Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 115

Chapter 39

Calvin's low, cool voice came through the phone, sending Daphne's heart into an erratic rhythm. It pounded as if it were a wild deer trapped in her chest. Once she had put on her shoes and ensured everything was ready, she descended the stairs.

Outside, a sleek black Cayenne was parked in front of her house.

As Daphne appeared, dressed in a light-colored dress with her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, she took Calvin's breath away.

For a moment, he hesitated, then stepped out of the car to open the door for her.

After she got in, the two drove off, a tension-filled silence accompanying them.

"It was you, wasn't it? The one who saved me outside my house that night?" Daphne finally broke the stillness.

"Ms. Walker, I'm surprised you still remember me after all this time. How can you be so sure it was me?" Calvin teased, keeping his eyes on the road.

His playful remark brought a blush to Daphne's cheeks. She silently scolded herself-she wasn't a child anymore, so why did she still blush so easily? Soon, the car pulled up to a discreetly luxurious fine-dining restaurant that had gained significant buzz online.

Daphne glanced at the venue, realizing Calvin must have chosen it with care.

At the table, Calvin handed her the menu. After they ordered, a waiter approached with a stunning bouquet of Juliet roses. "Ms. Walker, these are specially ordered for you by Mr. Wood,"

thewaiterannounced.

As Daphne stared at the roses, a faint, hazy image of a garden flashed through her mind, leaving her momentarily dazed.

"Do you like them, Ms. Walker?" Calvin's voice cut through her reverie, bringing her back to the present.

"These roses are hard to replace," Daphne replied, her eyes betraying a hint of delight.

"As long as you like them, I'll send them to you often," Calvin said with a faint smile, the restaurant's soft lighting adding a touch of intimacy to his gaze. Daphne felt herself lose focus under his warm eyes, her mind momentarily adrift.

After dinner, Calvin drove her to an aquarium.

Inside, the place was eerily empty.

"Why is there no one here on a weekend?" Daphne asked curiously.

"I booked the entire venue," Calvin replied simply.

"Come on, let me show you around."

He took her hand as they walked, their shoulders brushing occasionally, the atmosphere growing increasingly ambiguous.

"Calvin, can you tell me your story?" Daphne asked, tilting her head to look at his profile.

They entered a dim corridor illuminated only by the soft glow of swimming fish. Calvin suddenly cornered her against the wall, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "What do you want to know?" he asked, his voice low and direct.

The unexpected proximity left Daphne flustered. She instinctively turned her head to avoid his piercing gaze.

"For example... how did you go from being a kidnapper to this?"

Calvin smirked at her shy demeanor and leaned closer to her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine.

Daphne gasped, her heart racing, and she instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for his next move.

But Calvin unexpectedly released her hand.

"I was bankrupt before. I owed a lot of money," he began, his tone icy but tinged with something unspoken.

Daphne opened her eyes to see him standing slightly turned away, his head lowered like a child caught in a misdeed.

"The biggest debt I owed was to the Green family-the same people who ordered me to kidnap you."

The mention of the Green family sent a sharp pain through Daphne's head. Could they be connected to her lost memories? Curiosity drove her to keep listening.

"They wanted me to kill you in exchange for clearing my debts,"

Calvin continued, his head sinking lower, his eyes void of light.

"Then why didn't you kill me?" Daphne asked, her gaze piercing as she searched his face.

Calvin turned abruptly to face her, his expression an unreadable mix of emotions.

"Because," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers with a rare vulnerability, "you were the first person in the world to care whether I was hurt."