Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: If only you wouldn’t hesitate and hold my hand

“Are you certain your bodyguard won’t threaten my daughter with his weapon?” Winter’s voice was sharp, her eyes flickering to Kalix as she reiterated their decision to leave Seren with Standley.

“You know she isn’t used to being around a real gangster,” she added anxiously.

Winter had already observed the man to be quiet and mysterious, but the tattoos covering his body gave off a deadly aura. She wondered whether he was comfortable around children at all.

Kalix met her gaze, his expression unwavering. “Don’t worry. Our daughter is safe with him,” he reassured Winter, his voice firm as if to end the conversation.

Yet, Winter’s unease persisted. Hayes had failed to secure the necessary precautions for their safety, and now another attack on Byron had taken place.

As they arrived at the hospital and made their way to Byron’s ward, they found Hayes engaged in a hushed conversation with the security guards.

“I want you to hunt down whoever did this,” Hayes ordered as the guards departed.

Winter rushed forward, her voice tinged with worry. “How is Grandpa?” she asked, eyes scanning the scene for answers.

Hayes’ face darkened, guilt flashing in his eyes. He lowered his head. “Someone snuck into Byron’s room and injected him with a drug that caused his blood pressure to drop suddenly,” he explained. “The doctors are still treating him, but I fear something worse might happen.”

Frustration twisted inside Winter as she absorbed the information. Hayes had been too busy hunting down backup under her orders to be there when it mattered most.

Moments later, the door to Byron’s room opened, and the doctor emerged with a solemn expression, tightening Winter’s chest with dread.

“We were able to stabilize his blood pressure, but…” The doctor hesitated, his face filled with regret. “Mr. Byron has slipped into a temporary coma.”

Winter’s knees buckled at the words, and she nearly fell, but Kalix was there to steady her. His grip on her shoulder was firm yet gentle.

“Be careful,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing.

Winter’s eyes flashed with frustration. “How could someone get past all the guards?” she demanded, her gaze snapping from the doctor to Hayes. “How did this happen?”

The doctor bit his lip, avoiding eye contact. Hayes opened his mouth but fell silent, unable to provide a valid answer.

“Is this how you protect your boss?” Winter’s anger flared, her voice rising as she turned toward Hayes. “Is this what my grandfather funds this hospital for? How did someone sneak into his room with all the supposed security?”

The doctor’s face flushed in embarrassment, and Hayes’ guilt deepened. The situation was spiraling out of control, and Winter felt helpless as she watched her grandfather’s health worsen due to negligence.

As if sensing her despair, Kalix placed a hand on her back, his touch offering a small comfort amidst the chaos.

“Boss, we’ve retrieved some footage from the hospital’s back end,” Sean said, approaching with a flicker of hope in his eyes. He handed Kalix his phone, which he passed to Winter.

“Here, take a look,” Kalix urged.

Winter studied the footage, her brow furrowing in concern. “Who is this man?” she murmured, her voice quiet with unease.

“We don’t know yet, but we’ll find out,” Kalix responded, his voice sharp. He handed the phone back to Sean, who nodded and left to investigate further.

Winter’s exhaustion was apparent, her shoulders slumping as she sank down onto a nearby bench, burying her face in her hands. The weight of the situation bore down on her, leaving her overwhelmed and emotionally drained.

Kalix watched her with a deep frown, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. He quickly moved to her side, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Fate is really testing me, isn’t it?” Winter murmured with a sad smile, lifting her head to meet his gaze.

Kalix’s heart stirred at her words. “If only you wouldn’t hesitate and take my hand,” he whispered softly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

Winter’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. She longed to trust him, to take his hand and let him in, but the walls she’d built around her heart were difficult to dismantle. She wasn’t ready.

“I know you’re the one person my grandfather trusts, but… I’m not ready to give my heart to you,” she admitted quietly. “I never asked you to take responsibility for Seren.”

Kalix’s eyes darkened with determination. “But what if I want you both?” he said in a low, measured tone.

Winter’s eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching in her throat. “What?”

“You know I’m supporting your grandfather, and now it’s time for you to follow through,” Kalix continued, his voice steady but firm. “Marry me.”

Winter’s heart dropped, her mind spinning with disbelief. She had hoped for a different solution, one where she could still hold onto her independence, but Kalix’s words shattered that possibility.

For the first time, she felt cornered, unable to escape the maze he had carefully constructed around her. His smirk was unsettling, like a predator closing in on its prey.

Hayes, who had been observing the exchange from a distance, smiled softly before excusing himself. Sean blinked, amused by the dynamics between Kalix and Winter. He wondered why they couldn’t have such pleasant exchanges.

Winter, on the other hand, felt trapped. With every step she took, Kalix seemed to be there, his imposing presence always just one step behind.

***

Meanwhile, across town, a man hurried into an old house, locking the door behind him. He moved quickly, gathering his belongings in haste as he prepared to escape the city. His phone beeped, and he glanced at the message, a smirk curling on his lips as he read the payment he’d received for the job.

His phone rang moments later, and he picked it up swiftly.

“I don’t want your shadow around. Make sure no one finds you,” a cold voice ordered before the line went dead.

The man stuffed his phone into his pocket, ensuring he left no trace behind. He hailed a taxi and vanished into the night, leaving nothing but uncertainty in his wake.