Chapter 243 The Question of Parenthood
Lucian stared at the one–dollar bill between Calista’s delicate fingers and furrowed his brows.
“Calista, do you think I’m just a glorified delivery guy or something?”
Calista paused briefly before responding her remarks filled with heartfelt sincerity.
“No. Getting something so late would have cost much more. I’m not forking out extra for delivery. Think
of it as a tip from me. It’s my way of saying thanks for going the extra mile.”
Lucian would have preferred Calista’s usual nonchalant behavior. Whenever she responded with such
earnestness, it usually preceded a rejection.
Just as he was about to interrupt, Calista continued, “Well, considering we were divorced and without kids, it’s probably a good idea for us to keep some distance. It wouldn’t be fair to us or our future partners
if we kept getting in each other’s way.
“You’ve already caused me a lot of pain during our marriage, and I wouldn’t want you to do the same to
another woman in your next one,” Calista said, her voice tinged with frustration.
“I’m perplexed why you suddenly seem so attached to me after ignoring me for three years as if I’m the only one for you. But if you could maintain distance for that long, maybe your feelings aren’t as deep as
they appear.”
“Perhaps
that I left you. First, it was Lily, and now it’s me. Don’t waste your energy on re just set
someone who doesn’t genuinely care about you. Appreciate the person right in front of you.”
A guy like Lucian likely had no difficulties drawing admirers, although Calista wasn’t sure if he was seeing
anyone now.
Lucian maintained a cold expression, his emotions and body tensed, teetering on the brink of breaking
down.
“Are you implying that we should have a child?” he asked.
Calista blinked in response. So, everything she had said earlier had simply been dancing around the Issue.
swung the door open, stepped up, and swiftly grabbed the bag Lucian was clutching.
She wouldn’t have bothered with him if he had her documents. Calista had foreseen the result when she
I him, so hearing his voice didn’t take her by surprise.
slipped from Lucian’s grasp and into Calists’s possession, possibly because of her
or his lack of anticipation:
As she was about to enter her house, Lucian abruptly seized her firmly. Although his grasp didn’t
discomfort Calista, it radiated a commanding authority
Lucian pursed his lips, profound emotions churning within him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
It was evident that this marked Lucian’s first genuine apology to someone. He seemed inexperienced,
and his tone was awkward. He resembled a remorseful puppy with his lowered head after misbehaving.
Calista became less assertive in her behavior, and her demeanor softened.
“It’s all in the past now. We should…”
She wanted to suggest that they focus on the future, but Lucian interrupted her, “It’s not about playing games, and it has nothing to do with Lily. Calista, it has always been you.”
Lucian clung to Calista tenaciously as though the mere idea of losing her terrified him. He was unwilling to let go, even as she struggled desperately to break free.
An overwhelming sense of anxiety and urgency consumed him as if he needed to prove, in some way,
that this woman still belonged to him.
However, his efforts to assert control were met with repeated defeat
Calista had trouble believing him, and though she didn’t want to ridicule him, she couldn’t resist asking,” So, how do you explain the three years of zero intimacy during our marriage?”
Besides factors such as sexual dysfunction and a lack of attraction, she found it hard to understand why
a man wouldn’t be intimate with his wife for three years.
After all, most men couldn’t suppress their primal instincts, especially when sharing a bed with a woman
in lightweight pajamas, lack of affection or not.
The idea of Lucian suffering from sexual dysfunction was even harder to grasp.
A man’s physical response was the most direct indicator, and Calista had lost count of the times she had
felt Lucian’s arousal in his lower groin.
As Calista was about to leave, Lucian’s grip on her arm suddenly tightened. GIMI
He besitated, finding himself unable to speak.
Whatever Lucian had in mind mattered little to Calista. The problems in their marriage extended beyond
Maybe their personalities were fundamentally incompatible, and even if they tried to stay together, it wouldn’t yield positive results.
There was no sense in discussing something inconsequential since reconciliation wasn’t part of the plan. Calista understood the issues clearly.
If their relationship weren’t working, she would leave rather than allow the troubled marriage to persist
and bring her more distress.
Finally, Calista broke free from Lucian’s grasp and went inside with the bag.
The next day, she discovered over a dozen cigarette butts in the ashtray outside her door, though she
couldn’t tell when Lucian had left them there.
After breakfast and refilling her SIM card, Calista drove to the manor on the hill.
The manor strictly regulated its activities, and since Calista didn’t want to stay there at night, she had
taken a few days off from the museum in advance.
As she drove toward the villa, no cars or people were in sight on the road. Despite the broad daylight, the
dense vegetation created an eerie ambiance.
Once arrived, Calista rang the doorbell, and shortly afterward, she heard footsteps approaching from
Inside
The one who greeted her at the door was the villa’s maid, Berta. Despite Calista’s multiple visits, Bertal
had never shown a trace of a smile.
Her countenance perpetually held a stern demeanor. Berta’s emotionless stare always emitted an eerie
vibe, aligning perfectly with the villa’s atmosphere. Calista greeted her.
“Hi, Berta.”
Berta nodded and responded, “Sir had just left. He informed me that you can go in and out of the study room as you like, but just be careful not to mess with anything. He doesn’t like it.”
Calista had no desire to venture into that study room. Every time she crossed paths with the mysterious man, he exuded an air of secrecy, as if he feared she might see more of him than he intended.
The study was a highly private area, and Calista remained clueless about what was inside. What if she stumbled upon something she shouldn’t? How could she ensure her safety in such a situation?
“Could I select a different location? Restoration work demands good lighting. Otherwise, there could
Inconsistencies.” Calista inquired.
Calista aimed to glean some information from Berta. She could detect Berta’s impatience lurking beneath her otherwise impassive facade.
“Go ahead, but…”
Bang!
Before Berta could complete her sentence, a sudden loud crash from upstairs interrupted her. Berta’s
expression shifted, and she hastily ascended the stairs, leaving Calista behind.
