Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: You want to sleep with me?
Winter shouldn’t have been surprised, as Kalix had done the same with Lilac when she ran away from the house. But she couldn’t help but wonder when and how he had managed to install the tracker, especially since she had never once given him her cellphone.

“You do realize invading someone’s personal space is unacceptable,” she said, holding up her phone for him to see.

“You aren’t a stranger,” he replied casually. Winter’s calming tone seemed to relax him, bringing him back to his usual self.

Surprisingly, the knowledge of the tracker didn’t upset her. If he hadn’t installed it, he might never have found her. Deciding to let it slide this time, she put her phone back on the charger.

Kalix helped her settle back onto the bed and handed her the tea that James had brought. It was infused with healing herbs to ease her fatigue and muscle pain, helping her sleep more soundly.

Winter took a sip and made a face, her nose scrunching in distaste. Kalix smirked, amused by her reaction. He realized that not only was she not a fan of tea, but she also hated the bitter taste of the herbs mixed into it.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll take a quick shower and then join you in bed,” Kalix said, placing the empty cup on the table before walking toward his walk-in wardrobe to grab a fresh pair of nightclothes.

“Y-You want to sleep with me?” Winter stammered, caught off guard. He had said it so casually, as if it were an everyday routine between them, when in reality, they had only shared a bed a handful of times.

Kalix paused, glancing back at her with a mischievous smirk. “It’s the other way around, Angel. I want you to sleep with me. Did you forget? This is my room.”

Winter’s face flamed with embarrassment, and she quickly lowered her gaze, biting her lip anxiously. Kalix chuckled at her reaction.

“Relax. I won’t do anything to you. We’ll simply sleep,” he assured her, echoing her own words from earlier. His teasing tone made her regret ever saying them in the first place. She watched as he disappeared into the bathroom.

It was only then that Winter realized what she had done—she had asked him to bring her to his room, and now she had to deal with the consequences of sharing his space.

Scooting back on the bed, she slowly lay down. Staring at the ceiling, she tried to process everything, but before she knew it, sleep crept over her, and her eyes fluttered shut.

By the time Kalix emerged from the bathroom, he noticed that Winter was already asleep. A small smile tugged at his lips as he set his towel aside and slipped into bed next to her.

Propping his head up with one hand, he lay on his side, simply watching her.

His nights had never been this peaceful. Before, he had drowned himself in work or numbed his thoughts with alcohol, hoping exhaustion would eventually pull him under. But no matter what he did, sleep never truly satisfied him and it only left his mind restless, even in unconsciousness.

But with Winter, it was different. Even if he wasn’t asleep, just having her in front of him, breathing steadily beside him, eased something inside him. It was a kind of peace he had never known before, one that carried into the days that followed, making them almost blissful.

His eyes, calm as the sea, darkened with the storm still brewing inside him. The thought of her being hurt tore through him like a blade, and when his gaze drifted to the wound on her leg, his jaw clenched.

“Whoever did this… I’ll find him,” he vowed, his voice a low growl. “And I’ll burn him alive.”

A faint hum interrupted his dark thoughts.

“Hmm…”

Winter stirred in her sleep, instinctively snuggling closer to him. Her arms wrapped around his torso, and she nestled her face against his chest, seeking warmth.

The simple touch erased the storm inside him. His muscles relaxed without him even realizing it, and his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. He dipped his head, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Sleep tight,” he murmured, his fingers gently caressing her hair as he let himself drift into the comfort of her presence.

***

The next morning, everyone gathered in the Greyson mansion’s dining hall.

Byron, now discharged from the hospital, settled into the head chair while his family sat on either side of the long table.

His presence alone surprised everyone, but what unsettled them even more was how calm the old man appeared despite knowing exactly what they had been planning behind his back.

It wasn’t just Agnes who felt uneasy; her parents, Dorothy and David, wore the same wary expressions.

“I was expecting to see welcoming faces, yet you all look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Byron remarked as he unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap.

He didn’t need to look at their faces, as he could already read their minds.

“G-Grandpa, I’m so happy to see you. You look perfectly fine,” Agnes broke the tense silence, forcing a smile before glancing nervously at her parents.

“Yes, Father, we’re relieved to see you recovered and back home,” Dorothy added, attempting to sound genuine.

As always, Byron remained unimpressed.

“And you, David? Aren’t you happy to see your father?” His sharp gaze locked onto his son. “Or were you too busy transferring your shares to even bother visiting me once?”

David choked on his food, his eyes darting toward his father in alarm.

“What’s wrong? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Byron’s piercing stare bore into him, and David quickly lowered his gaze.

Dorothy, sensing the tension rising, scrambled to change the subject.

“Father, why don’t we enjoy breakfast first? It’s been a while since we’ve had a meal together.”

Byron smiled, giving her a slow nod. “How surprising. My daughter-in-law suddenly looks forward to sharing a simple breakfast with me.”

Dorothy’s smile faltered. His words were laced with mockery, a reminder that he knew all too well how she had been praying for his demise.

Setting his teacup aside, Byron leaned forward slightly, exuding an air of quiet dominance.

“By the way, about those shares you tried to withdraw,” he continued, his voice as smooth as it was menacing. “They were never yours to begin with; they belong to the company. And since you’ve already lost enough of the company’s funds, I expect you to repay me… or prepare to get sued.”

David’s eyes widened in shock, and the fork slipped from his trembling fingers.

“F-Father,” he stammered, his lips quivering in disbelief.

“You haven’t just betrayed me twice, David—you’ve done it three times.” Byron’s tone was cold and unforgiving. “Consider this the least I can do to show you exactly who you’ve crossed.”

He picked up his napkin, wiped his lips, and then stood up.

“You have one hour to decide,” he declared. “Or be ready to face the consequences.”

Without another word, he walked away, leaving the three of them stunned and speechless in the aftermath of his declaration.