Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Who is Richard
Seated across from Byron in the living room, Winter folded her arms, letting the silence stretch—daring him to speak, to deny it. But all she heard was her grandfather muttering under his breath, scolding Sylvester for having a loose tongue.

Her brows furrowed, and when her patience finally snapped, she broke the silence.

“Okay, so now I understand why you two can’t stand each other’s names. But instead of cursing him, why don’t you just come clean, Grandpa? There’s nothing left for you to hide. Kalix already knows the truth—and trust me, his grandfather is probably squirming under that piercing gaze of his, trying to find a way to escape.”

Byron shot her a disbelieving look. That wasn’t what he’d expected to hear. But now that the truth was out in the open, was there really any point in pretending they didn’t know each other?

Byron felt the weight of Winter’s piercing gaze and slowly began to relax, the tension in his shoulders easing as he met her eyes.

“What do you want to know?” he asked, his voice returning to its usual calm, measured tone.

“Everything you’ve been hiding,” she said firmly. “And why did you approach Kalix in the first place?”

Her eyes didn’t waver, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a vice.

Despite Kalix’s reassurances, Winter couldn’t find peace. And if even one percent of her doubts turned out to be true, she had no idea how she was supposed to come to terms with that reality.

***

“You thought he was behind the murder, and yet you never once told me you suspected him?” Kalix’s voice cut through Sylvester like a blade as the truth unraveled.

Sylvester had no defense. He knew that keeping something this monumental from Kalix wouldn’t earn him praise—it would only cause him to fall further in his grandson’s eyes.

“It seems I was wrong all along,” Sylvester admitted quietly. “There was never any solid proof against the man. And now, it turns out he’s caught in this mess too—because we share the same enemy.”

His words stirred something in Kalix. Curiosity flickered behind his eyes, his brows drawing together as he studied his grandfather. And as he looked deeper, he realized this wasn’t some elaborate attempt to dodge interrogation. No—there was sincerity in Sylvester’s voice, in the way he finally laid the truth bare.

“What else do I not know, Grandpa?” Kalix asked, leaving no room for secrets now that he already had his hands on the truth.

***

“I just couldn’t believe they both knew each other and never once said a word,” Winter chuckled, leaning back on the couch, her mind still reeling from the truth.

“And I’m glad they’re not hiding anything anymore.” Kalix wrapped an arm around her waist and effortlessly pulled her onto his lap, burying his face in her chest like he was seeking comfort.

“You’ve realized, haven’t you? The reason he approached me wasn’t out of guilt for what happened to my father—but because he genuinely wanted to see us together.”

Winter blinked, his words slowly sinking in. When they did, she softened.

“Yes,” she whispered, meeting his gaze. “He truly wished to see us together.”

Kalix wasn’t angry that Byron had hidden the fact he knew his father. What had hurt was the doubt about Byron’s motives. But now that both Sylvester and Byron had cleared the air, the weight on his chest felt just a little lighter.

“But that still doesn’t solve everything,” Winter said, her voice low with concern. “We still don’t know who the other person involved was—or why your grandfather doesn’t seem to know him.”

Kalix’s brows furrowed in thought. One truth had been uncovered, but it only led to more questions. Especially with what Sylvester had said about Uncle Richard. His last words had cast a shadow of suspicion over Byron, but the reality had turned out to be entirely different. And now, even Sylvester was beginning to question it.

“By the way, who is this Richard guy you mentioned?” Winter asked, curiosity lacing her tone.

Kalix let out a slow breath, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. Her warmth grounded him as he replied, “He was Grandpa’s most trusted man. And the one who was with my parents when they—”

“Dianna and Rita’s father, right?” She interrupted gently.

He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Yeah. That’s him.”

“And where is he now?” she asked softly.

Kalix let out a long sigh and gave her a pointed look.

“What? I’m curious!” Winter said, brushing off his mildly annoyed expression as she pushed for answers.

Kalix stared at her, torn between amusement and exasperation. He needed her attention—but her endless curiosity was quickly becoming the biggest hurdle between him and a romantic moment.

“He was paralyzed,” Kalix finally said. “He’s been in a stagnant state ever since. Barely recognizes anyone, and he hasn’t recovered since that fatal attack.”

Winter’s expression softened with realization. That alone confirmed Richard wasn’t someone they could suspect—not anymore.

“Then how are we supposed to find the real culprit?” she muttered, her frustration seeping into the words. Kalix could only sigh again, helpless.

“We’re not looking for him right now,” he said firmly, pulling her closer. “And if you’d stop thinking so much for five minutes, maybe you’d notice that your man is in desperate need of pampering.”

Winter gave him a long, knowing look before pushing herself off his lap and putting a safe distance between them.

“But before that,” she said, folding her arms, “your company needs your attention. And as the CEO, it’s your duty to look after it—rather than being cheeky all the time.”

Kalix groaned dramatically, but she ignored it.

“Have you decided who’s going to take over Dianna’s responsibilities now that she’s been thrown out of her position?” She added, arching a brow.

Kalix thought for a second, slightly rubbing his chin.

“Since you were the one who uncovered what she’d been sneaking behind our backs,” Kalix said smoothly, “I suppose it’s only right that you take over her position—from this day forward.”

“…”