My Adorable Daughter Can't Be A Villainess - Chapter 49 - Regrets and Mistakes

Eric had no problem leaving Nina with her brother at the church.

He was familiar with the people there, and since the church was only a ten minute ride from the mansion, he visited often.

What was Nina’s role in Charlotte’s life, other than being a rival in love for the protagonist?

For most of the first year, Nina remained a level above Charlotte.

Both girls had gone through almost identical circumstances.

They grew up in places where people of high society would never consider setting foot.

Both had been forced to work from a very young age to keep their families afloat, but the difference lay in Chloe.

She was a mother who taught Charlotte that there were things she could do, and things she absolutely should not.

For Nina, no such boundaries existed. She never acknowledged restraint or limits.

She stole. She killed. She betrayed. She did whatever was necessary to keep herself and her brother alive.

And that was exactly why she endured experiences that shaped her into one of the strongest students immediately after enrollment.

Cold, aloof, and uncaring, she caught the protagonist’s attention, and Charlotte slowly developed a sense of rivalry toward her.

It began as a friendly competition, but by the end of the third year, it became something far more bitter and cruel.

Saving Nina was humane, yes, but Eric would not deny that a selfish desire was tied to it.

He did not want Nina to grow wary of the worst, or hostile toward Charlotte in any way.

Anyone who could prove to be a danger to his daughter would be dealt with beforehand.

“We are here, sir,” the coachman informed him, breaking his thoughts.

Eric sighed and opened the door.

A smile lifted the corners of his lips as the mansion came into view.

It had only been two days, yet he felt as though he had not seen his family for months. He knew it sounded sentimental, but this was the first time he truly had a family of his own.

Being a little silly was acceptable.

He took the box containing the relic from the carriage and stepped toward the door, only to freeze when something caught the corner of his eye.

With a frown, he turned.

Another carriage was parked nearby, black and gold, bearing the Blackwood insignia on its curtains.

Eric’s mood soured. Is she here again? He did not waste any time and moved forward, ready to confront his mother.

He was so anxious and furious that he completely overlooked the decorations around him. The ribbons, trinkets, and new carpet all faded from his notice.

His only focus was making sure that Chloe and his daughter were safe.

However, the moment he stepped into the reception hall, he froze.

“Father?” Eric was taken aback when he saw the man.

Seated on the sofa was a man who appeared to be in his forties, lean in build, with dark green hair streaked with silver that fell over his shoulder.

His posture was straight, and his eyes were warm as he shifted his gaze from the woman he had been speaking with and looked at his son.

“You are finally here,” Aiden said, his tone unreadable.

Eric glanced at the silver-haired woman nearby. Her expression was calm, and from the atmosphere, it did not seem like they had been arguing.

He was confused.

Still, he moved to stand beside Chloe and asked, “Did you want to tell me something?”

Chloe frowned at him, and the Elder Blackwood did the same as he replied sharply, “What’s with that tone? Can’t I come here without a reason? Or do I need to request a meeting next time?”

Eric sighed and softened his voice. “That’s not what I meant, Father. What happened the last time Mother visited left me on edge,” he admitted.

Aiden fell silent at that. He was well aware of everything that had happened between them.

Chloe spoke next, her voice quiet. “I’ll go bring some tea.”

Neither man stopped her.

Eric set the box he had been carrying aside.

As he took a seat, he heard the older man ask, “Is this about your research again?”

Eric hummed. “You could say that. Anyway, I know you’re here because of what happened last time.”

Aiden leaned back. “You’re not entirely right. I wanted to meet my son on his birthday.”

Eric blinked. “Birthday…?”

Right. It was his birthday today. Eric Blackwood had turned thirty-two.

Aiden leaned forward and gestured around the room with his eyes. “Why do you think they decorated this place like a newlywed’s home?”

Only then did Eric truly notice that something was different about the house.

Was it Charlotte’s idea? He could not stop the smile that curved his lips. He wanted to see his little cupcake right now.

Seeing the warmth in his son’s eyes, Aiden felt his heart ease.

In a calmer voice, he asked, “So… you are a father now?”

Eric nodded slowly. “Yes.”

With a sigh, the older man continued, “And I assume Chloe is the mother?”

Eric nodded again.

Aiden frowned, his voice turning sharp. “When did you find out?”

“About half a month ago.”

“Or were you reminded, and guilt pushed you to take responsibility?”

Eric frowned. “What do you mean, Father?”

Aiden spoke bluntly. “Maybe you knew all along that you had a child, and only recently, once your life settled, you—”

“Father.” Eric surprised even himself by interrupting him. There were words he could not allow to be spoken.

In a firm voice, he said, “I may be a coward, but I am not a bastard who would abandon his family. I truly did not know Chloe was pregnant back then. If I had, I would never have left.”

Forget her being pregnant. If he were given another chance to return to that day, he would never have left Chloe alone.

Not for his ambition, not for his future, not for his family.

If there was one thing he regretted every single day, it was the cowardly choice he had made back then.

And Eric knew he could never truly make up for that mistake, not until his final breath.

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