Chapter 203 Why Do You Love Me? (CALIA)

Chapter 203 Why Do You Love Me? (CALIA)
“You two were in the cafeteria for ages. What were you doing?”
“Nothing. Just chatting and having coffee.”
“For over an hour?”
“That’s normal. Like you’ve never had a friend before. We were just talking.”
“I don’t have friends.”
He turned his gaze toward the window. He’d been in a bad mood since we left the hospital, and my words had only made it worse. I hadn't meant to, but I’d said something that offended him.
The ride home was silent. Dr. Chloe had allowed us to leave the hospital early because all of Lea’s test results were good. Lea was fast asleep in Elion’s lap. She absolutely refused to be apart from her father. She wouldn't even let me help put on her shoes, insisting that Elion do it instead. Elion didn't seem to mind at all. He acted as though he’d been a father for ages, rather than just a few hours. He was incredibly gentle with Lea, a stark contrast to how he treated me. Elion was always arrogant, even a total dick when he was with me.
When we arrived at Elion’s mansion, Edward was waiting at the door. He beamed and gave me a warm hug.
"Welcome back, Calia. Long time no see."
"I missed you so much, Ed. Thanks for your help back then."
"My pleasure."
I couldn't deny that returning to Elion’s mansion felt like coming home. Those few short months had given me memories to cherish for a lifetime.
"Oh, is she your daughter?"
"Yes. Her name is Azalea. We call her Lea."
"That’s a beautiful name."
"She’s asleep right now, unfortunately."
"I can't wait to meet her when she wakes up."
"She’s a real chatterbox. Her constant talking might give you a headache."
"Never. Anyway, where are your suitcases? I’ll take them up to your room."
I raised my eyebrows.
"Mr. Elion asked me to get a room ready for you. You’re staying here again, right?"
"Oh, no. We’re just here for dinner."
"At least, stay for a few nights. Lea needs to spend more time at her father's house," Elion said coldly. His tone made it clear he wouldn't tolerate any argument.
"Alright. Just a few nights, then we’re going back to our apartment."
Elion carried Lea off to her room, ignoring me completely. He was still angry about what I’d said in the car, and it was infuriating.
"Did something happen between you and Mr. Elion?"
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"It’s not like you don’t know Elion. He’s very moody."
We chatted about trivial things, swapping stories and the like, as we walked into Elion’s house. The place I missed the most was the kitchen. It hadn't changed a bit, still as neat and clean as I remembered.
"That stool and the breakfast bar were my favorite spots. I used to have breakfast there while watching you cook or dry the dishes after taking them out of the dishwasher."
My fingers grazed the countertop. A smile played on my lips as those memories came flooding back.
"Honestly, I felt lonely after you left this house. There was no one to talk to while I cooked. I’d only cook a few times a week."
"Elion never eats at home?"
Just as Edward was about to answer, Elion suddenly appeared, leaning against the doorway.
"Is dinner ready, Ed?"
"Yes, sir."
"I want to eat now. Dining room, Calia."
His arrogance annoyed me. He was a completely different man when he was with me.
"He’s so sweet when he’s with Lea."
"It’s like you don’t know Mr. Elion at all."
"You’re repeating what I said."
Edward chuckled.
"You’d better head to the dining room before Mr. Elion gets even more annoyed with you. I just need to plate his dinner."
"What’s on the menu today?"
"Chicken Cordon Bleu with truffle sauce and sides."
"Sounds delicious."
"I can't wait to eat your cooking again, Ed."
While the vibe in the kitchen was cheerful and pleasant, the atmosphere in the dining room felt gloomy. It wasn't the interior—it was the people.
He hadn't worked all day, so I wasn't surprised to see him busy with his phone. A glass of wine sat beside his hand.
"Did Lea wake up and get fussy?"
"No."
“I rarely used to see you drink wine. You always drank Scotch.”
“I just didn’t drink wine in front of you.”
“Are you busy?”
“Just checking a report from Jack.”
“So, is he your secretary now?”
“He’s my secretary and my advisor.”
“I’m glad you two have become so close, like brothers. He’s a good guy.”
“When he’s not being chatty, sure. But he bitches a lot.”
“By the way, I’m sorry for interrupting you back then. You were in a meeting.”
“Jack handled it. Nothing to worry about.”
He was talking to me, but his eyes were glued to his phone screen. If the roles were reversed, he would have thrown a fit.
“Here’s the dinner. Sorry for the long wait.”
“Thanks, Ed.”
I noticed Elion’s dinner was different from mine. The food on his plate looked very healthy.
“Why are you only eating steamed chicken and vegetables?”
“Dieting.”
“I think you’re a bit too thin. You don’t need to diet. Eat real food like I do.”
“This is real food.”
He put his phone down and started eating. We ate in silence, and it was incredibly boring.
“How’s life, Elion?”
“Normal.”
His aloofness annoyed me. I cut up the chicken on my plate, deliberately making noise with my knife and fork. Elion glanced at me briefly.
“How many women have you dated?”
“Never counted. Are you jealous?”
“No. Just making conversation because I’m annoyed you’re ignoring me.”
“You want attention?”
“I want to be respected as a human being.”
"I respect you."
"No, you don't. You treated me like a doll you could play with however you pleased."
He stopped slicing the chicken on his plate.
"You bore my child, and you still think that?"
"Isn't that exactly how it was?"
"I respect you, that’s why I granted your wish for a divorce. You made it clear you didn't want to carry my child. And when you fainted at that restaurant, I realized I’d only been hurting you all along. So, I divorced you. But you speak as if the divorce happened because I wanted it—because I wanted to cast you aside."
"You certainly gave that impression. Plus you only listened to what Christine said."
"What did you expect, Calia? The woman I was fighting for didn't want me. I was disappointed and angry at the time."
After four years, I finally heard Elion speak his mind about it. He used to just stay silent, leaving me confused by his attitude. I had wanted him to snap back at me whenever I provoked him, but he would just go quiet and walk away. I assumed he didn't want me anymore.
"So, why do you still want me after everything I did to you?"
"Because I love you."
Short and simple, yet it struck a painful chord in my heart.
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why do you love me?"
"Because I have a heart, I suppose."
He looked annoyed, but this time, he was man enough to face it head-on.
"Does loving someone have to have a reason?"
"I guess not, but I’m just... surprised. A man like you falling for me? Is this a joke?"
"No, it’s real. And what do you mean by a man like me?"
"You’re one of the most sought-after men in Chicago. So many women want you. Even after the divorce, they still wanted you. You could have a woman a thousand times better than me."
"You say that from your perspective. From my perspective, there's no better woman than you. And I only want you. So, stop questioning my feelings."
"I have trust issues."
"So start trusting me. There's no harm in trying."
"Can you guarantee you won't hurt me if I trust you?"
"No, but I'm trying."
"Okay."
I said it only because I had nothing else to say.
"Try it. Throw away all your negative thoughts and let your heart feel. You've always blocked your heart from feeling love because of your own fear."
"I tried it four years ago, and you see how it ended."
"Our lives were too messed up four years ago. I've gotten rid of those troublemakers. Things will be much better than they were four years ago."
"Okay."
"What?"
"I'll try to trust you."