"One day, they''ll discover the truth behind it all. Whether they regret it or not doesn''t really matter. Callie can live a fantastic life. She''s wasted enough of her time on them already. There''s no need for her to waste anymore."


    Calliope nodded. "Yeah, exactly."


    She used to be so reserved. Initially, she only wanted to see if they truly cared for her, but slowly, she realized they were drifting further and further away. She lost interest in sharing everything she had with them.


    "Here, eat." Ss had somehow picked up a buffalo wing and held it to her lips.


    Calliope took a bite, savoring the spicy kick. She nced at Ss, her eyes crinkling into a smile.


    Ss was caught in her gaze, his ears turning a shade of red.


    Portia gave Archie a nudge and raised an eyebrow at the scene.


    Archie frowned, sizing up the situation, then took several swigs of his beer.


    They all kept munching on buffalo wings,ughing and chatting away, downing more drinks than they probably should have.


    Calliope had quite a bit to drink, too. Despite thefort her friends offered, the disappointment of her own parents-those hopes she harbored-shattered, leaving her quietly aching inside. It was hard not to hope, and even harder not to feel let down.


    With the alcohol buzzing in her system, she clung a little closer to Ss on the way back.


    "Why don''t they like me?"


    "They brought me into this world. Did I have a say in it?"


    "They had me, but they don''t take responsibility. They only care about their adopted daughter. Why do they treat me this way? Wouldn''t it have been better if I weren''t born?"


    "I''ve never done anything horrible. I''m not a curse. I''m not. I haven''t brought them any disaster!"


    "I''ve been trying to help them sort out their messes, but they don''t see it!"


    Ss tenderly mussed her hair. "It''s not your fault. It''s their problem. You didn''t have a choice."


    "They''re the ones missing out without you, so don''t be sad."


    "They might not love you, but I do. You''re not a curse. You''re my good luck charm, my little lucky star."


    "Callie, I''ll always love you. Even if


    world turns its back


    the Wever will. Not now, not


    you,


    swnot


    Calliope rested in Ss''s arms, looking at him. "Really? You won''t abandon me?" "Never, not ever!"


    "No, you wilt... you will, Ss, you will!" Calliope pulled away, retreating to a corner, her eyes red with tears. "You''ll abandon me, too! Grandpa left me, they left me, and you''ll leave me someday!"


    "Don''te any closer. I don''t want to hurt anymore. I don''t want to be sad anymore!" "I''ve died once. I don''t want to die again..." Calliope rambled, lost in her emotions.


    Ss knitted his brows and pulled


    her close "No, you won''t die again. I''m here, and no one will hurt you. I''ll never-abandon you. Only you could leave me, never the other way around."


    "Callie, you have no idea how much I love you..." "For you, I''d do anything. For you, I''d go all out..."