Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 81: Marion’s Death

Chapter 81: Marion’s Death

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the penthouse, casting a warm glow over the sleek furniture.

Callian sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows placed on his knees, his hands gripping a mug of coffee like it was the only thing tethering him to sanity.

Eira stood by the window, her back to him, staring out at the city below.

She could feel the tension radiating from him even without looking.

"They’re eating me alive," Callian finally said in a heavy tone.

Eira turned, crossing her arms as she leaned against the window frame. "The press?"

He nodded, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Vanesa’s allegations. Every headline screams about me being some violent monster."

Eira frowned, walking over to sit across from him. "Are they true?" she asked softly.

Callian’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "Half of it."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "And the other half?"

He looked at her, the corner of his mouth tugged upward in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "The other half doesn’t matter."

"It matters to me," Eira said, leaning closer.

Callian let out a sigh, setting the mug down on the coffee table.

"I didn’t throw her against a wall, if that’s what you’re worried about. I told her to leave me alone, but she wouldn’t listen. She grabbed me, yelled at me, and then I walked away. That’s the truth. But that’s not what the press wants to hear."

Eira looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face for any sign of dishonesty. "So you didn’t touch her?"

"I didn’t," Callian said firmly. Then he smirked, sitting back. "You don’t think I’d waste my energy on her, do you?"

Eira gave him a small smile, her worry easing slightly. But it didn’t last. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"Because you have enough to deal with," Callian replied. "You don’t need my problems on top of yours."

Eira shook her head. "That’s not how this works, Callian. We’re in this together."

His gaze softened as he looked at her. "I know."

A silence stretched between them, comfortable yet heavy, until Callian leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "Speaking of problems... have you thought any more about your surgery?"

Eira blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "My surgery?" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

He nodded. "Your scars, tumor... I know it’s not a priority for you, but... it could help. Physically, emotionally."

Eira hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of her sleeve. "I’ve thought about it," she admitted. "But it’s complicated."

"How so?" Callian asked gently.

Eira sighed, leaning back. "When I first started all of this... this revenge plan... I thought it would end with me getting everything I wanted and then just... disappearing."

"Disappearing?" Callian repeated.

"Dying," Eira clarified bluntly, meeting his eyes.

"That was the plan. To make them pay and then leave this world. I didn’t think there was anything left for me here."

Callian stared at her. "Eira..."

"But," she continued in a calmer tone, "I started to realize something. There are people—people like you—who care about me. Who see me as more than just my scars, my pain, or my revenge."

Callian reached out, placing a hand over hers. "You are more than all of that," he stated.

Eira smiled faintly, squeezing his hand before pulling away. "That’s why I’ve started thinking about the surgery. Not because I want to erase the past, but because I want to give myself a chance to move forward."

Callian nodded, his lips quivering into a small smile. "I like the sound of that."

Eira hesitated again, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "There’s something else I should tell you," she said finally.

Callian tilted his head. "What is it?"

Eira took a deep breath. "The day I met Henry... I also met Steven."

Callian blinked, sitting up straighter. "Steven? As in Henry’s brother?"

She nodded. "He was there, watching from the sidelines. When Henry left, Steven approached me."

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Because I didn’t want to worry you," Eira said. "You already had so much on your plate, and I wanted to handle it myself."

Callian frowned but didn’t interrupt.

"Steven was strange," Eira continued. "At first, he told me to stay out of Henry’s way, not to poke the bear. But then, almost in the same breath, he offered to tell me all of Henry’s secrets."

Callian’s eyes narrowed. "That’s... odd."

"Exactly," Eira said, her brow furrowed. "It was like he couldn’t decide whether to warn me or help me. And the way he looked at me... it didn’t feel right."

Callian leaned back, crossing his arms. "What do you think he wants?"

"I don’t know," Eira admitted. "But it felt like he was testing me. Seeing how far I’d go."

Callian’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts flaring. "Steven’s dangerous. If he’s playing both sides, it’s for his own gain. You need to be careful around him."

Eira nodded. "I know. That’s why I haven’t reached out to him since. But it’s been bothering me. Why would he offer to betray Henry like that?"

Callian’s eyes darkened. "Because he’s not loyal to anyone but himself. Whatever he’s planning, it’s not for your benefit, Eira."

Eira sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I thought as much."

Callian reached out, taking her hand in his. "Promise me you’ll tell me if he contacts you again. I don’t want you handling this alone."

Eira looked into his eyes, seeing the worry and sincerity there. "I promise."

For a moment, they sat in silence as the conversation settled between them.

Then Callian smirked. "You know, for someone who wanted to die, you sure have a knack for surviving."

Eira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "And for someone who hates drama, you sure know how to attract it."

Callian laughed, the tension in the room easing slightly. "Touché."

But beneath their shared smiles, a problem was ready to appear.

Bzz.

"Will you pick it up?"

"Yes."

Eira took her phone. "Hello?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Eira, we’re here to inform you that your aunt Marion committed suicide last night."

Eira’s hand froze like ice in the cold winter. She dropped the phone on the ground.

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