Callum had an excellent sense of boundaries. He never asked overly personal questions or tried to force familiarity.
After a few sips of coffee, he seemed more at ease. He looked at Diana with a calm, steady gaze. "Ms. Hutton, there's something I've thought over carefully, and in the end, I decided you have a right to know."
Diana met his eyes. "Go on."
"Last night, Mr. Kingston invited my father to dinner, and he brought you up during the meal." Callum's tone remained even, as though he were simply recounting something that had nothing to do with him. "He said the two of you had just had a misunderstanding, that you'd make up soon, and that he hoped the Sandhill family wouldn't interfere."
Those last few words held no trace of mockery, only a hint of helplessness.
Diana's fingers tightened slightly around her cup, but her expression remained unchanged. "He said that to your father himself?"
Callum nodded. "My father called me afterward and told me to use my own judgment. I thought Mr. Kingston's approach was rather underhanded, so I decided you should know."
Diana set down her teacup. "Thank you for telling me, Mr. Sandhill."
"It's only right." Callum leaned forward slightly and refilled her cup. "There's something else I'd like to say. No matter how Mr. Kingston explains things to other people, I only care about your own position, Ms. Hutton. You told me before that you're already going through the divorce process, and I believe you."
Diana looked up at him, a hint of scrutiny in her gaze.
Callum met her eyes without flinching or looking away. His expression was open and completely sincere.
"So if all you want is to have coffee with me, Ms. Hutton, then we'll simply have coffee. And if you're willing to get to know me better, I'd be glad for that too."
His words were neither presumptuous nor evasive. They struck exactly the right balance.
Diana looked at him and smiled. "The way you speak is quite different from the last time we met, Mr. Sandhill."
"Last time was our first meeting. I didn't dare be too forward." Callum picked up his cup, took a sip, and smiled faintly. "This time, we're friends."
Diana did not answer. She took a small sip of tea, checked the time, and stood to leave.
Callum walked her to the entrance of the café. "Take care on your way home, Ms. Hutton."
…
By the time Diana returned to the old estate, night had fallen.
Elizabeth was sitting in the living room watching television. She looked over with concern. "Are you tired?"


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