Chapter 202 Don't Lie (CALIA)

Chapter 202 Don't Lie (CALIA)
"Hi, come in."
"Papa!" Lea exclaimed.
"No, he isn't your papa anymore. Call him Uncle."
Lea looked at Elion, her brow furrowed.
"I'm your Daddy, he's just your uncle. Uncle Dimitry."
"Uncle Dimitry."
"Good job, honey."
Dimitry gave Lea a wry smile. It was incredibly awkward, but I was powerless to save the situation.
"Hi. How's Lea?"
"She's getting better."
"I can see that. Are you guys going home tonight?"
"You don't have to drive them home because they're coming home with me," Elion said coldly.
"Okay."
I smiled awkwardly at Dimitry, hoping he'd understand my situation, as I couldn't possibly confront Elion in front of Lea.
"Uncle, Daddy brought me a lot of presents."
"Yeah. Are you happy?"
"I'm very happy. Thanks, Daddy."
Elion grinned at Dimitry's sour expression as Lea hugged him. I couldn't bear to see Dimitry heartbroken seeing Lea with Elion. He'd always been the center of her world, and suddenly he wasn't a part of it anymore.
"Elion, I'm going to get some coffee. Please take care of Lea for a while. Let's go, Dimitry."
I ignored Elion's glare and dragged Dimitry out of Lea's treatment room.
"Sorry, about that."
"What?"
I stepped into the elevator, Dimitry standing beside me.
"About Elion and his assholery."
"I'm used to it."
"Lea just met her father, that's why she's so clingy to Elion."
"I know."
"No, you're not. You were heartbroken seeing Lea with Elion."
"I've had my heart broken before. So it's not a big deal anymore."
His gaze was fixed on the elevator doors.
"Elion took you from me."
It was an unavoidable topic. All the past hurts were bubbling back up.
"I'm sorry about that."
"Why are you apologizing? Your heart has the right to choose the man you love. And I can see that you still love him deeply."
"No. I was just—"
"Don't lie to yourself."
"I made a compromise with Elion for Lea's sake."
The cafeteria was fairly quiet that afternoon. We walked side by side toward the counter. I ordered a vanilla latte, and Dimitry ordered an iced cappuccino. We sat in our favorite spot in the corner—far enough from other tables that no one could eavesdrop on our conversation.
"What’s your plan now, Calia?"
"I don't know. Elion was never part of the future I envisioned for Lea and me. So, I’m just going to take things as they come and see what happens."
"It seems like Elion wants you all to be a family. You know, a real family—father, mother, and child."
"He does. But I still don't know where life will take Lea and me. You know the kind of man Elion is. I’m not going to drag Lea into his dark world."
"Maybe he’s changed," Dimitry said, sipping his cappuccino.
"Do you really think a man like Elion would change?"
"Everyone changes eventually. Maybe you should give him a second chance."
"Why do you want me to be with Elion? Sorry, but that’s the impression I’m getting."
"It’s simple. I want you to be happy. And the only one who makes you happy is Elion."
"Bullshit," I said, throwing the straw at him.
"No, it’s true. I’ve noticed you haven't been truly happy while living in Amsterdam. Yeah, maybe you found peace, but deep down, you feel like something is missing."
I was about to argue, but Dimitry cut me off.
"Don't even try to deny it, because I know the truth. I’ve been watching you all this time. And because I love you, I want you to be happy with the man your heart has chosen. That man isn't me—it's Elion."
"How can you be so sure? My heart belongs to me."
"I just know. You lie to yourself too much. Trust your heart for once."
"I trusted my heart once, and look what happened. I was shattered four years ago."
"You trust your heart, but you act contrary to what it says. Am I right?"
"Damn, you're terrible, Dimitry."
He laughed at my dilemma.
"Try giving him a second chance."
I let out a soft sigh.
"Okay. It seems I don't have much choice anyway. No matter how hard I push him away, he’ll find a way to make me his again. I’m trapped."
"Trapped—but I bet you’ll like it."
He took something out of his coat pocket and placed it on the table.
"I wanted to give this to Lea, but she’s already gotten so many gifts from her father. I’m not sure she’d even like a gift from me."
I looked at the teddy bear keychain and smiled at him.
"Don't say that. Your gift would still mean a lot to her. Even with Elion in her life, believe me, you still have a place in her heart."
"Yeah, I hope so."
"No, it’s true. She was asking about you this morning. She was waiting for you to come."
"It's fine. Let Lea spend time with her father; I won't interrupt you. And I hope you spend the night with Elion, too," he winked mischievously.