CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192-I PROMISE

"And you?" Charles’s lips curved in a cold smile as he threw the question back. "You can’t let go of Angela either, can you?"

Janice was in a delicate stage right now. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t take a single step away from her—but of course, this was the exact moment the mission came.

"You ever wonder," Shaun mused, "how we ended up letting Black Hawk recruit us in the first place?"

It had been chance—fate, even—that caught Black Hawk’s attention. He had poured resources into molding them into what they were today. Without him, the four of them would never have formed this bond that had weathered blood and fire.

That man had given them not just opportunity, but the kind of rigorous, relentless training that forged their current strength. Their success was tied to him—and for that, they owed him more than they could ever repay.

"Regret it?" Charles asked, catching the faraway look in Shaun’s eyes. A cigarette dangled unlit between his lips, giving him an air of lazy danger.

"No." The answer came without hesitation—exactly as Charles expected. His own answer would have been the same.

At their core, the four of them were alike. Before they had women to care about, they dealt with the world in one way only—direct, forceful, taking whatever they wanted. Nothing was out of reach.

But love... love had changed everything.

Now they had attachments. Soft spots. Helplessness they couldn’t shake. And most of all, they had women they couldn’t walk away from—women they wanted by their side for a lifetime.

"Relax. With Angela there, she’ll be fine. And don’t forget—my son’s there too." Shaun clapped him on the shoulder, downed the last of his drink, then lit his cigarette and took a slow drag.

"Mm." Through the haze of smoke, Charles only gave a faint reply, turning the glass in his hand without drinking.

Upstairs, Janice watched the clock as the night wore on. She’d already put Trista to bed, yet Charles still hadn’t come home. Since she’d returned, he’d never once stayed out late for work. Was this... not business at all?

She reached for the bedside phone to call his cell—then froze. Her ears caught the low purr of an engine outside. His car. He was home.

The moment Charles stepped into the living room, he saw her—barefoot, dressed in a thin nightgown, hurrying down the stairs.

He strode forward instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist. "What are you doing running around this late?" he chided softly, voice low with both reproach and concern.

"You know it’s late," Janice accused, poking a finger against his chest, her tone deliberately interrogative. "Dare to leave me and the baby—were you off doing something bad?"

"Yes," Charles replied without missing a beat, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "In fact, why don’t we go upstairs so you can check for yourself?"

He caught her restless little hand, and the moment they stepped into the bedroom, he began unbuttoning his shirt—seriously ready for her ’inspection.’

"Ah! Pervert!" Janice squeaked, covering her eyes and scrambling onto the bed. The faint scent of alcohol clung to him—not overpowering, but enough to tell her he’d been with Shaun and the others. And their business? She never asked.

"Alright, go to sleep. I’ll join you in a bit," Charles said, stripping off his shirt and trousers before slipping on a robe and heading into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of running water filled the room. Janice sat on the bed, hugging the blanket, eyes flicking toward the bathroom door. There was something... different about his smile tonight. As if a shadow lingered behind it.

Time ticked by. Ten minutes. Twenty. Forty. Still no movement from inside.

Unable to sit still, she knocked softly on the door, pressing her ear to the panel. "Charles?"

She reached for the glass door, but before she could pull it open, it swung out. He stepped through first, meeting her concerned gaze with a low chuckle. "What’s this? Can’t sleep without me there?"

"Mm-hm. The baby says he wants Daddy to stay with him," Janice murmured, looping her arms around his shoulders. She didn’t notice the flicker in his eyes as she tugged him toward the bed, picking up a towel to gently dry his hair.

That single sentence struck somewhere deep inside him.

When he looked up, her fair face was right there, her small hands moving busily over his head. In a sudden motion, Charles pulled her into his lap. Janice gasped, perching sideways with her legs folded, her cheeks flushing when she felt the heat of his body press against her.

Yet... he didn’t move further.

"Charles... did something happen?" she asked softly. His silence, the way he simply held her without his usual playful insistence—it was so very him, and yet not at all what she was used to.

"Mm. Nothing serious," he said finally. "Just... I’ll need to go abroad for a while. Took on a case that needs me to handle in person."

It wasn’t the full truth. He could never let her know about the other side of his life—never give her a reason to worry.

"That’s it?" Janice’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion lingering. Something in his tone told her there was more, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

"I just hate leaving you, silly. What else could it be?" He stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to the strands before suddenly straightening, his expression turning serious. "Tomorrow, let’s go for a prenatal check-up, alright? I want to make sure our son’s doing well."

"Please, he’s not even formed enough yet. We won’t know anything until after three months. And the doctor already said the baby’s fine. You’d better hope it’s a boy though—because I don’t care either way." Janice’s face warmed as she teased him.

Charles wanted a son so badly... and she, too, hoped his wish would come true. But that was never theirs to decide.

"As long as you take care of yourself, I’ll be at ease," he said. "While I’m gone, I’ll have Angela and Samantha stay with you. They’ll make sure you’re looked after."

"Then let me come with you!" Janice blurted, eyes bright. "That way you won’t have to divide your attention."

She didn’t know why, but the thought of being apart from him this time filled her with dread. And since when did her boss of a husband need to personally travel for a deal?

"No." His refusal was instant.

Her face fell, but Charles reached out to soften the blow. "You’re pregnant, running around isn’t good for the baby."

"I promise I won’t cause trouble! I’ll just stay in the hotel and won’t wander at all—"

"No, Janice." His tone was firm now. "If you’re with me, I won’t be able to focus on work. Stay home, be good, and wait for me. I won’t be gone long."

No matter how much she pouted or wheedled, his answer didn’t change. And the more unshakable his stance, the more that knot of unease in her chest tightened.