Chapter 473

Grace used her last bit of strength to sneer at Caleb.

"Talk!" Caleb tightened his grip on her neck, his fingers cracking. "Answer me! If you don't tell me, I'll find out myself!"

Grace knew hiding the truth was pointless now. She decided to use it against Caleb.

"Candy isn't your daughter, Caleb... You think you're smart, but I've fooled you for four years... How does it feel? Not so good, right?"

Caleb's heart ached. Silence filled the room. Finding out his beloved daughter wasn't his was a huge blow. He let go, stepping back in shock.

Grace coughed, tears streaming down her face. Seeing Caleb devastated amused her. It was worth it for that expression.

"What? Didn't expect that? Caleb, this is your payback."

Caleb's eyes were filled with pain, and he stayed silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke. "Candy is my daughter, and that won't change because of a woman like you."

Grace's heart tightened, feeling a mix of emotions-tenderness and irony. No man could tolerate this, especially Caleb. His love for Candy was deeper than she thought. If only he had loved her even a little, things wouldn't have ended like this.

Their marriage started with her love for him, but he didn't love her back. Being loved by Caleb was a blessing, which made her insanely jealous of Susan.

Caleb's eyes turned sharp again. Grace shivered. His gaze was terrifying. Two bodyguards rushed in, dragging Grace to the table, forcing her to sit. An assistant brought a document.

Grace panicked. "I won't sign, Caleb, I won't sign." The assistant forced a pen into her hand, making her sign.

"Let go of me. I won't sign. Caleb, this is illegal. The court won't recognize it. Let go of me."

The assistant pressed her hand to sign the document. "Mr. Eilish, it's signed."

Caleb glanced at it. "Caleb, you can't force me to divorce. This is forgery. I'll sue you. I'll expose you to the world!"

Caleb's face was cold. "This is the last time, for Candy's sake, that I'll spare your life. From today on, you have nothing to do with me or Candy."

"Caleb, Caleb... you're not heartless. Give me back my daughter."

Grace chased after him, only to be kicked away. She screamed and fell, seeing Sammy lying in a pool of blood, one eye gouged out.

"Ah-" Grace screamed.

In the middle of the night, Candy felt someone sitting by her bed and opened her eyes.

"Daddy?" She felt at ease. Thank goodness it wasn't Mommy.

"Did I wake you?" Caleb lovingly stroked Candy's face. Sitting by the bed earlier, he had thought a lot, never considering giving up on Candy. He just needed time to process it.

After thinking it over, Caleb decided Candy was his daughter, his treasure, and nothing would change that. With his mind made up, there was no more inner conflict.

"Daddy, why are you frowning?" Candy reached out her tiny hand to smooth Caleb's brow. "I want Daddy to be happy every day."

"With you here, Daddy is very happy."

"I'm happy too." Candy smiled, hugging Caleb's neck. "Daddy, I love you."

"I love you too, Candy."

The next night, Susan woke up suddenly, checked her phone, and saw no messages from Caleb. She couldn't deny she was waiting for him to reach out. She wondered how things were with Grace and Sammy.

Feeling restless, Susan got up to use the bathroom and noticed a figure at the door. She opened it to find Caleb standing by the window. Their eyes met.

"You scared me." Susan patted her chest. "How long have you been standing there?"

"I don't know," Caleb murmured, lost in thought.

The spring night was chilly. Susan hesitated, then said, "Don't stand there, come in."

"Thank you." Caleb's eyes showed gratitude. Only she could comfort him. They sat in silence for a while.

Susan finally asked, "How did it go... with that matter?"

"She signed the divorce agreement."

Susan's heart skipped a beat. He was now single. She felt a sense of relief but also anxiety. Would he cling to her more now?

"Susan," Caleb said, looking at her calmly. "Candy is not my biological daughter."

Susan was shocked but saw his calm expression.

"But that doesn't change my love for her," Caleb said. "In my heart, she's my most beloved daughter."

Susan's emotions were in turmoil. As a mother, she could empathize with him. She said nothing. Sometimes, words were unnecessary.

"Can I hug you?" Caleb asked, showing a vulnerability Susan had never seen before.

Her heart softened but she still refused, "No."

"How heartless..." Caleb smiled. He lowered his head.

After a while, Susan's legs appeared in his line of sight. Then, she gently hugged him. Her breath was light, pleasant, and warm.

Susan hugged him briefly, then tried to pull away, but Caleb held her tightly.

"Caleb..." Susan's heart skipped a beat.

"Having you is wonderful."

These words melted Susan's resistance. She felt pity for Caleb. He must be in so much pain. No matter how strong a man was, there were moments of vulnerability.

And in such moments, the one who can offer comfort is often the woman he loves. Love had power. A hug, silent companionship, was power.

No matter the past or the future, at least in this moment, Susan had no strength to reject Caleb, nor did she want to.