19. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Shin
M y knees ached against the wooden floor as I kneeled before the photos of Sulien and his mother, Eun. My eyes closed as I sunk my teeth into my lower lip, doing my best not to come undone at the knowledge that I had survived everyone I’d ever loved.
My chest constricted as I tried to breathe, and though I wanted to keep my head bowed for prayer, today, that weight seemed too heavy to bear alone. I apologized to my loved ones for being rude as I tipped my head back, trying to rationalize how this was what my life had become.
For over two decades, the Seos and Voltarises had been mortal enemies. It was the way Flynn Voltaris had decided the world should work and what America’s top hero said went. That alone wouldn’t have been too bad. Flynn’s hubris was bound to be his undoing, and that made him less than worthy of being my adversary. Then, he’d entered into an arranged marriage with Ruby. Between their endless pockets and boundless connections, they controlled everything–hospitals, universities, banks, even grocery stores, and that was what made the life of a villain a hard one.
When Sulien said he had started dating the youngest Voltaris, I was apprehensive, to say the least. I tried to talk sense into him, but my boy was stubborn. And if I could go back in time, I would have been more supportive of the relationship. If I had been more enthusiastic about their courtship, would he have come over more?
Sulien was busy, and I was partially to blame.
I’d put a lot of weight on his shoulders with my diagnosis, but I always told him he didn’t have to help. Unfortunately, my boy was a hero at heart, and I needed help. Despite the fact that Gianna could have paid for my treatments, she refused. She also cut my salary; I’d been lucky that she let me continue living here.
I’d told Sulien all of that in hopes that he’d understand why I wasn’t going to pursue treatment. I was going to let the cancer overtake me; that way, I wouldn’t burden my son. But he refused.
For years, he was all work and no play. That was until she came along. Thanks to Callie’s last name, I didn’t approve of their relationship, and I’d made that known. Her father had destroyed the integrity of the heroing career, making it nothing more than a show for the public. But I should have trusted Sulien’s judgment because Callie wasn’t like her father. She seemed blissfully unaware of the seedy underside of heroing, the one her father had all but pioneered. And, just as my son had promised, she was kind .
Since we had spoken on Sunday, she’d come over every day to spend time with me. The visits never seemed premeditated. Instead, she’d call me and ask if I was busy. Even if I had been in the middle of something, I would have said I was free just to see her.
I’d always wanted a daughter, and while my bond with Callie wasn’t quite that, I couldn’t thank Sulien enough for putting her in my life. If given the choice, I’d rather have him, but it wasn’t for me to decide who lived or died, and it was just like him to make sure I had someone to hold on to.
I heaved in a breath, one so deep it hurt my chest. Swallowing hard, I looked back down. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted my phone, and that’s when I realized I’d yet to receive my daily call from Callie.
My gaze stayed trained on the phone as if that alone would make her call. After a moment of silence, I reached for the device and dialed her number.
She’d added herself to my contacts, but I’d never liked using that feature of my phone. If someone was important to you, remembering the seven numbers required to reach them was nothing.
I held my breath as I placed the phone to my ear, counting each melodic trill as if the speed at which she answered would give me information she herself wouldn’t.
Once… Twice… The line clicked just as the third ring started.
“Shin? Are you okay?” Callie said, her voice far rougher than it ever deserved to be.
My pulse spiked, and I pressed a hand to my chest as if that could calm my heart.
“You call me every day,” I said, not wanting my concern to bleed into her. “It’s rude to not keep your plans.”
“I’m sorry.” Her covers rustled as she shifted around. “I was going to, I promise. I just–”
“Are you home alone?”
“Jace is here.”
My eyes rolled at the mention of the Rossi boy. Jace had exactly two brain cells, and instead of working together, they were in a fight to the death.
“He is an idiot , where’s Kane?”
Her breath hitched, and suddenly, the air around me felt denser. Like I was trying to breathe maple syrup.
“Calista, where’s Kane?” My knuckles blanched as I gripped my phone far harder than I should of.
“Work.” She said, voice shaking.
“I’m coming over.” A sharp pain stabbed through my knees as I forced myself to stand, phone nestled between my shoulder and cheek. “Do you have medicine? Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Shin, you don’t have to–”
“Ah, ah, ah.” I tsked, my brow lowering at her protest. “I am your family. You are sick. It is my job to take care of you.”
She sighed. Why did my son have to pick such a difficult woman? Had no one taken care of her? Obviously not. That’s why she had no manners when it came to this subject.
“Well? Do you need anything?” I snapped.
“I–I don’t think so? I have water, and I think we have more medicine.”
“Think? Callie, you need to know. What if you need more in the middle of the night and I’m not awake to help? I’m coming over.”
Her protest was immediate, but her voice was far too rough for me to listen. “Shin, please. You don’t need to—”
“We are not doing this–the boys may let you do whatever you want, but I know what’s best. I will be there in half an hour, don’t move until then.”
I hung up before Callie could argue with me. Shoving the phone in my pocket, I made a mental list of everything she could need.
Callie had been fevered every time I’d seen her, and if it was making her too sick to function, I needed to know. Maybe, if I could do enough, her pregnancy would end differently than Eun’s.
The world outside Sulien’s apartment was cold and dreary, the kind of weather that made my joints hurt. Gianna had warned me that it’d be best for me to stay home, but that woman never thought about anything she couldn’t see in a mirror.
I reached into the passenger seat, grabbing the paper bags full of supplies. The weight pressed into my hands as I marched to the security door. In the past, Sulien would either greet me or prop the door open. Either action would have resulted in Callie being in trouble. I glared at the steel for a moment before sitting the bags down.
Carefully, I removed the makeshift gloves covering my palm, thumb, and pinky. With my hand uncovered, I placed it flat against the door—an orange glow formed under my hand, one that spread as the metal became malleable. After a minute, my hand pushed through the obstacle as if it had been made of wet tissue paper. I patted around for a moment to find the doorknob before twisting it open with two fingers. It groaned open, and I readjusted my gloves before picking up my bags and trotting inside.
The disgusting carpet softened my steps. The boys really let her live here? Shameful. When I reached the door, I knocked. Jace was home, and the least he could do was let me in. I didn’t want to make this place any less safe than it already seemed.
Just as I poised myself to knock again, it opened. A scowl twisted my features as I realized Callie hadn’t listened to me. She was wrapped in a blanket, a thin sheen of sweat caused her hair to stick to her face.
“Why are you up?” I pushed myself into the apartment. At least the place was clean.
“I–you knocked.” She protested.
“What if it had been someone dangerous? Where’s Jace?” I plopped the bags on a table near the entryway.
“Sleeping, he–”
“Go sit.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, silently cursing him for being such a child. When someone you loved was ill, you needed to care for them.
She tried to fight me, but I pushed her toward the couch. Poor thing didn’t have much to give. That or she knew better than to resist me. After guiding her down, I returned to the bags.
I’d grabbed a few things from the store, mostly fever reducers and gel sheets for her forehead, but under them, I brought a few things Eun swore by. A jar of yuja-cha to make tea and a thermos of soup I’d asked Gianna’s chef to make yesterday. I knew Callie wasn’t feeling well. I should have forced her to stay in one of our guest rooms. That way, she would have been in capable hands.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Callie struggling to stay upright. Her eyes were half closed, and every few seconds she’d jerk a little straighter. I crept behind her, readjusting her blanket before making her lay down. She resisted for a beat and I shot her a look. After that, she gave in, sinking into the cushions.
“You don’t have to–”
“Quit saying that,” I warned. “You’re sick; I’m here. Let me take care of my grandson and his stubborn mother.”
She stared at me for a moment, but eventually her eyes fluttered shut. With that out of the way, I tucked the blanket around her more securely before I finished unpacking. I placed the thermos on the coffee table before grabbing the gel sheets and medicine. Carefully, I tore a sheet from the pack before pressing it to her forehead.
She shivered, her eyes cracking to meet mine.
“What now?” I asked, trying to sound irritated as I fell back on my heels.
Her lips curved into a faint smile. “Thank you.”
My eyes widened. “Don’t do that, not yet. Once you’re better, you can say it then.”
She nodded, and I twisted the lid off the thermos before grabbing the spoon. The scent of chicken and ginseng filled the air.
“You’re different than I thought you’d be.” She murmured as if talking to herself.
I arched a brow, scooping up a spoon of soup before blowing on it. Part of me wanted to ask what she thought I’d be like, but then I remembered she, like most of the world, had been brainwashed by hero media. To Callie, I was probably a monster.
“I thought you’d hate me.” She continued.
“Why?” I nodded toward the spoon, hoping she’d realize I wanted her to take a sip.
She hesitated before leaning over just enough for me to feed her. I patted her head as she swallowed.
“Because of my dad.” The way her voice broke caused my stomach to flip.
“Let me make something clear,” I said, trying to sound firm but not harsh. “You loved my son, and now you’re carrying his son. You are family, and in my family, we don’t hold grudges.”
Her lip quivered as tears formed along her lashes.
“What?”
“I just–” She cut herself off with a breath. “You want me in your family?”
My jaw clenched. Flynn Voltaris was a terrible human, but I assumed that behavior was limited to the streets. Unfortunately, I’d been wrong. And while I couldn’t undo whatever he’d done to Callie, one thing was for sure: She was no longer his daughter. In my eyes, she’d forever be mine. But, for now?
“Stop that,” I said, feeding her another sip of soup. “You are no burden, Calista Voltaris. When you are with me, you are wanted , and you are loved .”
Before I could react, Callie unwound herself from the blanket. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders as she buried her face in my neck. The warmth of her skin caused me to sweat. She shook as a sob wracked her body, and my eyes began to burn as I comforted her.
Never did I think I’d pity a Voltaris, but here I was. WindWeaver had dared to hurt what was mine. The next time I saw him, he would die. It was as simple as that. But none of that mattered until Callie was healthy and Sawyer was here.