Chapter 201: Failed to Protect You

Chapter 201: Failed to Protect You

"Daisy, are you okay?" Charles carefully examined his daughter's body.

"I'm fine." Daisy wrapped her arms around his neck. "Daddy, I was so scared."

"Don't be afraid. Daddy's here." Charles held his daughter tight, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry. It's Daddy's fault for not protecting you."

Diana watched the scene unfold, tears finally streaming down her face.

 

After the Emily incident, Charles strengthened all security measures and thoroughly eliminated any potential threats within the Windsor family.

At the same time, his attitude underwent a subtle shift. He no longer pressed Diana for forgiveness, instead focusing on becoming a good father and a reliable partner.

On the final day of the three-month probation period, Charles showed up at the apartment door as usual, carrying breakfast and flowers.

"Diana, three months are up." Charles looked at her, his gaze calm and sincere. "Today I'm not here to ask for your forgiveness. I'm here to tell you my decision."

Diana let him in.

Charles sat down in the living room and spoke earnestly. "Whatever decision you make today, I will respect it. If you choose not to forgive me, I'll leave. But I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as a father—being there when you need me, keeping my distance when you don't."

He paused before continuing. "If you're willing to give me a chance, I'll spend the rest of my life proving that I won't disappoint you again."

Diana watched him for a long time without speaking.

"Mom," Jason emerged from his room. "Daisy and I have something to say too."

Daisy followed behind, and the two children stood before Diana.

Jason took a deep breath. "Mom, these past three months, we've seen him change. He comes to be with us every day. He remembers what we like and don't like. He protects us when we're in danger. He still makes mistakes, but he apologizes and corrects them."

Daisy chimed in. "Mom, we want a complete family. We want Daddy, and we want you to be happy."

Jason looked at Diana, his eyes holding a maturity beyond his years. "Mom, we know you're afraid of getting hurt again. But if you never try, you'll never know if happiness is possible."

He walked up to Charles and looked up at him. "Can you promise me? Promise you'll never hurt Mom again, promise you'll never leave us."

Charles knelt down to meet Jason's eyes. "Jason, I promise you. If I ever break this promise, you can refuse to forgive me forever."

Jason stared at him for a long time before finally nodding.

Then he did something that surprised everyone—he reached out and gave Charles a brief hug.

"Then Daisy and I are willing to call you Dad."

Tears instantly flooded Charles's eyes.

Daisy threw herself into his arms. "Daddy!"

Charles held the children tightly, sobbing.

Diana watched the scene, tears blurring her own vision.

Charles looked up at her, his eyes full of tears and hope.

Diana wiped away her tears and walked toward them.

"Charles," she said softly. "I have a question."

"Ask me anything."

"If one day both the children and I were in danger, and you could only save one side, who would you save?"

Charles answered without hesitation. "I'd save the children. After making sure they're safe, I'd go face the danger with you."

Diana froze. "Why?"

"Because I know that to you, the children's safety matters more than your own life." Charles stood up and looked at her. "And if I can't protect you, I have no right to stand by your side. But if I must choose, I'd choose to keep the children alive, then face whatever consequences with you—even death."

"Good answer. But I'm not sure I've completely forgiven you yet." Diana said quietly. "However, I'm willing to give us a chance now."

Charles's eyes lit up.

"But," Diana added, "we start from zero. Are you willing?"

"I am!" Charles said immediately. "Diana, thank you. Thank you for giving me this chance."

He extended his hand. Diana hesitated, then finally placed her hand in his.

Daisy clapped her hands happily. "Wonderful! We finally have a complete family!"

Jason also broke into a genuine smile.

 

One year later.

The Old Windsor Manor hosted a simple family gathering.

Celeste had fully recovered. She sat in her chair watching the children play in the distance, her face wreathed in smiles.

Jason and Daisy chased each other across the lawn while Charles watched them with tender eyes.

Diana walked over carrying a plate of fruit and sat down beside him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Charles took the fruit plate and held her hand. "Thinking about when we first met. Thinking about the five years we lost. Thinking about every day of our future."

Diana leaned against his shoulder. "Let the past stay in the past. What matters is the present and the future."

"Diana," Charles turned to look at her. "Thank you for being willing to give me another chance."

Diana smiled. "It's not giving you a chance—it's giving us a chance."

Over the past year, they'd been through so much.

Charles had truly learned how to be a husband and father. Diana had gradually opened her heart.

Most importantly, Jason and Daisy had become more cheerful and confident in this complete family.

"Mom! Dad!" Daisy ran over. "Great-Grandma says we can have cake now!"

Jason followed behind, holding a thick book. "Dad, you promised to explain quantum physics to me today."

Charles laughed and picked up Daisy. "Okay, we'll have cake first. Then Daddy will explain quantum physics to you."