Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: What is keeping him there?
Meanwhile, inside the room, Winter continued to dwell on Gina’s words about Eric. Curiosity gnawed at her — she realized how little she actually knew about his background.

They had dated for almost three years, yet not once during that time had Eric spoken about his family. And she, foolishly trusting, never pressed him for answers. Whenever he brushed off the subject, she let it go, never feeling the need to insist.

But now, after Gina had voiced the question so plainly, Winter couldn’t stop herself from wondering — why hadn’t she seen it as a red flag? Why hadn’t she questioned his silence? Was it all part of his deception? Had there been a hidden agenda behind why he approached her from the very start?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice.

“Mama, don’t you want me to go?” Seren’s question pulled her out of her daze, and Winter blinked, turning to face her daughter.

It hit her then — Seren was heading off on her school picnic the next day, and she had completely forgotten. The realization washed over her: her little girl would be away for three whole days, spending time without them.

“Oh, my baby,” Winter whispered, pulling Seren into her arms. The child snuggled close to her mother’s chest, her warmth comforting the ache in Winter’s heart.

“Mommy will miss you so much,” Winter murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of Seren’s head. “But you know what? I’m already looking forward to hearing all about how Star enjoyed the picnic.”

At first, she had been skeptical about letting Seren go. The thought of her daughter being away unsettled her. But when Kalix assured her that everything was under control — every measure taken, every detail handled — her worry slowly eased, and for once, she allowed herself to breathe.

“And Star doesn’t need to worry,” Kalix added with a soft smile. “Daddy will look after your mommy, just like I promised.”

Winter’s brow arched slightly at his words. She hadn’t been aware that a pact had been made between Kalix and Seren while she was preoccupied planning for the picnic. But now, hearing them speak so casually, she realized there was a secret the two shared — one she hadn’t been a part of.

Her gaze shifted between them — the striking resemblance was impossible to miss. The only difference was one was small, with wide, innocent eyes, and the other was a grown man with a hardened, protective edge.

“And… what promise have you two made?” She asked, her tone laced with suspicion as she eyed the two lookalike versions of each other.

“That’s a secret, Mommy,” Seren replied playfully, clinging onto her father’s shoulder with a mischievous smile. “Only Daddy and I can know.”

“Right, Daddy?” she added, seeking his confirmation.

“Right,” Kalix agreed without missing a beat, his voice warm and certain.

Winter could only pretend to sulk, watching the two of them — so alike, it almost felt surreal. Their bond was undeniable, and though she pouted for show, her heart softened at the sight of them together.

Afterward, she busied herself helping Seren pack her little suitcase, making sure everything was folded neatly and nothing was left behind. Once done, she tucked her daughter into bed, brushing a kiss across her forehead before switching off the light.

Later that night, as soon as she and Kalix stepped into their room, he wasted no time. Kalix closed the distance between them, pressing her back gently against the door. His hands rested on either side of her, caging her in, and his face inched closer to hers — intent on claiming her lips.

But before he could, Winter lifted her hand, placing it firmly between them, her palm against his mouth, stopping him just in time.

Kalix frowned slightly as Winter fixed him with a cold, unyielding stare.

“What promise did you make with Seren?” she asked, her voice steady as she held his intense gaze — the same gaze that always seemed to look straight through her, unraveling her composure.

But instead of answering right away, Kalix’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile that left her breathless. There was a glint in his eyes, dark and teasing, and the way his mouth moved, so deliberate and smooth, kept her rooted to the spot.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to initiate, Angel,” he murmured, his voice deep and coaxing. “Our daughter thinks it’s time for a sibling. She wants a little brother, and don’t you think… we should fulfill her wish?”

Winter’s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. A wave of warmth crept up her neck and spread across her face, turning her cheeks a soft shade of pink.

“What—did—she—say?” She stammered, barely able to believe her ears. Seren had always been full of surprises, but this — this was beyond anything she could’ve predicted.

She pressed a hand to her chest, still trying to process it. It was so like Seren to throw her off balance, so like her father — unpredictable, bold, and impossible to anticipate.

And yet, even knowing that, Winter still couldn’t quite wrap her head around the fact that her little girl had made such a request.

Her eyes narrowed as she pushed him back slightly and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I highly doubt that request came from her,” she said, her voice sharp with suspicion. “Tell me, Kalix — did you trick your own daughter into this?”

Kalix licked his lips, one arm resting casually against the wall as his eyes remained locked on Winter, unflinching.

“Not entirely,” he admitted with a smirk. “But I might’ve bribed her… just once.”

He spoke so casually, as if making deals with a child was perfectly normal — as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Winter huffed, crossing her arms tighter. “Then that request doesn’t count,” she said firmly. “You tricked your own daughter into it.”

She moved to step away, but before she could get far, Kalix slipped his arms around her from behind, pulling her gently against his chest.

“That’s not tricking, Angel,” he murmured close to her ear. “It’s called family planning. And from what I see, our daughter is ready — now the question is, are we?”

Winter furrowed her brows, tilting her head slightly to glance back at him.

“Not just our daughter, Kalix,” she replied softly. “Her mother and father need to be ready too.”

“I am ready,” came his instant response, making Winter gape at him.

“Seriously? Are we really going to talk about breeding right now? Kalix, please—not now,” she muttered, brushing past him, her exhaustion weighing down every step.

Kalix frowned but followed her silently. He would never push her, but seeing her so unsettled only deepened his concern.

“Tell me, Angel,” he said softly, settling beside her. “Is something bothering you? You’ve been distant ever since Gina called.”

Winter had hoped to mask it, to bury it under small talk and routine, but clearly, she’d failed.

“First, promise me you won’t judge me,” she whispered, her voice barely holding steady.

Kalix gave her a knowing look, tilting his head slightly as if seeing right through her.

“Every time you start with that line, it only confirms that whatever you’re holding back is serious,” he said calmly. “And like always, my answer’s the same — tell me, or I’ll find out myself.”

Winter could only sigh, her thoughts weighing heavy as she pondered for a few seconds.

“It’s about Eric… I’ve been wondering—how come I never once tried to really know him? Not deeply, at least.”

“What do you mean, deeply?” Kalix’s voice cut through the air, sharp and clear, snapping her out of her daze.

It hit her then—how the mood between them had shifted, the temperature dropping despite the room being warm. Even though she tried her best to avoid looking at him, her head turned on its own, drawn to face him.

Kalix looked every bit the predator—a feral wolf barely holding back. His eyes pinned her in place, sharp as needles, and she couldn’t stop the nervous gulp that followed.

“K-Kalix, that’s not what I meant,” she stammered, trying to explain, but he cut her off again.

“Go on,” he said, voice low and steady. “I’m listening.”

Winter inhaled deeply, steadying her racing heart as she watched him sit there, silent and unreadable.

And then, finally, she spoke.

“Do you think Eric approached me with a purpose?”

Kalix’s brow furrowed, his voice flat and certain. “Wasn’t it already clear? He wanted to climb through you.”

“Yes, he did. That much I know,” Winter murmured, her gaze distant. “But even now, with his career barely hanging on, he’s still with Agnes. What does that even mean?”

Winter had always assumed Eric came into her life with an agenda—to use her, to ride the success and connections her family name silently promised. And when she walked away from her home and cut ties with her family, he’d wasted no time betraying her and running to Agnes.

But now, despite his company struggling and his career faltering under all the backlash, he was still with her. No fortune, no power, no real gain.

So what was keeping him there?

It was the same question that had been gnawing at Kalix, too. No matter how deeply he tried to dig, there was nothing solid he could uncover about Eric. The man was a ghost in all the ways that mattered.

He remembered Niko mentioning it once — how someone had been deliberately shielding Eric’s identity, locking down every trace so tightly that even Niko couldn’t break through the system. And now, hearing Winter voice the very same suspicion, Kalix felt his doubt settle into cold certainty.