Calliope was on the verge of just walking away.


    She couldn''t wrap her head around it. She used to adore Gideon, did so much for him, yet he was always so elusive, like a shadow she could never catch. She rarely knew where he was.


    He never even bothered to show up at her fondue restaurant. He''d made up his mind that her working there was beneath him, like she was some kind of embarrassment.


    But now? He kept popping up in front of her like an unwanted ghost. Hadn''t she made it clear enough to him?


    Gideon noticed Calliope, and he also noticed her stiff gait, which reminded him of something Ss had said.


    Ss imed they''d been intimate. He even bragged about how harmonious their life was and how they were nning for a baby!


    Calliope, shameless as ever. She hadn''t even officially broken up with him before marrying his uncle and crawling into his bed!


    The thought made Gideon''s blood boil, especially after the morning he''d had.


    "Did you really sleep with Uncle Ss?" Gideon demanded, watching as Calliope seemed to ignore him, heading in the opposite direction. His anger spiked to the limit.


    He abruptly stood up and grabbed Calliope''s wrist, yanking her violently into the backyard with him. Rafferty stepped out just in time to witness this. The restaurant was bustling, and he made sure the customers were looked after before following them into the backyard.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" Rafferty''s voice was cold, ready for a confrontation.


    Gideon nced back at Rafferty, surprised at how handsome this chef was. After a dismissive nce, he said, "This doesn''t concern you."


    "Let Callie go," Rafferty said firmly.


    "Callie? Quite cozy, aren''t you?" Gideon sneered, looking Rafferty up and down. "What''s your deal with her?"


    "That''s none of your business," Calliope interjected, kicking Gideon sharply in the shin.


    Gideon winced in pain, releasing her arm.


    "Rafferty, go take care of the customers. I''ve got this," Calliope said, signaling for him to leave.


    Rafferty eyed Gideon warily but eventually turned to leave.


    Calliope sat down at a nearby pic table, casting a nce at Gideon. "Gideon, what is it with you? Why do you keep showing up in my life?"


    Gideon''s gaze was intense, scrutinizing her. "Calliope, you''re so shameless."


    Calliope blinked, baffled. "What?"


    "Do you have any self-respect?"


    "What are you talking about?" Her expression was one of genuine confusion.


    "You slept with my uncle, didn''t you?" Gideon sneered. "ying innocent with me while spreading your legs for him, right?"


    "Is it money that makes you so easy? Is that guy back there another one of your conquests?"


    "And what about your so-called brothers? None of them are blood-rted, right? Did you sleep with them too? You''re disgusting."


    Gideon spat his words venomously.


    Calliope burst intoughter, incredulous. "Gideon, are you delusional? I have no idea you have such an imagination!"