Chapter 1908

“My father’s interest is just a passing phase,” Caleb said calmly. “Once he realizes there’s no outcome, he’ll naturally let it go. I’ve been in love with someone who didn’t love me back it was exhausting. So why would I willingly enter a marriage with someone I don’t even have feelings for?”
Caleb didn’t want a marriage without love, and he certainly didn’t want the worst-case scenario-a child born into such a situation. Even though Vera had suggested signing an agreement where the child would stay with him, Caleb couldn’t bring himself to agree.
How could a child grow up happy without a mother’s love? And what would he do when the child inevitably started asking for their mom?
He couldn’t bear the thought of the child calling someone else “mom.” And if he stayed with Vera just for the child, wouldn’t that create a miserable, loveless relationship for both of them?
It was better to draw a clear line from the beginning.
Vera hadn’t expected Caleb to be so straightforward and decisive. What could she say to that?
Just as she had resolved to give everything up and fight for her last chance, Caleb had shut it all down with such finality. Even with his father pressuring him, Caleb had never entertained the thought of compromising his own values to appease anyone.
And so, what about her?
For a moment, Vera was at a loss for words.
“Caleb,” she finally said, her voice trembling, “if you won’t help me find other options, could you at least lend me some money? I’ll pay you back when I have it.
“I really have no other options. Everyone around me has turned their back on me. Even your father, despite his demands, has helped me more than anyone else.”
Caleb’s father had made it clear: small amounts of money were fine, but for something as large as Vera needed, there was no way he would drain his resources.
The only exception? If Vera could win Caleb over and become his wife. Once she became part of the Smith family, they would provide unconditional support.
When Caleb’s father proposed this, Vera hadn’t hesitated to agree.
The hardest part was always the
beginning. Vera had prepared herself
for the challenges of trying to win
Caleb over, but she hadn’t anticipated his calm gestures-dropping her off at the hospital, giving her the key to his
apartment, transferring money.
For someone she had only just met, Caleb had already done a lot. But even so, she was at her wit’s end.
Vera clenched her fists tightly, her
nails digging into her palms. “Caleb, I swear I’m not someone who would default on a loan. Please, I’m
begging you… I don’t have an ine
any
assets left to use as collateral.”
Without collateral, no bank would grant her a loan, and her relatives had long since cut ties with her. If it weren’t for Caleb’s father offering her a glimmer of hope, she might already have resorted to desperate and degrading measures.
Suddenly, Vera dropped to her knees with a thud.
The sound startled Caleb, and he turned to see Vera kneeling before him.
He hadn’t expected her to go this far. The amount she needed was no small sum-it was significant, far beyond what he could easily offer someone he barely knew.
“You should focus on resting,” Caleb said after a pause, his voice steady but cold. “I need to keep an eye on Luna. I’m leaving.”
Without waiting for a response, Caleb turned and walked away, his steps firm and unwavering.
Vera stared at his retreating figure, slowly rising to her feet.
Caleb wasn’t wrong. The amount she needed was far too much, and their relationship was too shallow for him to justify helping her. He had no obligation to bear her burdens.
But for Vera, there was no one else she could turn to. As desperate as her actions might seem, she couldn’t give up.
Meanwhile, Caleb arrived outside the operating room where Luna was still undergoing surgery. He sat down in the hallway, waiting silently for updates.
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