Chapter 64

“What do you mean the meeting was called off?” Caleb shouted, his voice echoing through the office. His face was flushed with anger as he glared at Lilly’s assistant, who had just come to inform him that the crucial meeting he had traveled for was abruptly canceled. Caleb had meticulously planned his schedule around this important meeting, and now he was being told it wasn’t happening.

“My granddaughter wouldn’t cancel such an important gathering without a valid reason!” he exclaimed, frustration evident in his tone.

“Sir... sir, it was her husband, Mr. Kane, who called off the meeting on her behalf,” Karina, Lilly’s assistant, stammered, her voice quivering under Caleb’s intense scrutiny. She could feel the weight of his disappointment and anger.

“Alexander did what?” Caleb’s eyes widened with disbelief.

“Yes, sir. He called and canceled the meeting,” Karina repeated, her hands trembling slightly as she held onto her clipboard.

Caleb clenched his teeth, his jaw tightening as he processed this information. “Hand me my phone, Victor,” he commanded sharply, turning to his loyal aide who stood nearby.

Victor promptly handed over the cell phone, sensing the urgency in Caleb’s demand. Caleb dialed Lilly’s number with quick, precise movements. Alexander was already exerting control over every aspect of her life. Why did he feel the need to interfere with her professional responsibilities too? The phone rang for a few seconds before someone picked up.

“Lilly,” Caleb began, his voice stern.

“It’s Alexander,” came the calm response from the other end of the line.

Caleb pulled the phone away from his ear, double-checking the number on the screen to ensure he had dialed correctly. Frowning, he placed the phone back to his ear. “Hand the phone to Lilly. What gives you the right to answer her calls?” he demanded angrily, furious that Alexander had the audacity to pick up when he saw it was her grandfather calling.

“Because I’m her husband, and what’s hers is mine,” Alexander said calmly, his gaze fixed on Lilly, who was sleeping peacefully beside him. He spoke softly to avoid waking her, his tone steady and unflappable.

Caleb’s grip tightened on the phone, his knuckles turning white. “Give her the phone this instant!” he shouted, his patience wearing thin.

“I can’t,” Alexander replied, his voice still calm.

“What did you just say?” Caleb’s voice rose in incredulity. The young man was pushing all his buttons, and he regretted not ensuring they divorced when he had the chance.

“She is sleeping,” Alexander explained, glancing again at the sleeping Lilly, his expression softening as he watched her.

“Sleeping?” Caleb could hardly believe what he was hearing. “Victor, what time is it?”

“10 am, sir,” Victor responded promptly.

“10 am, and she is still asleep?” Caleb’s voice was filled with disbelief and irritation.

“Yes, grandfather-in-law,” Alexander replied, maintaining his calm demeanor.

“My granddaughter wouldn’t be sleeping at this hour. You must have done something to her,” Caleb accused, his mind racing with suspicions.

Alexander looked at the sleeping Lilly again, tracing the faint marks he had left on her neck earlier that morning. If making love to his wife and leaving her exhausted was the same thing as drugging her, then he would gladly continue to do so, he thought wryly.

“So now you’re silent, you insolent young man!” Caleb shouted. “Mark my words, she will leave you once her feelings for you fade,” he threatened. His granddaughter didn’t need him; she was an heiress with her own strength and independence.

Alexander’s face darkened at the statement. He hadn’t wanted to marry or have a child due to past experiences, but after finding and loving Lilly, he couldn’t imagine letting her go. If she ever tried to leave him, he would never allow it and would rather keep her confined at home.

“And you think I will just let her go?” Alexander asked, his voice filled with quiet determination.

“We’ll see about that. Meanwhile, I want to know why you canceled her meeting. What right do you have?” Caleb demanded, his voice regaining its authoritative tone.

“I canceled it on her behalf because she’s not coming to the office today. You took her away from me and our daughter for three weeks to secure an international contract. Now, I want to spend the weekend with my family,” Alexander explained, his voice firm yet calm.

For the first time, Caleb was speechless. He had indeed separated the family for three weeks, leaving his great-granddaughter without a mother. It was only right for them to spend the weekend together.

Caleb cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure. “Don’t you dare answer her phone again if I call. I will make sure she leaves you,” he threatened before abruptly hanging up.

Alexander stared at the phone with a cold expression, then turned his gaze to Lilly. “Are you planning to leave me?” he whispered softly, though he already knew the answer in his heart.

***

“Daddy!” Viola called out, her tiny voice filled with excitement as she stood up from where she was playing with her toys and ran towards her father.

Alexander picked her up and hugged her tightly. “What were you doing, my little one?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Playing with my toys,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with joy.

The nannies discreetly left the father and daughter alone in the room, sensing they needed some private time together.

“Is there something else you want to do besides playing with your toys?” Alexander inquired, a smile playing on his lips.

“Yes,” Viola nodded eagerly.

“What is it?” he asked, curious about her answer.

“I want to play with Daddy,” she said, her tiny hands gripping his shirt. “But don’t you have work today?” she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

Alexander smiled at her sweetness and thoughtfulness. “Daddy and Mommy don’t have work today, so you have us both to yourself.”

She placed her little hands on his cheeks, looking into his eyes. “Really?” she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.

“Yes,” he confirmed, his heart melting at her innocence.

“Yay!” Viola cheered, clapping her hands.

Alexander couldn’t help but smile at her joy. “But where is Mommy?” she asked, glancing towards the door.

“She’s still sleeping,” he explained, adjusting her slightly in his arms.

“Okay. I want to go shopping with Mommy when she wakes up,” Viola announced with determination.

“Shopping?” Alexander echoed, surprised by her request.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Daddy. It’s great-grandfather’s birthday next week, and I haven’t gotten him a gift yet. He’ll be unhappy if I don’t get him something.”

Sometimes, Alexander forgot how young his daughter was because she often acted so mature. Her awareness of such things at her age amazed him, but he loved how smart and thoughtful she was.

“My good girl,” he said, stroking her hair gently. “So, what game do you want Daddy to play with you?”

She thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up. “I want you to bake with me.”

“But that’s not a game,” he said, taken aback by her request.

“Yes, but it’s what I want to do,” she insisted, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Baking?” Alexander was surprised. He hadn’t expected that.

“Yes, Daddy. I want you to teach me how to bake. There are many things I want us to make together.”

Alexander doubted his baking skills; the last time he baked was in high school for a project. But for his daughter, he was willing to try anything.

“Alright, baking it is,” he said, smiling at her.

“Yay!” Viola cheered again, hugging him tightly.

“Let’s go to the kitchen then,” Alexander suggested, carrying her towards the kitchen.

As they entered the kitchen, Viola’s eyes widened with excitement.