Chapter 29 No Backing Out

Charlotte echoed Sofia's words from before, "Don't even think about backing out." "I won't back out, I swear." Charlotte wasn't sure if her cooking was to Luke's taste, but seeing them relish it brought her joy. Luke praised her cooking enthusiastically, "I wish I could have your cooking every day." Sofia, rolling her eyes, teased him, "Then hurry up and marry her, so you'll stop bothering me daily." "If she agrees, I'll plan a wedding she'll never forget." Sofia warned him playfully, "You'd better treat Charlotte right. If you don't, you'll answer to me." Luke looked at Charlotte with pure affection. "I could never mistreat her." Sofia tried to avoid the mushy scene. "Alright, that's enough. I don't need to see your lovey-dovey display here." Charlotte changed the subject. "Frank gave me the money. I'm thinking of buying the villa next to yours tomorrow, but I don't know who to contact." "Don't worry, I'll handle it." Charlotte gave a nod of understanding. "Alright, thanks for handling that." Sofia feigned irritation. "If you thank me one more time, I might just have to thump you." Charlotte laughed. "Okay, I'll zip it." "That's better. We're too close for formalities like that." "Understood." In Charlotte's mind, she acknowledged the need to adapt to the customs of the house she was in. Meanwhile, Luke, watching their interaction, thought of his friend Caelan, wondering if Lorna had exasperated her brother today. Lost in thought, his phone buzzed with a call from Caelan. "Aren't you at home?" "Nope. Something up?" "Just a little something. Where are you right now?" "Hang on a moment." Luke asked Sofia and Charlotte for their input, and with their approval, he informed Caelan of his location. "Why don't you come over?" Caelan, silent, ended the call and hurried over with his sister. Luke greeted them at the door, noticing Lorna's tear-streaked face indicating a tough day. "Come in." Following Luke, Caelan and Lorna entered. Lorna's eyes widened in surprise at seeing Charlotte. "You're here?" Luke slid into a seat beside Charlotte. "Why shouldn't she be?" At that moment, Andy's voice echoed, "Daddy, can I have my milk?" Lilya joined in. "Daddy, me too, please." "Daddy?" Caelan was utterly confused. He had been away for only two months, and now Luke seemingly had children. Luke's laugh filled the room. "No need for you to call me 'Daddy'." "You're messing with me, aren't you?" As Luke's laughter faded, his smile lingered. "So, why did you come?" Caelan pulled Lorna closer to Charlotte. "Apologize." Caelan was aware of Luke's dating life. The day Luke introduced Charlotte at home, Linda's casual chat with their mother ended up affecting Caelan. His mother wouldn't have been so keen on him finding a girlfriend if not for Luke's influence. Lorna, visibly reluctant, had thought she was there to apologize to Luke. She was taken aback to find Charlotte there too. In her mind, she questioned why Charlotte had the right to be dining with Luke. Caelan was impatient with Lorna's delay. "Apologize to Charlotte." "Sorry..." came Lorna's soft reply. "Louder." "Sorry." Charlotte, ever magnanimous, sought to ease the tension. "It's alright. It's good to talk things out. I forgive you." Humiliated, Lorna felt small having to apologize to someone she saw as a rival. Caelan, visibly irked, pushed her aside. "Be more respectful in the future. Think before you act." Lorna was deeply hurt. "I get it." "Now leave. Why are you still here?" Caelan barked. Lorna cast a bitter look at Charlotte and her children. The sight of Charlotte, a mother, attempting to charm Luke struck her as utterly shameless. Caelan, noticing her behavior, slapped her. "Remember my words. It won't be just a slap next time." Lorna, shocked, held her face. She couldn't believe her brother, who had always cherished her, would humiliate her over a stranger. "Get out!" With tears flowing, Lorna dashed out, promising herself not to forgive Charlotte easily. She blamed Charlotte for everything that had happened. Luke spoke plainly, "I'm glad I was here this time. But if this happens again, I can't let her stay." Luke and Caelan, who shared a childhood, had a bond with no secrets. Caelan, troubled, apologized to Charlotte, "I didn't expect her to cause such trouble in my absence. I'm sorry, I should have been more responsible." "It's okay, don't worry about it." After the minor mishap was resolved, Caelan remained curious about how Luke suddenly had two kids. Luke, while keeping Charlotte's previous marriage a secret, shared how the children became a part of their lives and their relationship. Caelan nodded in realization. "Ah, I see. You're really fortunate. But lately, my mom won't stop urging me to find a girlfriend. I thought she was joking when she said your kids call her 'Grandma', but it turns out it's true." Luke affectionately put his arm around Charlotte. "It's quite a twist of fate." Caelan, slightly taken aback by their intimacy, teased him, "Cut out the lovey-dovey act, or I'm out of here." Charlotte warmly invited him. "He's just joking. Come, join us for dinner if you haven't eaten." "You're always so kind." Caelan accepted and sat down. Embracing his children, Luke reflected, "You know, my mom does have a point. This feeling is wonderful." Caelan, a bit exasperated, thought about his mother's relentless calls to find a girlfriend. It wasn't as easy as just deciding to find one.