Winning Her Heart Back (Emelie Hoven )
Chapter 691

Chapter 691

Charles hadn't returned to his mansion for an entire week. However, on that day, not only did he return, but he also arrived earlier than usual.

When he entered the house, the maid took his winter coat.

After he changed into his house slippers, he entered the living room, where he saw the nanny playing with Mia on the carpet.

His face immediately softened into a gentle smile. "Mia."

Mia blinked at the somewhat familiar man without showing any sign of rejection.

Charles picked up his little daughter and sat on the carpet, leaning back against the sofa, letting Mia sit on his lap.

He held her tiny hands and coaxed her. "Call me Daddy. Daddy. Daddy."

Mia only responded with a series of meaningless ahs.

Charles, not giving up, slowed his speech. He said while enunciating each syllable, "Dad-dy

Mia responded with, "Ah! Ah!"

He tried again. "No, Mia, watch my mouth. Dad-dy-"

"Ah! Mommy!" Mia yelled.

Charles froze and turned to see Emmie walking over.

Mia only knew how to properly say "Mommy". When she saw Emmie, she cried out for her while reaching out.

Emmie, who had gone to prepare baby formula for Mia, said in a flat tone, "She's only a year and a half old. She can't talk yet. Don't make things hard for her."

Charles looked at her, his lips curling up into that familiar, charming smirk that once marked him as the infamous playboy of Calmcrest.

"Well, could I trouble you instead? Can you call me honey?" he said.

Emmie stiffened for a moment before bending down to take the child from him.

She replied expressionlessly, "Charles, if it weren't for you using Mia to pressure me, I wouldn't stay with you at all

So, how could she possibly call him "honey"? Intimacy and affection didn't exist between them.

Charles remained seated on the floor, one leg bent, his hands resting on his knee. As he watched her skillfully feed the child, his gaze grew wistful.

He didn't want to blink, wanting to savor the moment and engrain the scene in his memory.

Emmie felt uncomfortable under his gaze and turned her back against him.

He suddenly said, "That day when we went for lobster, and we passed by the city hall, I really had the impulse to take you in there and get a marriage certificate. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I didn't."

Emmie turned back and forced a smile. "Why? Is it because you think I'm still unworthy?"

Charles shook his head and lowered his gaze. "If you became my wife and something happened to me, you'd be dragged into it too. Your assets would become joint property and could be seized."

A flicker of something passed through Emmie's eyes.

She frowned, clearly confused by his sudden statement. "What?"

Charles gestured. "This house... I've had it transferred into your name. No matter what

happens in the future, at least you and Mia will have a place to live."

Emmie looked at him in bewilderment, not comprehending his words.

Charles's smile was tinged with melancholy. "Emmie, I want to make it up to you, but this is all I can do."

Emmie held her breath. "If you truly want to make it up to me, then let us go."

Charles smiled. "That may happen soon."

Emmie's eyes twitched. Something was very off about him that day. "Charles, what's wrong with you?"

Instead of answering, Charles took on a lighter tone. "Since I'm back early today, why don't you cook us a meal? I remember your cooking is quite good."

Emmie studied him for a moment, seeing the deep exhaustion on his face. She handed Mia back to the nanny and went to the kitchen.

An hour later, the food was ready.

Emmie put the dishes on the table before calling for Charles, who was in the living room.

She found him asleep on the sofa. As she approached, she saw the dark circles under his eyes, evidence of his unrest. Yet, his features remained as handsome and charming as ever.

She remembered when she first entered the working world right out of college. He was her boss, always looking out for her and taking care of her.

When she encountered a perverted landlord who pretended to be drunk and opened her door in the middle of the night, she was terrified and called him by mistake.

At three in the morning, he showed up. He beat the landlord up, and took her to his home.

He made her a warm glass of milk and brought his cat to play with her, saying, "Don't be afraid, Emmie. I'm here."