The Miracle of You

It wasn’t difficult to do an investigation on Hailey at that time. With the power and wealth of the Callahan family, it was relatively easy to get everything he needed to know.

Not only that, but his father even helped him with some crucial events.

–

[Thirteen years ago…]

–

“You were… what now?” Christian said blankly.

Gregory Callahan sat in his leather chair in front of a majestic mahogany desk strategically placed before a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the gardens below. Warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the silk curtains, casting a soft glow on the room’s polished oak floor.

He leaned back in his chair and took a long drag from the smoldering cigar tucked between his fingers. “I was one of the major investors for their hotel business a long time ago. That girl hadn’t been born during that time. I should know.” He gave a lopsided smile. “After all, both their wives were still pregnant before things got awry.”

That caught Christian’s interest. “What do you mean ‘before things got awry’?” he inquired. “Did something happen? Or perhaps it’s linked to the newspaper article detailing the death of one of the original owners?”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Greg nodded. “You mean Mason Parker,” he clarified.

“Yes. Based on my findings so far, I have deduced that he is Hailey’s biological father,” Christian said. “She isn’t so subtle, after all. The last name that she wants to change is exactly the same.”

“That girl is still grieving on the inside for her real parents.” Greg shook his head in dismay. “A pity, I’d say. I cannot comprehend why. She has never even met them. There is no reason for her to be so emotional.”

“Presumably, she even ran away because of them since she threw away the van Gowen name,” Christian mused. “It’s a bit fascinating, isn’t it, father? How can a person even miss someone whom they had never seen, touched, or talked to?”

Greg scoffed. “Such emotions are unnecessary. I can understand grieving over one’s child or even the family that she grew up with, but not this one. It’s ridiculous. She threw away a bright future, all for some misplaced sense of justice.”

Christian nodded slowly. “It is indeed a shame. But what if we can use this to our advantage?”

That made Greg’s gaze shift towards his son’s eyes. “Speak,” he said, sounding a little intrigued.

“Wasn’t it you, father, who always said that the greatest importance of a subordinate is their undying loyalty?”

His words processed inside Greg’s mind. “Ah,” he said. “So you mean to use that child and make her indebted to us, thereby assuring us of her loyalty.”

Christian nodded. “Isn’t it a foolproof plan, father? From what I’ve researched about her life and her skills, she can certainly be a valuable asset to our family. She was quite a diligent worker in her high school years. Isn’t she taking a business major at university right now?”

Greg nodded. “What you’re saying is plausible,” he acknowledged. “But the root of the matter is that girl’s response. Would she be willing to work for us?”

Christian smiled. “Well, a little blackmail wouldn’t hurt,” he suggested.

Greg studied his son’s expression for a moment. “You’re really interested in this girl, aren’t you? I’ve never seen you this invested in someone for a long time.”

“I am interested, but only because of her potential. No personal feelings are involved.”

“I see. However, I can’t bring myself to force her in any way or threaten her like you’re suggesting,” Greg said with a shake of his head. “Despite the benefits that you’re implying, I cannot do that to the girl who saved my daughter. Your own sister.”

“I am aware that she saved my sister.”

“Yet you want to use her for your own gain?”

“For our own gain, father.”

Greg sighed. For years, he had let his son get his way, so he couldn’t bring himself to refuse the request. It was clear that Christian really wanted to keep Hailey on their side and loyal to them, even if he had to resort to extreme measures.

“I can only promise her a position at the company once she graduates with the grades that I require,” Greg finally said after a moment of silence. “But the rest, I’ll leave it to you.”

Christian smiled. “Thank you, father. I’ll make sure that you won’t regret this. She’ll become a fine worker for the company.”

Greg eyed him carefully. “My only condition is that you don’t keep forcing her if she really does not want to. Loyalty is not gained through force, son. Both sides work for it. You have to show her that you’re worth her loyalty.”

“Sure.” The smile never left Christian’s face.

–

[Present Time]

–

“You admit it now, don’t you?” Christian said as he took a sip of wine from the glass the waiter had just offered him.

Camille stood next to him in a stiff posture, her gaze resting anywhere but on his face.

“So what?” she whispered. “Even so, it doesn’t matter. I don’t feel the same.”

“As it should be, because you’re mine.”

“I am not yours, Mr. Callahan.”

“Keep remembering the contract, Miss Parker. You are indeed mine.”

Camille shut her eyes, gritting her teeth silently.

Christian gave her a sideways glance, amusement dancing in his eyes. It was such a pleasure to see her break down inside. She was a fiery woman, but he could still wrap her around his little finger.

She would do anything at his behest as long as he told her to, as long as he occasionally used the method of blackmail. He had power over her and he drank in the sadistic pleasure of it.

Oh, how he couldn’t wait to break her even more.

This was only just the beginning, after all. There were many more things he wanted to see from her.

‘Michael McGregor is in love with you, and your heart is wavering for him,’ he thought to himself as he kept watching Camille’s crestfallen expression. ‘There’s more pain in separation rather than keeping one’s distance. I wonder how heartbroken you will be once the time comes that you’ll have to betray him?’

The thought of it made Christian chuckle inwardly.

‘Soon, you will realize that you have no choice but to stay with me, and only me.’