Chapter 6

"I'm sorry. You can hit me or yell at me. Just don't cry," Luther pleaded as he pulled Callista into his arms.

"I was spouting nonsense. I deserve whatever punishment you give me."

Callista couldn't free herself from his embrace, and her tears continued to fall. But deep down, she knew the truth.

Luther hadn't simply misspoken; he was trying to shift all the blame onto her, to justify his infidelity as something inevitable.

Luther grew increasingly remorseful as he said, "I'll make everything clear to my mom. You can consider unblocking her once she learns to respect you, okay?"

Tears streamed down Callista's face, but she smiled bitterly. Little did he know, there was no future for them anymore.

For the next two days, Luther stayed home to keep her company. Even though Callista barely acknowledged him, he busied himself with cooking all her favorite dishes.

Meanwhile, Wren's social media was filled with updates.

Baby supplies Luther ordered for Wren had arrived. He had booked a top-tier postpartum care center for her.

There were even specially prepared meals for expectant mothers, delivered personally by Luther. And he had left a "like" under every post.

That evening, as Luther brought her water for a foot soak, his phone rang.

"It's your brother," he said, putting it on speaker. "He said he just landed a big client and is celebrating. He wants us to join."

Kai's voice came through the line. "Hey, Cally, it's been ages since I've seen you. Come with Luther, okay?"

With only two days left before she planned to leave, Callista didn't know when she might see her brother again. Hence, she couldn't refuse him.

"Okay."

Kai had arranged a small barbecue gathering in the Caldwell residence's backyard.

When Callista and Luther arrived, Kai greeted them warmly.

"Cally, I know you don't like the smell of smoke, so I had them put all the cigarettes away. Pretty thoughtful of me, right?"

Before Callista could reply, someone nearby exposed him. "Liar! It was Luther who reminded everyone to put the cigarettes away."

"Luther truly treats Callista like a queen," another teased.

"He has to! Otherwise, why would I accept him as my brother-in-law?" Kai laughed.

Luther rolled up his sleeves and started grilling Callista's favorite meat.

"My wife deserves everything good in life," he declared.

"Honey, sit here. Don't let the smoke bother you. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll grill it for you."

Callista stayed silent as she was not in the mood to play along.

Suddenly, Kai spoke up. "Luther, we're out of drinks. Come help me grab a few cases from the basement."

Luther patted Callista's head gently. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

As soon as they left, Callista's phone buzzed with a location pin from Wren. She was at the Caldwell residence too.

Callista's heart clenched. Fearing Kai might act impulsively, she got up and followed them. But the tense confrontation she had imagined didn't happen.

Instead, she saw the three of them standing together, chatting and laughing.

Wren looped her finger around Luther's, and her tone was playful as she said, "Your son's been kicking me a lot. He must miss his dad."

"Luther, I'll leave you two to it. I'll grab the drinks myself." Kai grinned mischievously, and he walked off to give them space.

As soon as he walked away, Luther pulled Wren into his arms. "So, only my son misses me?"

"You already know the answer to that," Wren teased.

Luther chuckled, kissing her as they headed into a room—Callista's childhood bedroom.

Callista's blood ran cold, and her legs nearly gave out beneath her.

She thought back to when her parents passed away in an accident. She had only been 13, and she had begun juggling school and multiple jobs to support Kai.

For her brother, she had taken on every dirty, exhausting task imaginable.

Kai had cried so hard as he walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. He was barely able to speak through his sobs.

"If Luther ever bullies you, come home, Cally. Your room will always be here for you."

But now, the two people she loved most had joined forces to deliver the cruelest blow.

When she came to her senses, she was already back in the yard. Kai had just returned with the drinks, and their eyes met.

Callista forced a faint smile. "Where's Luther?"