The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 44- Callum

Under the scorching sun, Janet stood by the roadside, watching the place where Charles had disappeared. Her chest felt tight, like a breath stuck somewhere, unable to go up or down.

She didn’t want to fool herself into thinking he cared about her. He was a man blessed with countless virtues—an extraordinary man. And she? She was just his sister-in-law. Yeah, what right did she have to harbor any hopes?

Only after stepping out of the car did Janet realize how unprepared she was. In her haste, she hadn’t brought any money at all. Damn Charles for leaving her alone like this. How was she supposed to get home now?

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she bit back the sobs. She had never known men could be as petty and narrow-minded as women—sometimes even worse. Especially men like Charles, the mysterious type. She would never truly know what expression lay beneath his smiles.

As Janet wandered uncertainly on the street, watching the passing cars, she felt embarrassed. There was no way she could just walk all the way back to the company, right?

Resigned, she started walking forward along the noisy street. At that moment, an unexpected small figure suddenly bumped into her legs and grabbed onto them.

Janet looked down and saw a confident little boy of maybe three or four years old, dressed in the latest trendy style.

He wore a silver casual blazer over a silky white shirt, paired with jeans. Though small, his delicate features revealed innate charm and spirit.

His captivating amber eyes were impossible to look away from.

At that very first glance, Janet felt her heart skip a beat—a strange, wonderful feeling. A child...

"Big sister, you’re so pretty!" the boy said with a bright smile, unabashedly showing his delight as he held onto Janet’s leg.

Janet bent down, gently touching the adorable little guy. Her lips curved into an involuntary smile. How did such a small kid already know how to compliment her?

"Little one, why are you all alone here? Where are your parents?" Janet asked, noticing there was no adult nearby. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

The boy looked serious beyond his years, tugging at Janet and pointing to the café across the street. "They fought and left me behind!"

His shining amber eyes held an unusual light, leaving Janet momentarily stunned. Who ever heard of parents fighting and abandoning their child?

The little guy seemed to like Janet’s gentle face inexplicably. His small hands rubbed against her, and instantly a sweet milky scent rose to Janet’s nose, gently stirring something deep inside her heart.

Janet picked him up naturally—and to her surprise, the boy planted a playful little kiss on her fair cheek, laughing happily.

"I’ll help you find them, okay? Your mom would be so worried if she couldn’t find you!"

Janet’s kind nature took over as she held the little boy and started walking toward the café he had pointed out. Normally, she wasn’t one to get close to strangers, but she couldn’t say no to a child.

"Actually, it’s Dad who’s more worried right now!"

The boy’s face lit up with a mischievous grin. As Janet carried him forward, he wrapped his tiny arms tightly around her neck and caught a scent on her—something very similar to his mommy’s.

"What’s your name?"

Janet gently asked, holding the child for the first time. An indescribable warmth and tenderness bloomed in her heart.

"My name’s Callum. Callum!"

The boy answered politely, his noble bearing shining through despite his tender age.

Janet held Callum as they entered the café, but she didn’t see the arguing parents he had mentioned. The little boy climbed up onto a cozy seat with the ease of someone who’d been there many times before, showing no signs of worry.

"Mommy will come back for me, I’m sure of it!" he said confidently.

As he spoke, he pointed behind Janet. She turned and saw a young woman about her age with large, expressive eyes—eyes that matched Callum’s perfectly. That’s when Janet realized this must be Callum’s mother.

Angela anxiously scanned the café, and when she spotted Callum sitting there so calmly, she hurried over and scooped him into her arms. She couldn’t believe how forgetful she’d been, leaving Callum behind in the heat of an argument with Shaun.

"Angela, sweetheart, where’s Daddy?" Callum poked his head out from Angela’s embrace, his big eyes searching for Shaun. When he didn’t see him, a mischievous grin spread across his face. Usually, Mommy was all wrapped up with Daddy, and he never got much attention—but now, with Angela ignoring him, Callum was secretly delighted.

"I don’t know. I managed to shake him off. Just the sight of him irritates me," Angela said with a pout, her words tinged with childish stubbornness. Janet was surprised to see such a young woman was already a mother to a three-year-old.

Only then did Angela notice Janet sitting opposite her—such a pretty girl, with a gentle and graceful aura. She suddenly realized Janet was the one who had brought Callum here.

Just before, when Angela came in with Callum, she unexpectedly saw Shaun chatting and laughing with a young woman. Looking closer, she recognized her as Callum’s kindergarten teacher. Enraged, Angela felt betrayed—how could Shaun be sneaking around with another woman behind her back?

Shaun was momentarily stunned when he saw Angela, then quickly broke away from the teacher and chased after Angela. In the scuffle, Callum was completely forgotten. Furious, Angela ran off, Shaun went after her, and poor Callum was left like air—completely ignored.

Callum wasn’t worried at all. In fact, he had a mischievous plan brewing. Every time Dad came to pick him up from kindergarten, he’d notice the young teacher flirting with Shaun. When he got home, he’d sneakily tattled to Angela. After all, Shaun, the "unqualified" dad, always sided with his little sister and mommy, but never with him!

Yesterday after school, Callum’s teacher had bravely asked Shaun out, but Shaun naturally declined. His heart was already full with his beloved wife at home, and he didn’t give other women a second glance. But the teacher used Callum as an excuse, and Shaun reluctantly agreed to meet her—only to unknowingly fall into the little boy’s trap. Shaun had even reported back to Angela! Did he even realize who he was meeting for?

"Your name is Janet, right? Thank you so much for bringing Callum back! You scared me half to death!" Angela looked at Janet with lingering worry, but her smile was warm and lively, just like her personality. Even though it was their first meeting, it didn’t stop them from instantly liking each other. And little Callum was already quite fond of Janet.

After just a few minutes, Janet had to rush back to the company. As she stood to leave, Angela kindly offered to give her a ride. Considering the awkward situation she was in, Janet didn’t refuse. Angela, holding Callum’s hand, and Janet, the two beautiful women and the little handsome boy, naturally became a bright scene in the café.

Janet was the first to step outside. Just as Angela was pushing the door open behind her, Janet caught a tall figure rushing past. Moments later, a deep, rich voice sounded.

"Qiqi, you really have no heart. I love you so much, and yet you don’t trust me!"

Before Janet stood a strikingly handsome, slightly roguish man. There was an undeniable dominance in his aura, mixed with a bit of childishness. Especially when he looked at Angela, his soft gaze seemed to drip with affection. Janet could see clearly the deep love this man had for the woman before him.

"Give me the car keys!" Angela wasn’t buying his act. She grabbed his suit jacket and pulled the keys from his pocket. Janet was a bit stunned—just moments ago Angela barely gave this handsome man a glance, but now she was flashing that signature smile of hers.

"Janet, come on, let’s go. I’ll give you a ride!" Angela said warmly.