CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195- SUNLIGHT

Ever since Trista had started speaking, she had never once called her "Mama."

Now, hearing those two simple syllables slip from her daughter’s tiny lips, Janice’s heart swelled with emotion. In that instant, she felt as though tears could pour from her eyes like rain.

"Baby, Mama loves you!"

Janice swept Trista into her arms, showering her clean little face with kisses. She had dreamed of this moment from the day she returned. Now, finally, she had heard Trista’s voice call for her—and her heart felt impossibly full.

In this life, she already had the love of an outstanding man like Charles, a sweet daughter like Trista, and was carrying another child they had created together. Nothing else could move her this deeply.

"Oh? Shouldn’t I be the one you love the most?" Charles arched a brow, his lips curving into a faint, teasing smile as his gaze lingered on Janice’s misty eyes. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Janice had given her whole heart and endless patience to Trista, waiting days for this single moment.

He only wished that when he left, he wouldn’t carry a shred of regret. If he could return safely this time, the rest of his life would belong entirely to her.

"That’s different! This is the first time Trista’s called me Mama!" Janice laughed and cried at the same time, spinning around the room with Trista in her arms. Mother and daughter—so alike in their sparkling eyes—looked like the rarest gems in the world, glimmering as if they held the stars.

"Trista, call me again. Be good..." Janice brushed her fingers against Trista’s chin. The little girl grabbed her hand with both of her tiny palms and, in that soft, milky voice, called again, "Ma...ma..."

"Charles! Did you hear that? Trista called me Mama!" Janice’s joy was like that of a child, clutching Trista tightly as she moved toward him, her smile brighter than sunlight.

"I heard. Now, hand her over. I’ll hold her." Charles reached for their daughter, worried she might accidentally kick Janice’s belly. But today, Janice refused to let go.

It wasn’t until they were in the car that she realized—today, it wasn’t just the three of them anymore. With the little one in her belly, they were a family of four, heading toward the seaside resort.

"What are we doing here?" Janice’s eyes widened as she recognized the outskirts near their destination. She had lived here for nine years, and later, to hide from him, had come back with Manfred. This place was as familiar to her as her own heartbeat.

"We’ll stay here for a few days. Just the three of us," Charles said casually. In truth, he had bought and rebuilt the place long ago. Back when Janice first returned, they hadn’t reunited yet, and neither of them had the heart to take a proper look. Now, the "Fairy Tale Kingdom" was complete—his wedding gift to her, though it had come a little late.

"Charles... thank you for keeping this place," Janice said earnestly, her eyes meeting his dark ones. This place held too much meaning for her—it had been her and Cornelia’s home, proof of Cornelia’s love. She understood everything Charles had done for her, even the ruthless vengeance against the Louis family.

"Come on, my queen," Charles said, holding Trista in one arm while taking Janice’s hand in the other, leading her toward the magnificent, palace-like building.

Everything here bore traces of her existence—and his love. It was a dreamscape built piece by piece from his devotion.

"Charles, the environment here is amazing. A few months from now, let’s come here for the delivery. What do you think?" Janice stood on the balcony, gazing at the autumn-colored lake below. The wind lifted her hair, brushing against the tall man standing behind her, making his heart itch.

"If you like it, then stay here. I’ll arrange people to take care of you." Charles wrapped his arms around her from behind, treasuring every second they had together.

"Me? What about you? Aren’t you staying?" Janice turned toward him at the hint of something in his tone. The complicated flicker in his eyes made unease bloom in her chest. Was she being overly sensitive?

"I told you, I have to make a trip abroad. Once I’m back, I’ll stay with you," Charles said, avoiding her searching gaze, his voice a shade too firm.

"When are you leaving? How long will you be gone?" Other than the time she had been ill, they had never been apart for long. So why did this so-called business trip make her feel so uneasy?

"Charles, what kind of business requires you to go personally? Can’t someone else go? You’re always worried about leaving me alone... so don’t go, okay? I don’t want to be apart from you."

Tilting her small face upward, she looked at him with pleading eyes. Janice had never been the type to make unreasonable demands—but this time, the feeling in her heart was too strong to ignore.

"It won’t be for long, don’t worry," Charles said, lowering himself to gently wrap Janice in his arms as they entered the private villa inside the resort. He had built it specially in their family’s style, hoping to give her a familiar sense of security.

"I promise, as soon as this is settled, I’ll come back. Don’t let yourself overthink things while you’re alone. And no mistreating our son, understood? I’ll even have someone watching over you."

Janice rubbed her legs against his, a little dissatisfied with his arrangement.

"You already have your son on your mind. What about me?"

Charles smiled softly and helped her slip into her shoes, kneeling before her on the living room sofa. "Peggy and Angela are here too. I’ll bring them over to keep you company."

Janice shook her head after a moment’s thought. "No, I’ll just go home and wait for you. No matter how much I like it here, it’s not our home. I only feel truly safe where your presence is."

Charles turned his head, his dark eyes shimmering. Just as Janice thought he might say more, he fell silent.

The following week passed quietly, peacefully, warmly. Apart from a few guards on the mountain, it was just the three of them. Because of Janice’s pregnancy, Charles forbade her from doing anything risky—no climbing steep slopes, no swimming in cold water, no lingering too long enjoying the scenery that might tire her eyes.

Janice could only watch him carry Trista, jumping and playing freely while she stood behind them, either standing or sitting. Even when she walked too fast, he would correct her. She never knew a man could be so attentive. Even the cold, stoic Charles showed a softness that could melt iron.

The day they left meant they had to part again. Janice didn’t know how long he would be gone, only that he promised not to keep her waiting too long.

When she woke one morning and saw the empty space beside her bed, no lingering warmth, she realized—he really had left.