In the crowd, her eyes were drawn to the man just outside the garden,
holding Callum in his arms, a tender smile gracing his handsome face.
Charles was patiently teaching Callum some basic combat moves—
hand in hand, step by step.
The little boy mimicked him earnestly, throwing neat punches with surprising precision.
Every time he looked up at Charles with those bright, admiring eyes,
Janet stood there in the hallway, quietly watching them amidst the stream of guests.
Charles loved Callum—anyone could see that from the gentle look in his eyes.
He truly adored children.
She remembered how, when she'd told him she was pregnant,
he had been more anxious and excited than she was.
It was the kind of joy and nervous pride that came from becoming a father for the first time.
Even after the child was gone, he never stopped cherishing her.
Thinking back, Janet realized—with a pang in her heart—
that she had never really given him anything in return.
