Her eyes widened at Callum's ambiguous words. Edith slowly released the hug and lowered her head. Now she felt even more awkward facing this handsome man. Had Callum actually known about her romance story secretly from the start? How had he known all this time?
"Callum, what happened last night you're doing too? Did you deliberately lure me into your room?" Edith asked softly.
Callum laughed awkwardly, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Why are you still accusing me of being a criminal?"
"Because until now I still suspect you. You seem very mysterious. Do you have spies spying on me?"
"Edith, I know everything because Cliff is my brother."
"What?!" Edith coughed, choking, and rubbed her chest gently. "But how come I never see you two interacting?"
"Because I'm his half-brother." Callum held her tiny hands with a pitying look. "I knew from the start that he was cheating on you. I've seen him flirting with different women almost every month."
Edith was even more stunned to hear the truth, something she hadn't known all this time. Cliff had been deceiving her all this time. From being overly kind to being a good listener to lying to her that he was the only child and the main heir to the company. This was what tempted her stepfamily to force her to marry Cliff immediately.
"Callum… can you tell me everything in detail?" Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Actually, my reason for suddenly approaching you was because I wanted to protect you from him. I don't want you to marry a jerk like him."
"Then what's the difference with you? You're also a jerk who suddenly slept with me!"
"This is why I felt so suffocated listening to your ramblings earlier! Weren't we supposed to be having a friendly chat at the hotel bar last night? You were the one who approached me at the bar instead!"
Edith gently massaged her temples, trying to remember the foolish actions she'd done all night that had led to this major disaster. She admitted she'd indeed chatted with Callum at the bar. However, she only remembered getting there because she'd had so much to drink that she couldn't remember the rest of it.
"I remember us talking at the bar. After that, I don't remember anything because I was too drunk."
Callum shook his head slowly, slowly stroking the beautiful woman's beautiful hair. "Since you already know everything, do you forgive me?"
"But I will not forgive you because you have harassed me!"
"I promised you before. If you suddenly get pregnant, I'll take responsibility. I'll marry you."
"Is it because you feel sorry for me?"
Callum smiled sarcastically, moving his lips closer to the red lips that continued to tempt him. "First, I wanted to avoid an arranged marriage. Second, I've liked you from the start. When you were dating Cliff."
"I knew you would pity me! You must have heard my unfortunate story many times!"
"But, I didn't do it because I felt sorry for you. This proves that I truly love you."
Hearing Callum say the word "love," Edith couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Whether Callum felt sorry for her or truly loved her, she now only had him in her life. If Callum hadn't been in her life, would she have continued to be deceived by Cliff until they actually married?
"Callum… thank you for coming into my life." Her cheeks flushed and her head lowered. "But, I want to start things slowly. I can't marry you right away because I don't know you well enough yet."
"You look so cute now. Do you like the dress I gave you?"
"I really like it, actually." Her right eyebrow raised. "But why were you so cold to me at the hotel? And you rarely smile all this time."
"Because my life is also filled with hatred, that's why I rarely smile. But every time I talk to you, I smile. You're the only person who can make me smile."
Edith wrapped her arms around his broad back. "Thanks for saving me, Callum."
Even though their relationship has been going well over time, can they maintain it? It certainly won't be easy for them to maintain a smooth romantic relationship, as everyone disapproves of their relationship.
*****
Five years have passed, and Edith has recovered from her lows. She has become increasingly well-known for her increasingly beautiful and innovative clothing designs. Although exhausted from the daily demands of numerous clients, she remains enthusiastic about supporting herself and her small family.
Tired enough to meet with various clients today, she entered a lazy penthouse and immediately laid down on the living room sofa.
Suddenly, she felt someone tugging at her shirt sleeve, causing her to slowly lift her head. She stared at the little girl, who wore a pleading expression with a beaming smile.
"My daughter, I'm sorry I came home late today."
The little princess swung her mother's hand happily. "Mommy, I missed you."
"Me too. I wanted to go home early today, but I have to meet a lot of clients today. I mean, my friends."
"Mom, am I going to a new school tomorrow?"
Edith nodded, slowly positioning herself to sit upright, and then letting her little daughter sit on her lap. "Are you sad about changing schools so suddenly?"
"No. I'm very happy because I'll make a lot of new friends."
"Sorry, I was worried it would be difficult to pick you up after school if you stayed at your old school. It just so happens that this new school is quite close to my boutique."
"As long as mom is happy, I will definitely be very happy."
Edith's smile widened, patting her daughter's back rhythmically. "You really are the best daughter. You've always been the one who understands me best."
"But, usually other kids will bring their dads to their new school too. Do I actually have a dad, Mom?"
Hearing her little daughter's question, Edith couldn't answer. She stared blankly around the penthouse. "Actually, I don't know who your father is either."