Chapter 541

The Next Morning

Inside the Jaguar SUV.

Candy buried her chin in her floral sweater, her big, dark eyes darting nervously at the villa outside.

"Candy?" Caleb called out a few times before she snapped back to reality. "Daddy," she whispered.

"Want some milk?" Caleb asked gently.

Candy shook her head. "I can't drink it."

"Feeling nervous?" Caleb continued.

"A little."

Caleb tried to comfort her. "It's cool, Susan and Oliver are super nice."

"But what if they don't like me?" Candy's voice wavered.

"They will. You're too cute for anyone to dislike," Caleb assured her.

Candy was the cutest kid ever. Even though she wasn't Caleb's biological daughter, to him, blood didn't matter. She was his precious baby, and he'd never let her know the truth.

"Daddy, will Susan be my new mommy?" Candy asked.

Caleb nodded.

"But I already have a mommy. If Mommy loses me, she'll be really sad. I don't want Mommy to be sad." Candy's eyes welled up with tears. "I miss Mommy too."

Caleb sighed, his heart aching. No matter how badly Grace had treated her, to Candy, she was still Mommy. Kids have simple hearts; they don't hold grudges against their moms.

This was Caleb's big dilemma.

He couldn't erase Candy's past or her memories of her mom. Even if Susan became her new mommy, Candy might still have mixed feelings.

Caleb tried to stay positive. Candy was young; maybe she'd forget over time. Susan would love her like her own, no doubt. Eventually, they'd bond, and Candy would see Susan as her real mom.

Grace didn't deserve it.

"Candy, let's not think too far ahead, okay? Just think of it as Daddy introducing you to a friend and a brother."

Candy nodded, then shook her head. "Daddy, I don't know."

"Alright, Candy, let's not worry about it. Didn't you want to go to the amusement park? We're gonna have a blast today." Caleb patted her head lovingly.

Candy forced a smile. "Okay, Daddy."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Susan said, opening the passenger door.

Oliver climbed into the back seat.

Candy immediately shrank back, nervous.

"Candy, hi, I'm Oliver." Oliver smiled brightly and extended his hand, but Candy, like a scared little deer, pressed herself against the window, her big eyes wide with fear.

"It's okay, take your time," Susan said to Oliver.

"Okay. Candy, don't be scared. I'm not a bad guy. Actually, if anyone tries to mess with you, I'll chase them away. I'll protect you." Oliver puffed out his chest.

Candy still huddled in the corner, her long eyelashes fluttering nervously.

"Let's go," Susan said with a smile.

"Okay," Caleb replied.

On the Road

Susan pulled out a row of kids' milk, turned around, and smiled at Candy. "Want some?"

Candy shook her head.

"This milk is awesome. I drink it every day," Oliver said, grabbing a bottle, sticking a straw in, and handing it to Candy. "Try it, you'll love it after one sip."

"Thanks, but I don't want to drink..." Candy mumbled, still shrinking into her sweater.

"No worries, I'll drink it," Oliver said, taking a sip.

Susan turned back to focus on the road.

Oliver kept chatting with Candy. "Candy, we're the same age, both three, but I'm two days older than you."

Candy blinked, quietly watching him.

"So, I'm your big brother, and I'll always protect you," Oliver continued.

"Always..."

"Yep, always. Candy, I'm moving in with you soon. What do you like to play? I'll play with you from now on."

Candy seemed a bit interested, her eyes showing a hint of excitement, but she shook her head again.

"You're still getting to know me, but that's cool. We'll get there. Once we're familiar, it'll be all good," Oliver said with a kind smile. "Candy, you don't have to be scared of me. I'm really nice."

Candy could sense he was nice, but she was still nervous, like a timid little rabbit. She wanted to interact with Oliver but was somehow resistant and afraid to get close.

She looked at Oliver, then at Susan, staying silent.

"We're here, the amusement park," Caleb announced.

"Candy, let's go." Oliver reached out to hold Candy's hand, but she quickly dodged, getting out from the other side, grabbing Caleb's big hand, and half-hiding behind him.

"Mom, Candy seems scared of me," Oliver whispered.

Susan explained, "You two aren't familiar yet, it's normal for her to be scared. It's okay, Oliver, you've done great, and you're an awesome brother."

"Of course, I'll be a great brother," Oliver said confidently. "And I really like Candy. She's so cute, with big eyes and curly hair, just like a doll."

"Yes, she's very cute," Susan agreed, even though Candy kept avoiding them.

Susan had already decided not to have another daughter. Since she accepted Caleb, she would also accept Candy and treat her as her own.

A son and a daughter, it was already perfect.

"Candy, let's play together." Oliver enthusiastically reached out to hold Candy's hand again, but as soon as he touched her fingers, she quickly pulled away, hiding on the other side of Caleb, nervously holding his other hand.

Seeing her so scared, Oliver didn't push it, still smiling warmly and making funny faces to cheer her up.

Candy wanted to laugh but didn't dare, her mouth twitching, making Susan feel a bit sad.

What a poor little girl, she must be full of worries and fears. Susan couldn't imagine asking Oliver to recognize another woman as his mom; it would be worse than anything.

But given the situation, Susan could only do her best to give Candy as much motherly love as possible. Maybe she couldn't truly replace Grace, but she secretly vowed to be a good mom. She would treat Candy just as well as she treated Oliver.