Chapter 172
Calvin’s POV
I froze.
My grandfather Howard had patted my shoulder before leaving.
“Talk to her properly,” he’d said before leading everyone else away.
Evelyn had handed Alexis to Eryx, her instructions clear and confident. “Take Alex to the car. I’ll be there in a minute p>
Little Alexis went willingly into Eryx’s arms, calling him “Uncle Eryx” with such familiarity that it hit me like a punch to the gut. This battle-scarred warrior was more like family to Alex than I was.
Eryx’s usual tough exterior melted instantly for Alexis, his rough hands gentle as they smoothed her hair. “Let’s go, little one. Your mom will join us soon p>
Alexis nodded, then asked innocently, “Where are my brothers p>
My heart sank as Rowan and Rhys looked at me hopefully. They’d been staying at the pack house with their great-grandfather for the past two days, clearly missing both their mother and half-sister.
“Zeon,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt, “take them back to their rooms p>
The disappointment on my sons’ faces was crushing as their eyes lingered on Evelyn and Alexis, though they were too well-behaved to protest.
Eryx quickly explained to Alexis why her brothers weren’t coming with them.
“Bye-bye, brothers,” Alexis called, waving cheerfully, oblivious to the tension around her.
Before Rowan and Rhys could leave, Evelyn called out to them. “Rowan, Rhys, I owe you both an apology. What I did back there wasn’t setting a good example p>
Rowan, always the protective one, jumped to her defense. “Grandma Diana was targeting Alexis first! You were just protecting her, Mom. You were amazing p>
“Yeah!” Rhys agreed enthusiastically, mimicking a kicking motion. “That kick was so cool p>
Evelyn’s eyes softened, but her tone remained serious. “I’m an adult and I take responsibility for my actions. But if you ever face something like this at school, please tell your teachers. At home, you can come to your father or me. Got it p>
Both boys nodded solemnly before following Zeon out.
Then we were alone, Evelyn and I, standing in the quiet garden.
“Calvin, I appreciate your intentions,” she said finally. “But I can protect my daughter myself. I don’t need you getting involved p>
Her blunt rejections left me feeling powerless in a way I’d never experienced in business. I thought about Leon and Logan—men who’d known her far longer than I had. Leon with his decade of quiet devotion, Logan with his obsession spanning over a decade. Up against guys like them, my confidence wavered. In the corporate world, I could crush them without hesitation, but when it came to love, I was lost.
Everything came down to the woman standing before me.
“Evelyn,” I said, my voice low, “Alex needs a father p>
She laughed suddenly, but there was no warmth in it.
“Don’t tell me you’re actually offering to take on that responsibility?” she asked in disbelief. “Calvin, do you remember how neglectful you were when Rowan and Rhys were born? If that’s how you treated your sons, why should I trust you with a child who isn’t even yours p>
I had no answer. She was right.
Evelyn shook her head. “Why does everyone always assume a child needs a father to grow up happy? Alex has me, her brothers, two godmothers who adore her, Gary who would do anything for her, and a whole laboratory full of people who love her. She might not have a father, but she certainly doesn’t lack love p>
“I don’t believe in trying to fix what’s already broken, Calvin,” she continued. “So… could you please stop wasting your energy on me? Use your time for something you actually enjoy p>
Her words hit me hard, the color draining from my face. My memory, always too sharp for my own good, immediately recalled those exact words.
A man’s regret means nothing.
She could forgive Rowan and Rhys when they apologized because they were her flesh and blood, carried in her womb. But for me? Whatever feelings she once had were long gone, with no chance of recovery.
My grandfather’s birthday celebration had been constantly interrupted, yet he showed no anger when I returned to my room without rejoining what had essentially become a matchmaking event. He acted as though today truly was just about celebrating his birthday.
Rowan and Rhys were waiting in my room when I returned. They could clearly feel the tension between their mother and me.
I pulled myself together before addressing them. “What is it p>
Rowan hesitated before speaking. “Dad, can you please stop fighting with Mom p>
They rarely mentioned Evelyn around me, but tonight, Rowan needed to talk.
“Dad, I’ve heard Grandma Diana bad-mouthing Mom behind her back before. I asked her to stop, but she wouldn’t listen p>
Though young, Rowan was observant. If my recent change in attitude toward Evelyn hadn’t been so obvious, he probably wouldn’t have continued.
I maintained the open dialogue I’d always tried to have with my sons, listening rather than dismissing their thoughts due to their age.
“Go on,” I encouraged gently. “I’m listening p>
Rowan took a deep breath. “I know people were mean to Mom because you didn’t like her. They knew she had no one in her corner p>
His voice carried such sadness for Evelyn that it completely rattled me.
My throat went dry as I asked quietly, “Why would Rowan think Dad… didn’t like Mom p>
He furrowed his brow, mulling it over before answering.
“Because you never escorted Mom to parties. You didn’t kiss her before leaving or hug her when you came home,” he explained. “At dinner, it was always just Mom, me, and Rhys. I used to see Mom crying alone in her room p>
His words felt like a knife to the heart! Comparing the cold, distant Evelyn of today with the woman who had once smiled warmly at me, who had been so excited for our sons’ birth—I suddenly realized she hadn’t turned cold overnight.
Despite his young age, Rowan’s memory was exceptional.
“Dad, I messed up too,” he confessed, looking down. “I knew Mom didn’t like Auntie Clara, but I didn’t stop Rhys from spending time with her. That was wrong. Mom is our real mother, isn’t she p>
Rowan’s words hit me like a truck, illuminating truths that a child understood but I had only recognized after our divorce.
Rhys hung his head in shame as he listened to his brother.
“Mom wouldn’t let me eat snacks or stay up late,” he said quietly. “I thought she was being mean, so I liked Auntie Clara more because she always let me do whatever I wanted. Mom must have been so sad p>
In my sons’ eyes, I had always been their hero—someone who could do anything. Now I had to swallow the bitter taste in my mouth as I stroked Rowan’s head.
“Is there anything else you want to tell Dad?” I asked softly.
Rowan pressed his lips together and shook his head. “You should rest, Dad. We’ll go back to our room now p>
Even after everything they’d said, I walked them back to their bedroom before returning to my own. There, I collapsed onto the sofa without turning on the lights, letting the darkness hide the agony on my face.