Chapter 574: Mother and Daughter Reunion
"Not a chance!" Caleb shot back. "You know she's trouble, and you still want her near Candy? That's just asking for trouble. I can't let Candy get hurt."
Caleb wasn't about to take any risks.
"But she's different now. She's just a mom who's desperate."
Caleb shook his head. "You don't know her like I do. She's got you fooled. People don't change that easy. Grace is just putting on a show."
"But if you don't give her a shot, how do you know she's faking it? Caleb, I'm telling you this not 'cause I'm some saint, but 'cause, as a mom, I get the pain of losing a kid."
"She did this to herself."
"Yeah, no one's saying she didn't, but she's been through enough. No need to push her over the edge, right? If this keeps up, she'll either die or lose her mind. Can you just think about it for me? I have nightmares about her every night."
"I won't let her come near you again," Caleb promised.
Susan shook her head. "Even if she stays away, I can't stop thinking about it. Caleb, I'm begging you, do it for me, okay?"
Caleb really wanted to say no, his face a mix of frowns and sighs.
"Caleb..."
Finally, he sighed. "Alright, for you."
The next day.
At the coffee shop.
Grace had been waiting in the corner forever. As soon as Caleb walked in, she rushed over. "You're finally here. Where's Candy? You said I could see her. Where is she? Caleb, did you change your mind?"
"I don't want you to see her."
Grace's eyes widened.
"But I promised Susan. I'm doing this for her," Caleb added.
"Yes, I'm very grateful to her. So, let me see Candy, please, Caleb..."
"Grace, I'm warning you, don't put on an act, or the Bailey family will pay for it."
"You know I can't fight you, so what are you worried about? Caleb, I'm already scared, I really don't dare anymore. Now I'm just a poor mom wanting to see her daughter, I have no other demands. I'm not acting, really, I swear."
"You better not be, or I won't let you off."
"Okay."
"I can give you visitation rights to Candy, but you can only see her once a week, and it must be in my presence."
"Okay, I'll agree to whatever you say. Can I see Candy now?"
Caleb signaled, and a bodyguard brought Candy in.
"Candy!" Grace shouted, rushing over and hugging her daughter tight. "Candy, I missed you so much. Really missed you so much it broke my heart. Did you miss me? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you before. I really regret it, I won't hit you again. Candy, can you give me a chance?"
Grace pleaded tearfully, and Candy's emotions broke down too. She hugged her tight. "Mommy, I missed you too. I don't blame you."
"Thank you, Candy. Now I can see you, my precious baby. I really know I was wrong."
Caleb, watching the mother and daughter embrace, felt a tug at his heart.
A mother's love can't be faked. Even though Grace had done so many awful things before, she still loved her daughter.
And Candy loved her too.
He always knew he couldn't keep them apart forever. That'd be unfair to Candy and just plain cruel.
"Mommy, don't cry." Candy sweetly wiped Grace's tears away.
"Okay, I won't cry."
"Mommy, you've lost a lot of weight."
"That's 'cause I couldn't see you. Now that I see you, I'm super happy."
"Daddy, get Mommy something to eat. She's too thin."
"Alright."
Caleb ordered some sandwiches and toast, and Candy fed Grace bite by bite. "Mommy, is it good?"
"Yeah, it's good."
"Mommy, you need to eat more."
"Candy, you eat more too." Grace fed her back. "Candy, have you been doing well?"
"Yeah, I've been good. Oliver treats me well, and Susan does too."
"That's great." Grace smiled. "Caleb, thank Susan for me, thank her for convincing you, and thank her for taking care of Candy."
"You should definitely thank her." Caleb nodded.
He never thought he'd hear Grace thank Susan in his lifetime.
But he didn't let his guard down. He still wasn't sure if Grace was acting. She was a tricky one.
The mother and daughter spent the afternoon together.
"We gotta head home now." Caleb stood up.
"Can't we stay a bit longer?" Grace held Candy's hand, not wanting to let go.
"Susan's got dinner ready."
"Alright." Not wanting to upset Caleb, Grace agreed. "When can I see Candy again?"
"I said once a week. I'll set it up with you next week."
"Okay, I'll wait. Candy, be good with Susan, okay? She's good to you, you should be grateful."
"I know, Mommy. Mommy, you should eat more at home too. Next time we meet, I want to see a chubbier Mommy."
"Okay, I promise."
"Don't go looking for Susan again," Caleb reminded.
"I only went to her to ask to see Candy. Now that I've seen her, I won't bother her again, don't worry." Grace smiled.
Grace followed them out of the coffee shop, watching the car drive away.
Her gentle smile slowly turned cold and sinister, 'Susan, I won't let you take my daughter!'
"Oliver, Oliver, Susan..." Candy cheerfully burst into the house.
"You're back." Susan had just come out of the kitchen when Candy rushed to her legs and hugged her. "My mommy asked me to thank you, Susan."
Susan's heart warmed. "No need to be so polite."
It was the first time Candy had been so enthusiastic and close to her.
"Candy, you're very happy." Oliver walked over.
"Yeah, Oliver, I saw my mommy, of course, I'm happy. Now I have daddy, mommy, Susan, and you. I'm the happiest little princess in the world." Candy said.
"Yeah, Candy is a little princess. We all love you very much."
"Oliver, play Barbie dolls with me. I'm so happy today."
"Okay, let's go."
"As long as Candy's happy." Susan said contentedly. "Was the meeting smooth today?"
"Yeah." Caleb nodded.
"Grace has really changed, right?"
"I'm not sure about that, but with me watching, she wouldn't dare do anything. Susan, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for convincing me to let them meet. Seeing Candy so happy, it was all worth it. I think I made the right call."
"Yeah, for parents, nothing's more important than their kid's happiness. By doing this, you've also resolved a knot in Candy's heart."
Caleb cupped Susan's face, his eyes soft. "Besides, you won't have nightmares anymore, right?"
"Yeah, I'll definitely sleep well tonight." Susan nodded with relief.
"But, aren't you jealous?"
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