Edith still wondered what Eliana and Callum had discussed last night. Her daughter hadn't told her anything about Callum's touching act, making Edith even more suspicious. Was Callum asking Eliana to hide something? If she forced Eliana to talk, would she cry again? Since Callum had calmed Eliana down, she'd been smiling since waking up.
Edith looked at her daughter, who was devouring her cereal with gusto. "My daughter, why were you crying last night? Did you have a bad dream?"
Eliana nodded, staring at the remaining cereal in his bowl. "I dreamed I was being chased by a giant monster. While I was being chased, I saw mommy almost being eaten by the monster."
"Really? That's why you were screaming for daddy?" Edith rested her chin on her hands. "But why did you stop crying immediately when Uncle Callum comforted you last night? Besides, you two seemed so close even though you'd only just met."
"Because I really like Uncle Callum."
"You seem to like Uncle Callum more than Uncle Cliff. You've been hanging out with Uncle Cliff more often lately."
"Mom, do you like Uncle Callum too?"
Her eyes widened. She was shocked by her daughter's unexpected question, and she hadn't expected her to dare to ask a question usually discussed by adults. Had Callum deliberately seduced Eliana last night?
"I like him as a friend. He's a really nice guy."
"I want to play with Uncle Callum tomorrow. Can we go to his house?" Eliana cooed, winking sweetly at his mother.
"Of course. It was Uncle Callum who invited us to play at his house."
"Great! I can't wait to play with him."
drrt…drrt…
Edith's expression turned blank as she stared at the caller ID on her phone screen. It was her stepsister. Edith hadn't visited her stepfamily's residence in a long time, having always been ignored. Now that her stepsister was suddenly contacting her, she had a feeling she was about to be taken advantage of again.
Edith didn't want her daughter to hear this tense conversation. She avoided her daughter whenever possible to avoid stressing her little daughter out.
Edith answered the phone in the living room while looking at her daughter who was still finishing her cereal in the dining room.
"What made you call me all of a sudden?"
"My mother invited you to lunch today. I hope you won't avoid her."
"Why did you just assume I would avoid your mother? Can you think positively?"
"Because all this time you've been using excuses like you want to have a meeting with your client. I know you're actually trying to avoid my mother."
A sinister smile spread across his face. "Not this time. I happen to be free today. Tell your mother she'd better prepare a delicious lunch for me."
"If you don't keep your promise, you have to bear the consequences!"
The phone call ended abruptly. Now Edith wanted to contact Callum for help first. Callum was the only one she could rely on when it came to childcare.
"Callum, are you busy today?"
"I happen to be free today. What's wrong?"
"Can I ask for your help? I have something to do this afternoon. I can't babysit Erdin today."
"Leave the childcare to me."
"Really?"
"Eliana also seems to want to play with me today. You don't need to worry about this anymore."
"Sorry, I should be the one doing this task."
"Edith, I'm not scolding you for this. You should just get on with your business. You don't need to worry about your daughter anymore."
"If Eliana causes trouble, you must report it to me."
Edith immediately went back to her little daughter who had just finished her cereal.
"My daughter, I'm sorry, I have to meet someone this afternoon. I'll leave you with Uncle Callum, is that okay with you?"
Eliana looked at his mother with a beaming smile. "That's great! I'm actually happy to be playing with Uncle Callum today."
"That's so strange. Don't you usually want to cuddle with me more than anyone else?"
"Because I want to play with Uncle Callum. No need to wait until tomorrow."
"Even though you like to play with him, don't be naughty in front of him, okay?"
"I understand. Don't worry, I won't be naughty."
*****
Edith wore a blank expression as she entered her stepfamily's luxurious residence. It could be said that she had only visited this residence once or twice in a year, and that was because her family was holding a major event that she was forced to attend. Furthermore, she had to act like a good daughter in front of everyone to keep everyone from talking about her family.
It had been a long time since she'd seen her stepsister's face. Edith kept her head down, staring at the various dishes neatly arranged on the dining table.
"How are you, Edith?" the older sister asked, taking a sip of wine.
"Of course, I've been fine so far."
"Thank goodness. I thought you would be overwhelmed since you're a single mother."
"You don't need to worry about me. I've been taking good care of my daughter so far."
The stepmother smiled sarcastically, crossing her legs haughtily. "Are you still not planning on looking for Eliana's biological father?"
"Actually, I'm still curious about his whereabouts. Five years have passed, but it's strange that he hasn't come looking for me until now. If I didn't have amnesia, I would have found him much easier."
"But, if you didn't have amnesia and knew your ex-lover's face, would you have any intention of marrying him? He should be held accountable for getting you pregnant out of wedlock."
Edith folded her arms. "Why are you suddenly so attentive to me? Haven't you been ignoring me all this time?"
"Actually, I feel sorry for your daughter because she still doesn't have a father. After observing you for five years, I actually know who your true lover is."
"Who is it?"
"Of course, the man who first appeared when you woke up."
"Cliff is Eliana's biological father?"