Marrying My Father&# Chapter 42: Defending Love

Chapter 42: Defending Love

Chapter 42: Defending Love

Leina’s hands trembled with both anger and fear as she looked at her son. "Respect? Callian, how can you ask

to respect the woman who nearly cost

my son?"

Callian stood tall; he wrapped his arms protectively around Eira’s shoulders.

"Mother, you have to understand—Eira is not to bla for any of this. She’s suffered too."

"Suffered?" Leina frowned. "She hasn’t had to watch her son lying unconscious, wondering if he’d ever wake up. She hasn’t—"

"Enough!" Callian’s voice was calm but sharp, leaving no room for argunt. "I love her. I chose her. And I would make the sa choice a hundred tis over. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept it."

Leina’s face relaxed for a mont. "She’s changed you, Callian. You were never this... defiant."

Eira’s voice broke the silence. "I didn’t an to co between you two. I didn’t want any of this to happen."

Leina scoffed, dismissing Eira’s words. "If you truly cared, you’d leave. You’d walk away and let my son have the life he deserves."

"Mother," Callian said in a really exhausting tone, "this is the life I deserve. A life with Eira by my side."

Leina’s shoulders slumped as she looked away, tears brimming in her eyes.

She shook her head, still unwilling to accept it, and left without another word.

Callian held Eira close, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

"I’m sorry," Eira whispered, "I never wanted to cause trouble between you and your mother."

"This isn’t your fault," he reassured her. "So people just need ti to accept things, and I’ll help her see."

~___~

That evening, Callian was released from the hospital, but instead of going ho, he had other plans.

"Where are we going?" Eira asked, surprised, as he directed their driver toward his office.

"There’s sothing I need to handle," he replied. "It won’t take long."

"Bu—"

"Please, go ho and rest. I will be right back."

Once he arrived at his office, his assistant was already waiting with a stack of papers in her hands and a concerned look on her face.

"Sir, I didn’t expect you back so soon...you’re alive," she said, eyeing Callian.

"Just tell

what’s going on," Callian instructed, taking a seat behind his desk.

She took a deep breath before she began. "The headlines are... troubling, sir. The press is all over the incident with Henry. But now they’re focusing on Eira."

Callian’s eyes narrowed. "What do you an?"

"Vanesa... she leaked certain photos to the press. Photos of Eira—showing signs of her being sexually abused. Bruises, cuts... everything. They made it look like it was her own will."

"Fuck!" Callian slamd his hand.

The assistant continued in a tone that seed uncomfortable.

"They’re accusing her of being a gold digger, suggesting she’s using you to elevate her status. The dia has painted her as a manipulative person—claiming she’s trying to play the victim to gain sympathy."

Callian’s fist clenched. "And Vanesa? She’s spreading these lies?"

"Yes, and she’s implying that Eira’s injuries are exaggerated or even faked. She’s made it sound as if Eira is only after your wealth and position."

Callian stood, crossing his hands. "None of what they’re saying is true... and I won’t let them continue this sar campaign against her."

The assistant took a deep breath. "Callian, the public’s starting to turn. People are questioning

Eira’s character, and with Vanesa’s influence, it’s spreading quickly. If we don’t act soon... it may ruin her reputation completely."

Callian’s jaw tightened. "I won’t let that happen. Eira’s suffered enough."

"What do you want

to do?" the assistant asked, while eting his eyes, waiting.

"First, we’re countering this," Callian stated. "I want statents out in the morning—official ones. No vague answers, no sugarcoating. Make it clear that any claims of Eira’s character are slander."

"Yes, sir. I can start drafting sothing right away," she nodded.

"And as for Vanesa... I want her cut off," he continued in a colder tone. "I want every partnership, every sponsorship tied to her to dissolve, and I don’t care what it takes. Make it clear that she’s not to ss with

or with Eira ever again."

The assistant hesitated. "Sir, this might bring more attention... Are you sure?"

"More attention?" he scoffed. "I’ll take every ounce of scrutiny they throw at

if it ans protecting her." His eyes darkened. "And then... I want Henry dealt with."

She blinked, slightly caught off guard. "You an...?"

"He’s the reason all of this started. His twisted gas, his obsession with Eira’s mother—this all traces back to him. I want every single detail on him dug up more. Every skeleton he’s tried to hide. Find it, and bring it to ."

The assistant nodded, understanding him.

"Understood. We’ll uncover everything."

Callian’s voice softened, but his glare remained the sa. "I don’t want him just silenced. I want him ruined. I want him to know he ssed with the wrong people."

"I’ll make it happen," she assured him, putting down notes quickly.

"And... about Eira’s teacher. I need all the information you could get about him. Yes. He’s the one who hurt her when she was younger. I want everything on him. Where he is now, what he’s doing... I don’t care how old it is. No one gets to hurt her without consequences."

"I’ll look into it," she said softly. "And if we find anything actionable?"

"Then we make sure he’s held accountable. Publicly, legally—whatever it takes." He exhaled, looking down at his clenched fists.

"Eira’s suffered more than anyone knows. No one else will get away with hurting her. Not again."

The assistant stood there a mont, admiring Callian’s love for Eira. "You’re really willing to fight this battle for her, aren’t you?"

"I’d fight a hundred more if it ant she’d be safe." His voice softened. "She deserves that much."

She nodded again. "Then we’ll make sure she has the life she deserves—free from people like Henry and Vanesa."

"Exactly," Callian agreed. He straightened up, looking her in the eye. "But rember, this stays between us. The last thing I need is for Eira to think she’s the cause of all this. She blas herself enough already."

"Of course. I’ll handle it discreetly," she assured him.

"Thank you. I know I’m asking a lot."

She gave him a small smile. "It’s nothing, sir. Eira’s lucky to have soone like you by her side. You also survived the coma... we all thought you were dead."

"So nice of you."

"Of course; we were joking, but Eira is really lucky."

He looked away. "I’m the lucky one. She’s worth every bit of this."

Just then, his phone buzzed with a ssage from Eira. -Are you coming ho soon?- it read.

He glanced at it and then at his assistant. "I’ll leave the rest in your hands. I have soone waiting for ."

"Of course. I’ll keep you updated."

As he turned to leave, Callian paused, glancing back. "Make sure no one underestimates her again. They’ll soon understand that hurting her ans dealing with ."

"Understood," the assistant replied with a nod.

With that, Callian walked out.