My Adorable Daughter Can't Be A Villainess

There was a subtle tension at the dining table as Charlotte and Eric sat close together while the maids served dinner.

Maylie sensed it as well. Something had clearly happened, because the usually chatty pair was unusually quiet.

Still, she chose to stay silent, waiting for the third member to arrive and hopefully ease the mood.

Eric sighed, glanced at his daughter, and finally broke the silence. “How do you feel now, Charlotte?”

Charlotte gave a faint smile and reassured him, “I’m okay now. I think the wound will disappear by tomorrow.”

Eric nodded in relief before asking, “Where… is your mother?”

They usually ate together or stayed in their room. Today was different, and judging by the way Charlotte’s expression shifted, he already had an answer.

Her next words confirmed his suspicion.

“I don’t know. I haven’t gone back to the room for the past few hours,” she said coldly, keeping her eyes on the table.

Eric sighed. He wanted to say something, to urge her to apologize and make up with her mother, especially since Charlotte might not realize the mistake he himself had made earlier.

But before Eric could speak, he sensed movement to his right.

Turning, he saw a familiar silver-haired figure approaching the table.

Eric blinked in surprise, then noticed her red eyes. She had been crying.

He stood up and walked toward her.

Chloe stopped, her dazed expression breaking as she noticed the man standing before her. His broad frame blocked her view, but Charlotte instantly knew it was her mother who had caught his attention.

“Are you okay?” Eric asked gently.

Chloe looked up at him and said, “Can we talk?”

Eric paused for a moment, then nodded. “O-of course.”

He glanced back at Charlotte and saw her watching him.

“Charlotte, would you mind starting without us?”

Charlotte smiled softly. “Alright Uncle Eric.”

Like a well-behaved child, she picked up her fork and began eating quietly.

Eric then turned back to Chloe and gestured for her to follow him.

She did so in silence until they reached a spot far enough from the dining hall.

Eric was the first to speak.

“Did you two fight?”

Chloe crossed her arms and looked away, not denying it.

Eric sighed. “Did Charlotte say something wrong?”

“Of course she did,” Chloe replied, her voice edged with complaint. “You’ve trapped my daughter. She raised her voice at me because of you.”

Eric froze. “She… got angry at you?”

“Close enough,” Chloe said with a huff. “The point is, she argued with me for someone else for the first time.”

Eric let out a slow breath and fell silent. He didn’t know what to say. Saying Charlotte was wrong would be dishonest, because the truth was, knowing his daughter took his side made him feel strangely happy.

“Do you think this is funny?” Chloe asked flatly.

Eric failed to suppress it. “I’m sorry, but yes.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. How unfair this world was. Instead of focusing on the fact that Charlotte had raised her voice at her, he was pleased that she had defended him.

“Chloe, as I said before, I take full responsibility for what happened this morning,” Eric said seriously.

Chloe sighed and shook her head. “I should be the one apologizing.” She lowered her voice. “I was unreasonable. Charlotte made me realize that I wasn’t angry because you were careless…” She lowered her head further. “I was venting my frustration because of our past.”

Eric would be lying if he said he hadn’t noticed.

Chloe wasn’t impulsive or blindly overprotective. She wouldn’t burn the world over a scratch.

He knew she had raised Charlotte to be strong enough to survive even harsh circumstances.

“I knew,” he said quietly, prompting her to look up.

“And you still said nothing?” she asked.

“You have every right to shout at me, even to hurt me, for what I did back then,” he replied calmly.

Chloe’s gaze sharpened for a moment before softening. “Then why… are you doing this?”

Eric raised his brows. “Doing what?”

“Don’t act dumb. I know you didn’t bring me here just because you didn’t want Charlotte to live without her mother. I’m not blind or stupid.”

She continued, “I can see it. The way you care about me, how you pay attention to my health. I’m not used to this, and you were never like this before. You’re the most self-centered person I’ve ever met.”

She looked straight at him. “So tell me. What’s your goal this time?”

Eric stayed silent for a few moments before speaking softly. “Are you sure you want to hear it?”

Chloe shrugged. “We’re only going to be together for five more days anyway. You might as well say it.”

Eric took a deep breath. He hadn’t planned to say it so soon, but there was no point holding back now.

“I want you back in my life, Chloe,” he said. “Not just as Charlotte’s mother, but as my wife.”

Silence fell between them.

Chloe stood frozen, her narrowed eyes slowly widening.

She hadn’t been expecting this. Not at all.

And the way he said it, the look in his eyes, held nothing but honesty.

She parted her lips, but no words came out.

Eric waited patiently, though deep down, he found her reaction strangely adorable.

Finally, she stomped her foot and said, “…I can’t believe you. After all this time.”