb, I'll kill you, I'll kill you!"
At the Eilish estate, the doctor found many bruises on Candy's body from pinching.
"Oh my God, how insidious. I never thought Grace could be so cruel. Isn't she afraid of retribution?" Mia gasped. "Thank goodness you found out, or who knows how much more Candy would have suffered."
"How dare she hit my granddaughter? I'll skin her alive!" Aidan cursed.
"Caleb, I support your divorce. When are you going to do it? Hurry up and get it done; don't let that crazy woman near Candy again," Mia urged.
Aidan agreed, "Yes, hurry up and divorce her. If Grace's family dares to make trouble, we'll make sure they pay for it!"
"I gave her five days. If she doesn't sign within five days, I'll handle it my way," Caleb said coldly.
Mia quietly called Caleb into the hallway. "Caleb, you really love that Susan, don't you?"
"Yes, I love her more than my own life," Caleb replied. "I hid the fact that I had a fiancée from her and hurt her. She never asked for compensation; she's not materialistic. She's independent, strong, and kind. She deserves my love, and I'm not worthy of her."
"I don't know her, so I can't judge. But I trust your judgment. If you're so devoted to her, she must have qualities worth loving. Things have come to this point; I won't oppose you anymore. If you want to marry her, then go ahead. I don't care what others think; I care about my son's happiness."
"And your father, he doesn't seem as opposed as he used to be. I'll work on him to accept Susan sooner. But... we can't neglect Candy. Can Susan accept her?"
"I believe she will."
Caleb wouldn't demand it, but he trusted Susan's character.
"Good, that's settled then," Mia nodded. "Candy will stay with us for now. Don't worry, we'll take good care of her. You focus on winning Susan back. I'm just looking forward to having grandchildren to enjoy my old age."
"Thank you, Mom."
"No need to thank me. We're family. If you're happy, we're all happy."
Meanwhile, Grace was in the children's room, smashing everything. She even tore Candy's comics to shreds. The room looked like a tornado had hit it.
The servants stood trembling at the door, too scared to go in.
"Candy... Candy, I want Candy..." Grace muttered to herself, "Candy..."
"Caleb, I won't let you take Candy away."
Grace swore, "Caleb, I'll kill you and that bitch."