An Unexpected Proposal-Chapter 57

Cabelenus tilted his head mockingly.

He knew that, for now, the child was winning.

But that didn’t mean he had to be gracious about it.

"…I really don’t like you now."

"I never liked you to begin with."

"Why don’t you like me?"

"Because you took something that was mine."

Cabelenus scanned Mikael from head to toe with a detached expression.

By all appearances, he was a well-loved child, with no obvious flaws.

If anything, his carefree smile was annoyingly pleasant.

And that was exactly why Cabelenus hated it.

Every time he saw Mikael’s glossy hair, he thought of Alicia’s dry, brittle strands.

Every time he saw Mikael’s full cheeks, he remembered Alicia’s hollowed ones.

Every time he saw Mikael’s small, soft hands, he recalled Alicia’s rough, calloused ones.

Mikael was like a parasite—thriving while draining the life from Alicia.

"I never took anything from you."

"You did. And it was the most precious thing."

"If I give it back, will you leave Mom alone?"

The uncertainty in Mikael’s eyes made Cabelenus realize how childish he was being.

Clicking his tongue, he ignored the boy and picked up his hammer.

"Why won’t you answer me?"

"…"

"Mister!"

"…"

Instead of responding, Cabelenus tore out a warped wooden plank and replaced it with a new one, hammering it in place.

The shed was in such disrepair that it was a wonder it hadn’t collapsed yet.

Rather than watching Alicia struggle to patch it up year after year, he’d rather fix it all himself.

That way, she wouldn’t have to lift a single finger.

"You’re really weird."

"…"

"You’re ignoring me again."

Mikael slumped his shoulders.

No one had ever outright disliked him before, and the realization left him deflated.

"Fine. I won’t talk to you either. Let’s see who lasts longer."

Even as he turned his back on Cabelenus, Mikael couldn’t help but sneak a glance over his shoulder.

"But what exactly did I take?"

"You said you weren’t talking to me."

"I’m not."

"I just want to know."

Mikael muttered under his breath.

Cabelenus paused mid-swing, glancing briefly at the boy’s round head.

A tiny, insignificant creature—yet one that he couldn’t ignore.

"…You said you’re six?"

"Why do you care?"

"You look too small for your age."

"…"

Cabelenus hadn’t been around children enough to judge properly.

But even Gajev had commented before he left that Mikael looked more like a five-year-old than an eight-year-old.

"I’ll grow soon! And I’ll be so tall, you won’t even compare!"

Mikael’s face turned red with indignation.

Seeing the boy puff up in anger only made Cabelenus want to provoke him more.

He smirked slightly and nailed the last board in place.

"I wouldn’t count on it."

"Why not?!"

"I’ve never met someone who suddenly shot up in height. I was already tall at your age."

"There are late bloomers! Mom told me so!"

"The fact that you keep saying ‘Mom said this’ and ‘Mom said that’ proves you’re just a kid."

Mikael’s eyes widened, like a startled rabbit.

Cabelenus chuckled as he gathered his tools.

Mikael, unwilling to accept defeat, clenched his fists.

"Mister!"

"What now?"

"Are you proud of yourself for beating a kid?"

Mikael stuck his tongue out in frustration.

Cabelenus’s expression darkened.

Not missing his reaction, Mikael stomped over and planted himself right in front of him.

Just standing that close made the air feel heavier.

But Mikael refused to back down.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"I’ll say this once, so listen carefully. I don’t like you. Not even a little bit."

"…"

"If you lay a hand on my mom, I won’t let it slide. Got it?"

"How terrifying."

Cabelenus rolled his eyes and turned his head away.

"Why won’t you answer me? Say you won’t touch her!"

"And why should I?"

"You—!"

"Mikael!"

A sharp voice tore through the air.

Both Mikael and Cabelenus turned toward the sound at the same time.

Alicia stood frozen, her face pale as death.

"Uh… Uh, hic!"

Mikael flinched at her expression, a hiccup escaping his lips.

Alicia, frantically scanning the scene, rushed forward and pulled him into her arms.

"Are you okay, Mikael? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I-I’m fi—hic! Hic!"

"Mom’s here now. You’re okay. You’re completely okay."

Alicia examined him for injuries before hugging him tightly against her chest.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she rubbed his back.

"Alicia."

"Please, just leave."

"I was only—"

"I told you already. I don’t need your help."

Her icy stare silenced Cabelenus.

For the first time in years, he had nothing to say.

***

"Mom, actually… I talked to him first."

"You did?"

"Yeah. So, it wasn’t his fault."

Mikael fidgeted with his fingers, glancing away.

He still didn’t like Cabelenus, but he didn’t want to lie to his mother either.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d hate it that much."

"…"

"No. I should be the one apologizing."

Alicia covered her face with both hands.

She had never meant to react that way.

But seeing Mikael alone with Cabelenus had made her mind go blank.

Mikael was so small.

So much smaller than Cabelenus.

"Should I go apologize?"

"I’ll do it. But promise me, Mikael—don’t ever be alone with him again."

"But… didn’t you say not to hate him too much?"

Mikael’s lips pressed into a pout.

Seeing Alicia’s firm expression, he lowered his head.

"Okay. I won’t do it again."

"…"

"I just…"

Alicia’s heart clenched.

She reached out and stroked his hair.

The silky strands tangled in her fingers, grounding her.

Everything had happened so fast.

Her hands were still shaking.

"No. I’m sorry. I’ve been too tense lately. Don’t worry about it, okay?"

She forced a smile.

Mikael didn’t need to be burdened with adult problems.

"Mom, are you sick?"

"A little rest, and I’ll be fine."

Alicia smiled, and just like that, Mikael’s expression brightened.

"More importantly, I was thinking of baking cookies. Want to help me?"

"Cookies?"

"I’ll make a lot of peanut and butter cookies, your favorites. How does that sound?"

"Yes! But I get to cut out the shapes!"

"Of course. If you help, they’ll taste even better."

As she stroked Mikael’s head, Alicia’s gaze flickered toward the window.

Even though she tried not to, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still out there.

***

A small hand suddenly appeared before him.

Cabelenus frowned, a deep crease forming between his brows.

But the hand’s owner was undeterred, waving a paper bag back and forth in an attempt to grab his attention.

"What exactly do you think you’re doing?"

"I’m here to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"I’m sorry for not sticking up for you before."

"…"

"Won’t you accept it?"

Mikael stretched the bag out further.

Cabelenus caught a faint whiff of butter through the paper and arched a brow.

"I don’t eat sweets."

"But this isn’t just any sweet."

"It looks exactly like every other one."

Cabelenus tilted his head slightly.

"It’s different because my mom made it."

Mikael mimicked his posture, standing firm as if that alone proved his point.

"Alicia made it herself?"

"What gives you the right to call my mom’s—Hey! Why are you taking it?!"

"You brought it for me, didn’t you?"

Ignoring Mikael’s furious little jumps as he tried to reclaim the bag, Cabelenus opened it.

Mikael huffed, realizing he wasn’t going to win.

"Didn’t you say you don’t eat sweets?"

"This is an exception."

"Agh! I shouldn’t have brought it!"

Mikael stomped his foot dramatically but couldn’t tear his gaze away as Cabelenus peered into the bag.

His silver eyes betrayed a glimmer of expectation.

"It’s good, right?"

"I haven’t even taken a bite yet."

"Why are you always so mean when you talk?"

"Because I don’t like you."

"Well, I don’t like you either! I really shouldn’t have come!"

He had risked getting scolded by his mother to come here, but any guilt he felt had already disappeared.

Mikael crossed his arms, glaring.

He had another reason for coming today, and he wasn’t about to forget it.

"Just so you know, don’t get any ideas. I didn’t come because I like you."

"Then why are you here?"

"I’m here to keep an eye on you. Suspicious people need to be watched."

"Suspicious?"

Cabelenus’s expression turned flatly amused, his gaze filled with obvious mockery.

Mikael’s face twisted in frustration.

He had thought this man was just cold and serious, but now he could see—he was just plain awful.

"Listen carefully. Mom doesn’t like you."

Not even a little bit.

Mikael straightened his back, tilting his chin up defiantly.

"I’m going to protect her from you. No matter what, I’ll always be on my mom’s side. I’ll keep her safe. So, stop bothering her and just go home."

"And if I don’t?"

"Then you’ll have to fight me."

"What could I possibly gain from fighting a little brat?"

"I’m not a brat! I’m terrifying!"

Mikael attempted his scariest expression.

Cabelenus remained utterly unimpressed.

Seeing that his intimidation wasn’t working, Mikael pushed his chest forward, trying to look bigger.

But Cabelenus ignored him entirely, turning his attention back to the bag of cookies.

The scent of butter and peanuts filled the air as he pulled one out.

Crunch.

"It’s good, right?"

Mikael was already asking before Cabelenus had even finished chewing.

Cabelenus simply continued eating, taking his time.

"It’s really good, right?"

Mikael asked again, impatient.

Cabelenus wrinkled his brow and shook his head.

"No."

The rich peanut flavor and buttery sweetness weren’t unpleasant, but the cookies were far too sweet for his taste.

They were made to appeal to children, not a man like him.

"You’re lying. There’s no way my mom’s cookies taste bad!"

"They’re not to my taste."

"Then stop eating them and give them back!"

"No."

Cabelenus grabbed another one, taking a slow bite.

The second cookie was just as sweet, but that didn’t mean he was going to give it up.

"You said they weren’t good!"

"I never said that. I just said they weren’t my preference."

"That’s the same thing!"

"It’s not."

"You’re messing with me, aren’t you?"

Grinding his teeth, Mikael eyed him mischievously.

Then, in one swift movement, he ran behind Cabelenus and kicked his calf as hard as he could.

Thud!

Mikael yelped and immediately dropped to the ground, clutching his foot.

"Hah. You sure know how to entertain yourself. Guess I don’t have to worry about you getting bored."

Cabelenus sighed, popping another cookie into his mouth.

"…Do you have rocks in your legs or something?!"

"Of course not."

"Then how is this possible?! You’re built like a stone wall!"

Mikael sniffled, his eyes watery.

"It’s because you’re weak."

"I am not weak! I’m super strong!"

"You’re weak. Very."

"No, I’m not!"

Cabelenus looked completely unbothered by his protests, which only made Mikael even angrier.

He had been the one to attack first, so why was he the only one in pain?

"It’s not me—it’s you who’s weird! You monster!"

Mikael’s sharp yell cut through the air.

For a moment, Cabelenus’s eyes darkened.