Calliope stayed silent while Ss fixed his gaze on Gideon for what felt like an eternity.


    "Just a ''Happy Birthday'' without a gift, huh?"


    "That''s a bit rude. Don''t you think so?"


    Gideon was stunned. He had shown up drunk and impulsive, unsettled by Ss celebrating Calliope''s birthday. The thought of bringing a gift hadn''t even crossed his mind. Seeing her, he felt a heavy weight in his chest. She seemed happier, more alive, without him.


    "Sorry, I forgot to bring a gift," Gideon said, frowning.


    "That''s okay. You don''t need to give gifts immediately. If I remember correctly, you''ve got a ce in Misty Haven. If you gave that to Calliope, she''d be quite pleased." Ss raised an eyebrow at Gideon.


    Gideon hesitated, caught off guard.


    "What''s wrong, having second thoughts?"


    "No, it''s not that..." Gideon dared not defy Ss. He knew he had toply if Ss wanted him to gift the house.


    "Well, if you wouldn''t mind, Calliope, the house in Misty Haven is yours. I''ll have the paperwork sorted out and transferred to you soon."


    Calliope smiled slightly. "I don''t mind at all."


    The Misty Haven house was one she had asked Gideon to buy years ago. She cherished it because she and her grandfather had once rented it together. Though she hadn''t lived there in a while, it remained under Gideon''s name.


    Gideon had once promised to give it to her but never followed through. He nearly let Yvette move in, which had sparked a big argument between them.


    She never expected Ss to step in and secure the house for her. It was full of memories of her grandfather, and she had always wanted it back.


    She had thought of buying it from Gideon, but he never agreed. He imed what was his was hers, too. Perhaps she used to believe that, but now she knew better.


    Gideon felt a pang of frustration. He


    knew how much Calliope cared about that house. With it in his


    possession, Calliope would inevitablye to him because of it. But Ss had taken matters into his own hands.


    "Callie,e over here. Let me introduce you to some friends," Ss said softly, taking Calliope''s hand. Gideon watched as Ss led Calliope away, introducing her to his close buddies. They all smiled warmly, showing her respect.


    The scene was a stark contrast to when Calliope had asked Gideon to introduce her to his friends. He had refused her countless times. He thought she didn''t belong and


    wouldn''t fit in with his crowd yel.ne


    IMS


    But watching her easily converse with Ss''s friends and seeing Ss eagerly introduce her made his chest tighten painfully.


    Somewhere along the line, something had gone wrong, and it frustrated him deeply.


    He shouldn''t care about Calliope. And his interest had always been in his grandfather''s shares, right? He was with her because he had been forced, wasn''t he?


    Even though the shares were gone now, wasn''t he free? He should be happy, right? Yes, he should be happy.


    There was nothing about her that would keep Ss interested. Ss would tire of her eventually. Gideon kept his eyes on Calliope''s direction for a long time, his vision blurring with unshed tears.