Chapter 496 I've Already Let Go
"If you spill the beans, I'm toast." Austin knew Charles was threatening him, but it still freaked him out. "Daisy's just starting to warm up to me. If my folks catch wind of this, it's back to square one."
Charles took a swig of his drink. "If you want me to keep quiet, zip it."
"Gotcha!" Austin mimed zipping his lips.
Charles didn't say another word, just kept knocking back drinks.
Seeing Charles still looking bummed, Austin took a shot. "Hey, I got an idea to get things sparking again with Daphne."
Charles was skeptical. Since when did he say he wanted to patch things up with Daphne?
"Have a kid now," Austin suggested. "If it's a boy, you can trick Daphne's daughter into your family. If it's a girl, you can marry her off, and boom, you're connected to Daphne again."
"What if they're both boys?" Charles thought Austin was off his rocker.
"That's even easier! Have your son chase after Daphne's son!" Austin blurted out.
Charles looked away, clearly done with this conversation.
"What's with that look?" Austin felt snubbed.
"Compared to Daphne's kids, your kid's easier to fool," Charles said with a slight grin, his handsome face showing some emotion. "And Molly is already there."
Austin got jittery. "You wouldn't dare."
"I would."
"If you let your son near Molly, I'll wreck you." Austin didn't want anyone messing with Molly.
"You guard your kids like a hawk; don't you think Daphne and Benjamin would do the same?" Charles shot back, all logical. "Benjamin's even more protective than you."
Austin had no comeback.
"I'm just throwing out ideas. Whether it works or not, not my problem," Austin said casually, then pointed out. "Besides, you don't even have a wife right now; where are these kids coming from?"
Charles gave him a look but stayed silent.
His mood had been all over the place tonight, but after chatting with Austin, he had some clarity.
And he made a decision.
"Marriage alliance."
Austin thought he misheard. "Did you say marriage alliance?"
"Yeah."
"For the sake of kids?"
"Nope."
Charles didn't care about kids.
If his partner wanted kids, Charles would handle it. If not, no biggie.
"When there's no other way out, I'll consider a marriage alliance." Charles suddenly realized.
In this circle, it was all about interests, and love was pretty rare.
Most people hook up because it's convenient and beneficial, so they form a marriage alliance.
If it ever came to that, he'd go for it, but Charles would be upfront. Like, he still had someone in his heart. If she could deal with that, they'd marry; if not, they'd part ways.
Austin was fixated on one thing. "You sure about this?"
"Yep."
"For real?"
"Yep."
"Alright then." Austin didn't push it. This kind of stuff was pretty standard in their world.
The next morning, Charles headed back to Ivrea City.
Hayden and Laura were at home, waiting for him. They all knew he had gone to see Daphne and Benjamin tie the knot.
Honestly, they were all pretty worried about him.
"Charles," Rex called out, concern etched on his face as soon as he saw him walk in.
Marcus, Hayden, and Laura all turned their eyes to him.
This scene felt like déjà vu, just like the day Charles brought Daphne home.
"What's up?" Charles stayed cool as a cucumber and walked in.
Marcus looked older, more worry lines on his face. "Did you see Daphne?"
"Yeah."
"Did you talk?"
"Yeah." Charles could mask his feelings in front of them. "I've moved on."
Rex was a bit taken aback. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"You didn't stir up any trouble, did you?" Hayden asked.
"What are you talking about?" Marcus scolded Hayden. He'd been noticeably more protective of Charles lately. "Is Charles that kind of person? Don't project your own behavior onto him."
"Dad." Hayden pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Cut the crap." Marcus was pretty stern.
Marcus's thoughts were simple. Charles was already down; he shouldn't have to deal with more crap at home. He still cared deeply for his grandson.
Hayden glanced at Charles, who was as chill as ever.
"Leave us for a bit." Marcus was still worried about Charles and wanted a one-on-one. "I need to talk to Charles."
The others exchanged looks and left the room.
Seeing Charles, who looked noticeably thinner, Marcus felt a pang of heartache. He wondered if things would have been different if he had been tougher on Charles back then.
"I know you haven't moved on," Marcus said, cutting to the chase.
Not just Marcus, but Hayden and the others knew too.
"Feelings aren't something you can just switch off," Marcus said, trying to comfort him. "I know what you're worried about. Don't stress; as long as I'm around, no one can force you into marriage."
Charles's eyes flickered. He wasn't even sure if he had moved on.
But seeing Daphne happy with Benjamin had somehow loosened the chains around his heart.
"Thanks," Charles said.
"If you really want to thank me, live well," Marcus advised, having a serious talk with him for the first time. "I don't have any big wishes, just that you live well."
Charles nodded.
They talked for a long time, from the past to the present, from when Daphne first came to when she left.
Finally, Marcus said seriously, "If you meet a girl you like in the future, love her well. Don't do things you'll regret, and don't hurt her."
"I get it," Charles replied.
"I have said enough." Marcus was generally satisfied with Charles, except for his confusion in matters of the heart. "Go put your stuff away."
Charles nodded and headed out with his luggage.
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