Chapter 205

Rowell reeled a bit under Natalia’s accusations and was unable to formulate a defense. Lena’s death had not been his intention. He had been fond of her, but he hadn’t loved her.

Not yet.

He was an count- with power, wealth, and women aplenty. Yet he was also the most impoverished, for he had never understood what love truly was.

As Natalia and Callum began to walk away, Rowell called after them. His voice was tinged with desperation. “Natalia, I… I can make amends.”

He had no shortage of women, but he had sincere intentions toward this child, who bore his bloodline.

She was his daughter, a part of him, and deserved nothing but the best. She should never have been left to fend for herself. If other earls or dukes found out, he’d get so embarrassed. So when Natalia left with Callum, Rowell begged her to stay. He couldn’t bear the thought of a scandal.

Natalia, however, had no interest in understanding Rowell’s thoughts. She just wanted to get as far away from these people as possible.

“Cal, let’s go,” Natalia said, ignoring Rowell’s pleas and briskly heading for the car.

Seeing Natalia’s aversion to Rowell, Callum didn’t bother with niceties. He slipped into the car and drove off without a backward glance.

As Rowell watched the car disappear into the distance, he felt a hollow pang. This daughter he had just met was so much like him in his younger years.

“Why do you bother with such riffraff from the slums, Father?” Alice, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally spoke up. “Father, do you not love me anymore? Why else would you invite that horrid person back?”

Rowell glared at Alice, and she quickly released his hand, fearing a slap.

“Shut up, Alice! You’ve been spoiled to the core by your mother. You’re an embarrassment!” With that, Rowell stormed off, leaving Alice fuming but afraid to speak up. She hurriedly ran after Rowell, afraid that she would be left behind.

Meanwhile, Callum was driving Natalia away. The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. Natalia looked downcast, her face a picture of melancholy.

Natalia, cheer up. We can’t bring the dead back to life. It breaks my heart to see you like this Callum said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Natalla managed a weak smile, but it looked more like a grimace. She turned to Callum and quietly said, “Cal, I want to take my mom’s ashes back home.

ation Callum agreed, even though he knew they would run into the ck home. But he couldn’t bear to see Natalia upset, nor d the simple wish to lay her mother to rest.

“Alright, when do you plan to leave? I’ll arrange everything.”

“Can we leave now?” Natalia asked as her eyes welled up. “I don’t want to leave my mom here any longer. It’s been over twenty years since she’s been home, and I want to take her back.”

Callum could only agree.

After making a quick phone call to book two tickets, Natalia thanked him profusely.

Callum, however, brushed it off with a laugh. “Silly girl, you’re my fiancée. I should be doing this for you.”

“Cal, after my mom’s funeral, we can get engaged. If you don’t mind, that is,” Natalia said, surprising Callum into silence. He couldn’t believe his ears.

Natalia blushed and lowered her head, shyly repeating her words. “Life is full of uncertainties, and we should live in the moment. We shouldn’t waste time. I want to cherish the people in my life.”

Overwhelmed with joy, Callum could barely contain himself. He pinched his own cheek to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Ouch! That hurt. But I’m not dreaming. You really said yes, Buttercup! I’m the happiest man on earth!”

He exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

With that, Callum couldn’t help but start dancing in the car, twisting and shaking off his ecstatic joy. “Oh my God, oh my God, my Buttercup actually agreed to marry me! I’m so incredibly happy! I can’t even put into words how I’m feeling right now. Phew, I need some oxygen, I want to shout, I want to tell the whole world. I’m the happiest man alive at this moment!”

Watching Callum’s excited, incoherent behavior, Natalia found it hard to imagine that this usually reserved man was acting so childishly. Her previously downcast mood was suddenly uplifted. She looked out the car window and smiled.

Indeed, life was fragile and short. She had made Cal wait for her for five years. How many more five–

year periods could one afford to squander in life?