For a woman as strong as Calista, she could handle even the greatest shocks.
“Why is it considered good?” Calista, unaware of the underlying reasons, furrowed his brows and said, “I feel they only bring me trouble.”
Wilbur chuckled lightly. Then, I must congratulate you. Having worries means you’re getting closer to the common folk. I’m not saying there’s something wrong with you. Rather, your previous feelings were quite unconventional. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with being ordinary, right? I, for one, revel in being an average Joe.”
Calista paused for a moment.
“So, are you saying my changes are because I’m returning to normal?” She pondered over her past self for a moment, then suddenly furrowed her brows. “I don’t want to revert back to who I used to be.”
Seeing her aversion to the past, Wilbur shook his head and reassured her, “Don’t worry. You’ll never revert back to the way you were before. You’ll only become better than you are now.”
“Better than now?”
With a smile, Wilbur confidently stated, “Naturally, it’ll be better. There’s an old saying about rebirth from the ashes, but such rebirth is divided into two parts. The moment you undergo a profound change, you cast aside all the traits you no longer desired, marking your rebirth. However, only after experiencing the refining of time, adjusting your mindset, and reevaluating yourself, can you truly attain rebirth. On the clear stage of your mind, you should retrieve what shouldn’t be abandoned, discard what truly needs to be discarded, and extract what’s truly needed. Eliminate malice and return to nature; only then can you achieve true transcendence. So, at that time, you will be better than you are now.”
Calista glanced at him.
“After being abandoned, there’s naturally no need to reclaim it, right? Just like cowardice… What’s its use?”
Wilbur reached out his hand, opened her palm, and placed a piece of candy y in it.
“Cowards are usually gentle, not ones to hold grudges. Who’s to say that’s a bad thing? Every trait exists for a reason. How can we differentiate between what’s useful and what’s not?”
Calista pinched the piece of candy, her eyebrows furrowing slightly before he handed it back. “I don’t really like sweets,” she said.
Satisfied, Wilbur laughed and gently pushed the hand away.
“But Mrs. Fairchild once mentioned that the old Calista used to have a sweet tooth, didn’t she? You can let go of many things, but you shouldn’t let go of yourself, right?”
Calista was taken aback, but Wilbur had already walked away with a smile, leaving her holding the candy, a bit at a loss.
Kallum watched from the end of the hallway. Even though he knew he shouldn’t be jealous, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy seeing Calista chatting happily with another man. He almost wished he could chase that bothersome man away.
His expression, however, remained unhappy. If he had known earlier, he would have minored in psychology
Calista mulled over, gazing at the candy in her hand. After much contemplation, she popped it into her mouth, her face void of any expression. Indeed, it was the milk candy she used to adore so much.
Before, she had always felt as if she were alive, but her soul was floating in mid–air, observing with detached indifference. But now, she could occasionally feel that she was truly “alive” without experiencing pain. From this perspective, her change should be seen as a positive development, shouldn’t it?
In the evening, it was just her and Kallum having dinner. Calista couldn’t help but ask, “What are you planning to do about Horatio?”
Seeing her concem, Kallum responded with a smile, though his tone was somewhat cold.
“I severed all trade relations between our two families. Despite some losses, everyone now knows about our feud. There’s no way he could borrow money now. He must be at his wit’s end by now,”
Thinking of Horatio’s pitiful state, Calista chuckled lightly. Seeing Kallum engrossed in his meal, she hesitated for a moment before suggesting softly, “I this that this is a great opportunity. After the scare at the Ingram residence. I had a miscarriage. This way, no matter what you do to the Ingram family, it would be justified. Others won’t be able to find fault with you. What do you think?”
After finishing her statement, Calista glanced at Kallum, expecting him to be upset. To her surprise, although his eyes dimmed momentarily, he spoke up.
“That’ll do.”
Calista was taken aback, finding it somewhat inconceivable that Kallum had given
Yet, Kallum was looking at her as he continued to speak.
“I didn’t pressure you, so can you please not pressure me as well?”
in so quickly.
Confronted by his gaze, Calista couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable tension. She lowered her head to eat, unsure of how to respond.
However, Kallum did not let her go.
“What do you want to do? I can accommodate you in every way possible. I can keep giving in. But you… I don’t need you to come toward me. Can you at least stand still where you are? Is that okay?”
Is that okay?
Is that okay?
Calista was slightly hesitant. Under the warm glow of the light, she faltered only for a moment before speaking with conviction.
“I’m planning to move out and stay elsewhere tonight.”
Kallum’s grip tightened around his fork and knife due to her response, which reflected her stance.
Just as Calista braced herself for Kallum’s wrath, he gradually calmed down.
“If you’re truly determined to do so, then go ahead as you wish.”
This peculiarly good–natured demeanor left Calista even more perplexed. What on earth was Kallum trying to do?
After having her meal. Calista returned to the laboratory, where she busied herself until one in the morning. Throughout this time, Kallum didn’t come to find her, which she found increasingly peculiar.
But who cares? Maybe… Perhaps Kallum has already given up, seeing that I remained unmoved by his efforts?
Calista felt inexplicably irritated. She shook her head and headed toward the house she had rented. Since a housekeeper had already cleaned it, she could move in immediately.
Looking at the quaint country–style mansion before her, she realized that this would be her temporary home in the future.
The mansion consisted of just one bedroom, a study, and a practice room–three rooms in total. It used to be home to a young couple. Although it was said to be two stories, it was actually just one. In order to maintain their privacy and undisturbed world of two, they didn’t even set up a guest room. This time, they decided to rent out their house because they were planning to go on a long–term trip.
For Calista, this place was quite suitable. If the house was too large, she didn’t feel secure living in it.
Since only the downstairs bathroom had a bathtub, Calista had taken a bath there before heading upstairs. By the time she entered her room, she was already quite exhausted. Therefore, she didn’t bother turning on the lights and simply collapsed onto the bed.
But the moment she fell down, she jolted back up as if she’d been electrocuted.
There was someone on the bed!
Though she was quick, someone was even quicker. A shadowy figure swiftly scooped up Calista into his arms. With a swift roll onto the romantic circular bed, he had her pinned underneath him.
Upon catching a whiff of the familiar scent, Calista gave the other party a swift thump in a fit of frustration.
“Kallum! What are you doing here?”
Her heart was pounding wildly.
In the darkness, Kallum chuckled softly. “Why can’t I be here? From now on, we’re roommates!”
“Are you kidding me?” Calista’s temper flared up a bit. “I signed a contract with the landlord!”
Kallum spoke with a hint of smugness. “But what can you do? I’ve already bought this house. I bet even if you try calling them tomorrow, they won’t pick up. So, you might as well save your energy!”
Calista was speechless. “You… bought it?”
“Exactly!” Although Kallum was joking, his tone was surprisingly firm. “Wherever you decide to live in the future, I’ll buy a house there. If you buy a place, I’ll purchase the one across from you. You won’t be able to escape from me for the rest of your life, Callie.”
Calista was at a loss for how to face him anymore.
She closed her eyes briefly. No wonder Kallum let me go so easily. He was waiting for me here all along… D*mn it!
How despicable!
When she was angry, her voice was full of vitality. Kallum really enjoyed teasing her, especially when she lost control.
“You better not move around too much.”
In the darkness, Kallum’s body grew increasingly warm, causing Calista’s skin, wherever he shudder.
He took a light sniff of her, speaking with restrained patience.“Otherwise, I really can’t hold back anymore.”
It was only then that Calista realized she had come upstairs draped on/ in a bath towel. Despite not being able to see anything during their interaction, it felt as though Kallum had taken full advantage of the situation.
Calista, in extreme annoyance, responded with a sarcastic scoff.
“Get out of my sight!”
“No, this is my home.”
“Then, I’m leaving!”
“I won’t let you leave.”
“Kallum!” Calista forcefully pushed him and sat up. “You’re shameless!”
Kallum, however, didn’t see it that way. He sat up, casually ruffling his hair in an unintentionally alluring way. His voice carried an underlying threat.
“Do you know? I can sink even lower.”
Calista was about to say something but was silenced as Kallum expertly grasped her chin.
At night, she was blind, a complication that had emerged after contracting a virus. However, Kallum was not. His gaze was intense as he watched Calista, her skin still glowing in the darkness, his throat bobbing.
“You’d best not test the patience of a wolf, especially when it’s hungry.”
The suppressed tone in his voice frightened Calista, for she realized that Kallum was not joking. He was truly enduring a great deal of hardship.
She couldn’t help but hug herself tighter. This seemingly vulnerable gesture, however, only served to fuel her opponent’s fervor.
In the darkness, Kallum’s breath quickened. With his vision, the sight of the beauty laid bare before him was enough to drive anyone mad.
“Callie…”
He called out her name in a low, husky voice, kneeling with his head bowed. Lifting her chin, he longed to kiss her.
Instinctively. Calista attempted to resist. bur Kallum suddenly became assertive.
“If you don’t behave, I’ll ‘devour you tonight. I believe you haven’t forgotten what you promised me that night at the amusement park.”
Only then did Calista recall that day when she said… If Kallum found her before midnight, she would be his for the night.
Calista, with a defiant tilt of her chin, said, “We were both infected back then. Now, are you trying to get re–infected?”
“Heh…
Since Calista couldn’t see, the man’s deep laughter was all the more maddening. His hands mischievously toyed with her hair, speaking in a dangerous tone.
“So, you’re saying, as long as I can avoid getting infected, you’ll agree to my proposal?”
The areas his breath touched sparked a shudder within her. Calista suddenly bit her lower lip, unable to speak. Because she believed there was a chance that Kallum actually had a solution.
Seeing her finally realize her fear, Kallum’s smile broadened. His eyes ignited with a purple flame as he asked in a hushed tone.
“Now, are you going to behave or not?”
“I…”
Calista feigned hesitation, but in the next moment, she made a sudden move to break free. However, Kallum accurately caught her hand.
“I always knew my Callie is quite formidable. She even knows how to use a needle.
With a swift move, Kallum managed to dislodge the silver needle from Calista’s grasp, which landed on the bed. Nonchalantly, he tossed it onto the floor.
“But if you don’t behave, I really won’t be able to resist, Darling!”
A single, endearing utterance of darling‘ from him sent shivers down Calista’s spine. Silently gritting her teeth, she finally acknowledged that she was no match for him.
With the only pin now lost, she clung to her bath towel, finally at a loss for what to do next.
“What exactly do you want?”
In her heart, she reassured herself over and over again, asserting that Kallum would surely not dare to touch her. She didn’t need to… didn’t need to worry.
Indeed, Kallum had no intention of laying a hand on her. All he wanted was to negotiate some benefits. However, Calista was rather difficult to deal with, leaving him no choice but to resort to half coercion, half persuasion. Could there be a more unfortunate fiancé than him?
Despite his sighs, Kallum was quick to undress.
Upon hearing the sound of Kallum undressing, Calista was nearly jolted off her feet.
“What are you planning to do?”
Seeing her attempt to flee, Kallum swiftly removed his clothes. With a quick grasp of her ankle, he pulled her back. She was once again toppled by him, held tightly in his embrace.
Once he was free of the cumbersome clothing, the contact of their bodies caused Kallum to sharply draw in a breath.
“Don’t move! Damn it… You’re driving me insane! Calista, are you doing this on purpose?”
Feeling the intense masculine presence, Calista finally managed to calm down quickly.
“Let’s set some ground rules, shall we?”
Kallum was taken aback. Why on earth would they propose a set of ground rules at a time like this?
He leaned in to kiss her face, but Calista dodged him. “I want to set some ground rules! Ground rules!”
Seeing her a bit flustered, Kallum suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment. He playfully nipped at her cheek. “Tell me. What do you want?”
Calista forced herself to remain calm, assuring herself that Kallum wouldn’t dare to touch her. He wouldn’t dare! He just wouldn’t.
“Do…” Her voice faltered. “Dó you still have feelings for me?”
Kallum pinched the soft flesh on her waist, his voice deep and resonant. “If I’m not dead, how could my
In other words, as long as he was alive, he wouldn’t give up on his feelings for her.
For some unknown reason, Calista felt a sudden warmth spread across her face. Perhaps it was because his body temperature was unusually high. He was like a burning furnace.
“Would you… perhaps loosen your grip a bit if I were to give you a chance?”
Calista’s words prompted Kallum to slowly sit up and look at her. “Are you saying I’m pursuing you too eagerly?”
“Just like what you’re doing now, buying the house I’m renting. You’re making me feel suffocated!” Calista said, somewhat displeased.
“So, you’re considering giving me a chance?” A glint of amusement flickered in Kallum’s eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re playing a game with me? Giving me hope first, then slipping away when I let my guard down. What’s your plan?”
Did you perhaps guess a bit too accurately?
Calista showed no signs of guilt. “It’s because you don’t trust me. That’s why I insisted on setting ground rules.”
“How should we do this?” Kallum twirled her hair around his fingers, his voice heavy with expectation. “Firstly, you can only give me a chance. Secondly, when you give me that chance, you must ultimately say yes. Thirdly, you can’t keep me waiting too long. Does that sound fair?”
Calista glared at him. “You’ve set all three rules. What’s the point of this game anymore?”
Kallum stared at her, his voice suddenly lowering. “Are you serious? Give me a chance.”
He was so restless. From the moment Calista uttered those words, he knew they were merely perfunctory. Yet, deep down, he was desperate to believe that he had touched her heart and been granted a second chance.
Calista was initially inclined to say “yes.” However, even though she couldn’t see him, she could still sense Kallum’s intense gaze fixated on her. It seemed that behind his casual smile, this answer held immense importance.
Suddenly, she felt a twinge of pity.
Kallum seemed to give a bitter laugh. “Indeed. I had guessed as much already.”
He didn’t seem disheartened at all. Instead, he leaned forward, his words laced with a hint of gritted resentment. “You never intended to give me a chance from the start, did you? Once you’ve made up your mind, you’re unyielding, you heartless little thing!”
Calista inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.
“Sleep now,” Kallum commanded, wrapping her in an assertive yet comforting embrace. After all the commotion, he no longer had the mood to tease her.
Although she was stark naked, Calista was worried that if she resisted or made more demands, Kallum’s lust might be rekindled. Therefore, she finally calmed down.
Kallum held her with a bitter smile. He understood completely why Calista was so obedient, and this understanding left him heartbroken.
However, he knew not to push her too hard. Slow and steady wins the race, after all. He understood that being too forceful with Calista would only backfire. He had to gradually win her over, melt her defenses, and claim her. He was well aware of this principle.
Thus, the first night after Calista moved out went by without any incident.
The following day, Calista was staring at the computer in front of her, feeling a bit anxious.
The antiserum for the K Virus was now in its final experimental stage. This meant that her recovery was imminent, with a timeline ranging from as short as one month to as long as three months. Even though she hadn’t fully recovered yet, Kallum was already eyeing her like a hawk. Once she was healed, there was no way Kallum would be able to hold back.
Hence, either Kallum would give up on her before she recovered, or she should not recover unexpectedly, which is the one thing.