the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart

Chapter 1237: All These Years, I’ve Loved You Since Childhood and Still Can’t Forget You

Leah originally intended to return to the South Seas, as if none of the past had happened, using time to forget.

On the first night back, Richard Shaw brought their son from the Imperial City to visit, then kissed her and left, as though it was the most natural thing.

They were no longer in the same type of relationship as before.

"For Thomas Shaw to grow up happily, I won’t pursue what happened back then. But I hope Mr. Shaw stays away from me in the future. Now that Thomas is sent to the South Seas, you can leave." Leah’s stunning face showed no hint of a smile, speaking plainly and somewhat coldly.

Richard Shaw sat in the soft armchair, feeling uncomfortable all over. He unconsciously shifted positions, his slender, rough fingertips caressing the soft armrest, silent for a moment, his stern face showing little emotion.

"Since you want to cut ties with me, why didn’t you get together with Hawk Howard while in Los Angeles?" The man asked his inner doubts in a low voice.

Over these years, the only man close to her was Hawk Howard. Leah is hard to approach on principle, with few friends since childhood. He thought she would choose Hawk, given Caspian Howard’s impressive qualities and genuine affection for her all these years, and she relied on him.

Leah furrowed her brow. She saw Caspian as a buddy, a mix of mentor and friend, so how could she be with him? Caspian’s mild-mannered personality isn’t her type. But she wouldn’t reveal this to Richard Shaw.

"That’s between me and Caspian. There’s no need to tell you."

"Are you afraid of my approach? Like last night?" His tea-colored eyes suddenly deepened, aggressively looking at Leah, speaking deliberately, "I remember you liked me since you were little; even if you don’t anymore, I’m not like other men to you, right?"

"If Major General Shaw wants to prove your charm, you don’t need to come to the South Seas. In the Imperial City’s social circle, countless women would flock around you, afraid you’d be too busy." Leah sneered, standing up abruptly, exasperated after only a few words.

Seeing her frustrated and embarrassed anger, her almond eyes burned with fiery sparks, becoming all the more stunning and lively. Richard unconsciously reached out, grasping her thin wrist, apologizing in a low voice, "I misspoke. All these years, I’ve loved you since childhood and still can’t forget you. I used to be afraid to love; now I’m afraid not to. Leah, don’t be mad."

The final words, "Leah," were uttered gently and tenderly, like intimacies between lovers, wrapped in indescribable affection.

Leah, in her anger, felt his burning grasp and heard his sudden confession, stunned in place, unable to regain her composure for a long time.

After a while, she stepped back, withdrew her hand from his grasp, and stated indifferently, "If you’re concerned my family would act against the Shaw Family, no need. My parents have long passed; I don’t want to probe into past events. That’s my stance; I can’t influence Griffith Squire’s thoughts. If you wish to mend what’s broken, that’s impossible. I can’t exist on my parents’ blood and bones to be with you; I liked you in my youth, but not anymore."

After speaking, she squinted slightly, feeling a sting. Emotions were the last priority. Even if they were together, they wouldn’t be happy. When dreaming at midnight, imagining both parents, how should they face it?

Richard Shaw’s handsome, stern face showed a hint of bleakness and defeat. Despite being within reach of each other, they remained too far—too distant to hold on.

"Leah, if your parents’ name of corruption could be cleared, couldn’t you be with me?" His voice carried an underlying shadow, deep as if from the depths of the throat.

Leah stared at him, from his tea-colored, glass-like eyes to the high nose, then the resolute chin, thin lips—this cold, reserved "Shaw blockhead." His honesty and kindness were like double-edged swords, alluring yet leaving her scarred.

"You said your father died for the country, and your mother followed him, when you were eight, the same year my parents passed, right?" Leah spoke softly, "Richard Shaw, how could you agree to marry me from the start? We never should’ve been together."

She turned her gaze, forcing back tears, then retreated into the house.

The man stood stiffly in the airy pavilion, fingers tightly clenched, veins on the back of his hand bulged, carrying pain endured to the extreme.

Over the years, the Shaw Family has borne pain no less than anyone else. He and his grandmother intended for Leah never to learn the truth, so at least one side would be happy. Yet the result was mutual destruction.

Leah only saw the blood between their families, unaware their relatives were willing to sacrifice for each other, closer than family.

Richard Shaw stood in the pavilion for a while, then made a phone call before going inside to call Casimir Shaw.

"I need to return to the Imperial City. Listen to your mom in the South Seas, alright?" The man leaned down, ruffled his son’s hair, and spoke steadily.

"Old Shaw, you’re not staying with me?" Casimir Shaw put down his phone, grasping Richard’s arm reluctantly, "Did mom not want you? Old Shaw, you’re so clueless, can’t even act cute."

The man’s stern face showed a slight smile. His approach to raising this child had always been laissez-faire, unlike many families with hierarchical parent-child education. He served as a guide in life; Casimir called him ’Old Shaw,’ referring to himself as ’Little Shaw,’ deepening their father-son bond.

Richard Shaw hugged his son, speaking softly, "Take care of your mom, alright?"

"Okay." Casimir nodded, hugging ’Old Shaw’s’ neck, whispering in his ear, "Don’t worry, I’ll secretly send mom’s videos to you."

The man nodded, then turned to leave, exiting Squire Manor, and boarded his private jet back to the Imperial City.

Casimir Shaw ran to the iron gate, waited till the car was out of sight, then returned to the living room, seeing his mom lost in thought, he hurried over, tugging Leah’s hand, saying, "Mom, Old Shaw left."

"Hmm." Leah held him in her arms, saying softly, "Thomas will stay in the South Seas for a while, alright?"

Casimir nodded, smiling brightly, revealing his white teeth, saying, "I can stay for a year, no problem. I’ve already skipped to high school level."

Seeing him like a little sun every day, Leah affectionately kissed his cheek. Her low mood disappeared, and she looked toward the northern sky—it was better to leave.