Chapter 26
613words
"Luther Spencer, you disgust me," Callista spat.
Luther jolted awake in panic, and he rushed into the bathroom. He scrubbed his body over and over again. He nearly peeled his skin off.
His eyes were bloodshot, and he mumbled unconsciously, "Honey, I'm clean now. I'm not dirty anymore. I've cleaned everything off. Please don't think I'm disgusting.
"I even threw up what I ate. Please, don't hate me. I'll make sure no one else ever comes here again."
It took him half an hour to come out. Seeing his state, Jane was about to step into the room, but Luther blocked her.
"Don't come in. Callista doesn't like you. I need to guard her things here. I can't let her be upset again."
Jane's heart sank with despair. Unable to enter, she sat down outside the door.
"If I can't stop you, I'll stay here with you. Watching you like this is worse than dying. Luther, what will it take for you to move on?"
Luther remained silent for a long moment. "Mom, I want to see her."
"Even if she really doesn't want me anymore, I need to hear it from her. Otherwise, I can't let go."
Jane's throat tightened. But even if he saw her, could he really move on?
"I'll help you… but you can't see her like this. Let me go downstairs and cook something for you, okay?"
At the mention of Callista, Luther finally relented.
"Okay."
…
Meanwhile, across the ocean, Jude extended his hand to Callista as they approached a rugged path. "This way. Be careful."
Callista hesitated for a moment before taking his hand.
She had been traveling with Jude for a while now. At first, she stuck to her pre-planned itinerary, but eventually, she just followed his lead.
Jude seemed to have already been to every place she had planned to visit. If something wasn't worth seeing, Jude had alternative suggestions—and they always seemed to match her preferences perfectly.
When they arrived at a small alley with fruit wine shops, Jude let go of her hand.
"You'll love the fruit wine here. Give it a try."
Callista picked three different kinds. The sweet and tangy flavors instantly won her over.
Though the wine wasn't strong, it left her slightly tipsy. When they left, Jude naturally held her hand again.
"Watch your step. Follow my footsteps."
Once they exited the alley, Jude let go of her hand as they walked side by side back to the hotel. As the evening deepened, Callista broke the silence. "Jude, I'm not young anymore."
"Funny, neither am I."
"That's not what I mean. You have plenty of other options—women who are younger, prettier," she explained.
"But none of them are you."
Callista stopped walking. "You know… I had a miscarriage once. Before that, I went through an induction because of a fetal halt. The doctor said it's unlikely I'll ever get pregnant again. You…"
Before she could finish, Jude pulled her into a warm embrace. His voice was soft but firm as he said, "That's all in the past. Don't dwell on it anymore."
The tender touch on the softest part of her heart made Callista's nose sting.
"Let's go. Back to the room," he said. Callista nodded and followed him into the elevator.
Her phone vibrated. It was a string of messages from Jane.
"Callista, can you meet Luther once? He's in terrible shape, and he's pushing himself to the brink.
"I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please, have pity on me.
"See him one last time. After this, I promise I won't let him bother you again."
