chapter 17 gap

"Daddy, look, it's Mommy!" Before the helicopter could steady itself, the cabin door was flung open, and Eilir, unable to wait, rushed over and took Nidawi from Atius's arms, bursting into tears the next moment. Atius slowly reached out, trying to embrace Eilir and the child in his arms. Eilir turned her body away, and Atius's hand was left hanging in mid-air. "Eilir, I..." "What about you!" Calandra also approached, looking coldly at Atius, "Since you disappeared for five years, there's no need for you to appear now!" "Without you, Eilir and the child could live just fine!" Atius's eyes were filled with pain as he watched Eilir weep uncontrollably, his heart aching as if pierced by needles. "It's my fault," Atius nodded, "Five years ago, I was being hunted, and it was Eilir who saved my life. Her kindness, her innocence, her optimism, made me fall deeply in love with her." Atius's eyes were red, "When I saw the farewell letter, I wanted to find Eilir at all costs, I wanted to grow old with Eilir, to be by her side for life!" "But I couldn't!" Atius roared nearly hysterically, "My enemies would not let me be, and being with me, Eilir would be implicated sooner or later." "So I had to become stronger!" "I had to become stronger than anyone else!" Atius laughed at himself, "I know it's too late to say all this." "So, I will do everything in my power to make up for what I owe Eilir and Nidawi." Calandra's eyes also reddened, "Do you know that Eilir also chose to leave to protect you? If the Yates family knew of your existence, they wouldn't spare your life!" Calandra glared angrily at Atius, "Do you know that if it weren't for the Yates family offending a big shot, Eilir would have married Fulbright and lived in agony all her life?" "Do you know that if it weren't for my father's willingness to help, Nidawi's fate would still be uncertain?" "And you?" "What have you, as a father, contributed for them?!" Calandra raised her hand and smashed the 'Heart of the Galaxy' necklace that Atius had given to Eilir onto Atius's chest, "A wedding gift, is it? What face do you have to wish Eilir and Fulbright a happy marriage?" The necklace, worth billions, 'Heart of the Galaxy', fell to the ground, breaking into two pieces. Faced with Calandra's questioning, Atius was left speechless. At that moment, Eilir, holding Nidawi, stood up and walked towards the rooftop exit without a word. Nidawi, held in Eilir's arms, struggled and cried out, "Daddy, I want Daddy." "Mommy, I want Daddy to take me on the merry-go-round." Eilir clenched her teeth, her slender body trembling, tears falling incessantly. Atius stood there, dispirited, his breath disorderly, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Eilir's footsteps faltered, stopping at the stairwell. Atius's voice of pain came from behind, "Eilir, give me a chance to make amends, will you?" "I will do my utmost to be a good husband and a good father." Calandra looked at Eilir's tear-streaked face, turned around helplessly, and glared at Atius, "Eilir has been through too much shock recently, can't you give her some time?!" Atius looked gratefully at Calandra and forced a smile, saying to Nidawi who was still crying and struggling, "Nidawi, go back with Mommy first, and in a couple of days, Daddy will take you and Mommy to play on the merry-go-round, okay?" Atius's words seemed to have a magical effect, as Nidawi stopped crying and asked with a pout, wiping her tears, "Two days, Nidawi can count, if Daddy doesn't come, Nidawi will be very sad." Atius smiled through his tears, "Daddy will definitely come." Eilir held Nidawi tighter and walked quickly downstairs. Calandra looked back at Atius and asked coldly, "What did you work as before? I'll arrange a decent job for you, don't embarrass Eilir." Atius remembered the words Eilir said on the plane, she liked a stable and peaceful life, and he nodded, "I used to be a soldier." "Well," Calandra said gravely, "report to Starlight Entertainment tomorrow, the security department is missing a supervisor." Suddenly, Atius remembered what Steef had said before dying, that a dark force called Blood Shark Island was also involved in the plot against his parents. This vengeance must be avenged! "Ms. Jernigan, I still have some matters to attend to, let's talk about the job later." Calandra looked at Atius with disappointment and turned to go downstairs, her voice carrying up, "I think you're good for nothing! If you want to shirk your duties, then stay away from Eilir and Nidawi!" Facing Calandra's misunderstanding, Atius did not explain. Shadow leaped up from the edge of the rooftop and hesitated before saying, "Master, after we find out about Blood Shark Island's background, I'll lead people to eradicate them, and you can stay safely in the country." Atius slowly shook his head, "The enmity for my parents cannot be shared under the sky, as their son, I naturally have to personally exact revenge." Shadow nodded, but did not leave. Atius frowned, "If you have something to say, just say it, why hold it in?" Shadow said, "Master, I'm a bit puzzled." "You've come back to reunite with Madam, she should be happy, why did she leave with Nidawi just now?" Atius sighed, bending down to pick up the 'Heart of the Galaxy' necklace that had been smashed to the ground, and said, "Eilir is very sensitive and pure-hearted." "She must have guessed something, so she has concerns." Atius was right in his guess. From the moment the Yates family had trouble, Eilir had speculated that Atius was related to that legendary big shot. The Jernigan family. Calandra looked at Eilir with surprise, "You mean, Atius might be a subordinate of that big shot? Right, he said he's been a soldier these years!" Eilir, while putting the sleeping Nidawi on the bed, shook her head, "It's just speculation." "If Atius won't explain, I won't ask him." "But if he really lives a life of fighting and killing, I will never let him near Nidawi." Calandra frowned, "But people like them can't just leave the underworld as they please. If we could see that big shot in person and plead with him, maybe he would let Atius leave safely." The next moment, Calandra dragged Eilir downstairs. In the living room, the three Gillespies were drinking tea. Seeing Calandra come down, Gillespie quickly put down his tea cup and carefully asked, "Calandra, have you seen Atius?" Calandra nodded and recounted what had happened. When she heard Calandra scolding Atius and saying she would arrange a job for him, Gillespie froze completely. Nereus and Indivar also looked uncomfortable, breaking out in cold sweat. "Dad, what's with your reaction?" Calandra said irritably, "I wanted to ask you, can you get in touch with that big shot? We'd like to pay him a visit." Gillespie was frustrated, glaring at his daughter, "How can you talk to the hall... to Atius like that!" "And to arrange a job for him, how capable do you think you are!" Calandra was also stunned. "Dad, why are you yelling at me? Doesn't that bastard Atius deserve to be scolded?" "Also, I'm asking you if you can contact that big shot. Eilir thinks Atius is very likely working under him, and we want to plead with the big shot to give Atius his freedom." "Shut up!" Gillespie looked exasperated, "You don't understand the real situation at all, stop being so self-righteous." With that, Gillespie turned to Eilir, his face suddenly smiling, and his tone softened, "Eilir, listen to your uncle's advice, don't think too much, the happiest thing is to live well as a family of three." Nereus also nodded and smiled, "You're still young, after all this pain, it's time to live a good life." Indivar nodded with a heavy voice, "Big brother and second brother are right." Whether Eilir had made up her mind or was persuaded by the three Gillespies, she nodded gently and said, "Every time Nidawi asks where Daddy is, my heart aches as if it's being pricked by needles." "I thought I could make Nidawi grow up as happily as other children." "But I found out that I can't." Eilir's eyes filled with tears, choking up, "Many times, when I wake up in the middle of the night, I find Nidawi staring blankly at Atius's photo." "She's just a child, she needs a father's love!" "It's just that this needs a process." Calandra sighed softly, "Then just stay in Yeoannes City, at least we the Jernigan family can support you." "If that bastard Atius shows some spine, I'll arrange for him to be the general manager of a branch company later." Gillespie roared irritably, "Calandra, I remind you, stay out of Atius's affairs!" Eilir also held Calandra's arm, nodding, "Calandra, if he really wants to give Nidawi a beautiful future, he will definitely go out and strive on his own." "And from what I knew of him, he has a strong sense of pride, he may not accept your help."