Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: You think I made the right decision
[Hospital]

“Did you notice how happy Seren sounded while talking about her parents?” Bryson said, sharing a knowing look with Hayes.

“Yes, she did,” Hayes agreed.

Bryson had always been skeptical about Seren’s desire to know her father—until the day he took her to a nearby park near their previous apartment. That day, as she watched a family playing together, her innocent question had left him stunned. It was then that he realized just how much she longed for the missing piece in her life.

Determined to find answers, Bryson had dug into the past, uncovering the truth about the man who fathered her. When he finally approached Kalix, he already knew the connection between him and Winter. But his decision to confront Kalix wasn’t just about Seren—it was also about a calculated move against a man who had wronged his associate, David.

Kalix had tricked David into investing in a doomed project, a ruthless lesson in business. Bryson knew David wasn’t entirely a fool, but watching his decision fail had made him look deeper into Kalix’s affairs.

At first, he was shocked by the man’s reputation—a powerful, untouchable force in the underworld. But beneath that unreachable and shrewd exterior, Bryson saw something else. Behind the ruthless don was a man who deeply loved his granddaughter.

However, he still doubted his decision to reach out to Kalix. But nevertheless, he had.

Bryson knew Kalix’s family, especially his grandfather, would never approve of his choice, but he had taken the chance anyway, hoping that, for once, they wouldn’t judge him.

“You think I made the right decision by seeking help from Kalix?” Bryson’s expression turned somber, his thoughts once again clouded with doubt.

Hayes paused, recognizing the familiar silence that settled over Bryson. He knew that this question had been haunting him for a while. Yet, despite always thinking of what was best for everyone, Bryson’s lack of certainty kept him trapped in a cycle of self-doubt.

“It was written in their destiny to meet again,” Hayes said, his gaze steady. “If not, then none of this would have happened.”

His words left Bryson deep in thought. After a moment, he nodded. “But still, I think I forced Winter into something she never truly considered. She had the right to make her own choices, yet I kept the truth from her…”

Bryson knew that contacting Kalix would inevitably drag him back into the very chaos he had once worked so hard to escape. But for the sake of Winter and Seren, he was willing to step back into that dangerous world.

Hayes didn’t say a word, knowing Bryson was right this time. However, he remained silent and chose not to push the conversation further.

“Have you decided how you’ll confront your son?” Hayes finally asked. “He’s been up to something heinous ever since you survived. And now that they’ve learned you’re back, he suddenly decided to withdraw his shares.”

Bryson’s expression darkened at the mention of his son’s name. He had never imagined that his own blood would stoop so low that he wouldn’t hesitate to harm his own father. But now that his son’s true face had been revealed, Bryson was determined to see just how long he could keep up his deception.

“Get the discharge papers ready,” Bryson ordered, his tone firm. “I need to return to business now that the CEO has decided to step down.”

Hayes gave a curt nod and left the room to handle the discharge process. Meanwhile, Bryson sat in silence, his mind consumed with thoughts of the son and his real intention behind everything.

***

Winter arrived at the Hillstone Sites office after a grueling two-hour drive, only to spend another hour waiting for the project manager.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Miss,” the manager apologized as soon as he arrived, before finally leading her on a tour of the site, taking note of the completed work and all the problems the workers faced.

Winter was eager to wrap things up and return to the company on time, but suspicion crept in. It felt as if the manager was deliberately stalling her, shifting from one topic to another in an attempt to keep her engaged.

“I think everything is settled for now, Mr. Stewart,” Winter said as she gathered her bag and stood up to leave. However, the manager hesitated.

“How about a coffee? You’ve traveled quite a distance; it must have been exhausting,” he said, glancing at the time.

Winter furrowed her brows, studying his expression before offering a small smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline. I don’t drink coffee… or tea.”

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away. Stepping outside, she quickly got into the cab she had booked earlier and instructed the driver to take her back to the company.

As the minutes ticked by, Winter grew increasingly impatient. She had only half an hour left to make it in time for her meeting, but with the sluggish pace at which the driver was moving, she doubted she’d make it.

“Sir, could you speed up, please? I need to be on time for an important meeting,” she asked politely.

But the driver didn’t respond.

A sense of unease crept over her as she noticed something strange about him and then it hit her.

“Hey! Where the hell are you taking me?” Winter screamed, panic surging through her as she noticed the driver veering off onto a dark, desolate road.

The man said nothing, his silence only amplifying her fear. He kept driving, completely ignoring her.

Winter’s pulse raced. She wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing. With trembling hands, she reached into her bag, pulled out her pepper spray, and without hesitation, sprayed it directly into his face.

“AH!”

The driver let out a pained shout, his hands jerking off the wheel as the car skidded to a sudden stop.

Wasting no time, Winter shoved the door open and bolted.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she sprinted into the darkness, adrenaline fueling her every step. The thought of what could have happened if she hadn’t acted made her stomach churn, but she refused to slow down.

A quick glance over her shoulder sent a fresh wave of terror through her. He was chasing her.

“Damn it! I thought that would keep him down longer,” she cursed under her breath, her attempt clearly not as effective as she’d hoped.

Frantically, she pulled out her phone.

“No, no, no, please don’t die on me now,” she pleaded as she ran, her fingers desperately fumbling to make a call.

Buzz…

And just like that, her phone went black. The battery had died.

Panic surged through her. She had no idea how she was supposed to get help or even find her way out of this desolate place. But still, she didn’t stop.

She forced herself to believe there had to be a way out.

Then—crack!

Her foot caught on something. Before she could react, she tripped over a jagged rock, landing hard on her knees.

“Ah!” she gasped, pain radiating through her legs. She felt the sting of fresh blood.

“Hey, stop!”

Her breath hitched. She frantically glanced back, her heart hammering against her ribs. The man was still chasing her.

Ignoring the pain, Winter pushed herself up and ran.

And then—there!

The faint glow of headlights in the distance. ‘The road.’

Her eyes widened with desperate hope. She didn’t think. She just ran.

Screech!

Tires skidded against the pavement as the car came to an abrupt stop, its headlights blinding her.

A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, stepping toward her.

“Winter?”

That voice—deep, commanding, unmistakable.

Her heart clenched as she slowly lowered her trembling hands from her face.

She blinked up at the man standing before her.

“Kalix,” she whispered, her lips quivering as she took in the sight of him.

‘What was he doing here?’ The question barely formed in her mind before Kalix moved.

He didn’t give her a chance to react. He simply pulled her into his embrace.

“Everything is fine,” he murmured against her ear, his voice both reassuring and strained, as if he needed to convince not just her but himself.

In the shadows, the man who had been chasing her hesitated. Then, at the sight of the couple locked in an embrace, he slowly retreated into the darkness.

Winter glanced in the direction where the man had been, but to her dismay, he was gone. The empty darkness sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her unsettled and curious about his true intentions.

“Are you okay?” Kalix’s voice pulled her back to the moment. His sharp gaze roamed over her, darkening at the sight of her bloodied knees.

Before she could respond, he moved.

Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms, holding her close as if she weighed nothing.

“Let’s go,” he instructed the driver, his tone firm and unwavering.

The car pulled away, leaving the deserted road behind as they drove back from where they had come.