Gideon''s eyes held a hint of sadness as he gave a self-derisive smile. "You must feel happy now, right?" "Happy?" Calliope shrugged. "Not really. You and I are done, Gideon. Your ups and downs don''t really concern me anymore."


    With that, she sidestepped him, heading towards her car.


    But Gideon reached out, trying to grab her arm. "Callie, let me give you a ride home."


    Calliope deftly dodged his grasp, ncing at him before replying, "No need, my driver is waiting."


    "I insist," Gideon pressed. "Callie, hop in my car."


    "It''s not appropriate," Calliope shot back. "I''m your aunt-inw now, Gideon. Let''s not forget that. And you''re about to get married. Everyone knows about our past. What do you think people will say if they see you giving me a ride?"


    "But I want to," Gideon said fervently. "I''m feeling really troubled, and I want to talk."


    "No," Calliope replied bluntly.


    "Callie, I regret it. I really do. She doesn''t hold a candle to you. You''re better in every way." Gideon took a couple of steps to block her path. "You still care about me, don''t you? Otherwise, you wouldn''t have helped me at dinner."


    "I wasn''t helping you. Eamon couldn''t stand it anymore and asked me to step in." She looked at him incredulously. "Aren''t you iming to care about Yvette? If you love her, you shouldn''t mind her family''s ws." "I..."


    "See? You really haven''t changed your douchebag self," Calliope scoffed. "Gideon, if you carry on like this, you''ll end up losing even Yvette."


    She turned away, quickening her pace.


    But Gideon was relentless, catching up to her. He tried to insist on taking her with him.


    Helpless, Calliope turned to Gideon, ncing at his hand clutched her arm, and uttered impassively, "Gideon, let go. If you keep this up, I won''t hold back.''


    Ignoring her warning, Gideon moved closer. Calliope frowned, swiftly locking his arm and, with a decisive motion, flipped him over her shoulder.


    Gideonnded with a thud, staring up at her in shock. "Callie... doesn''t it hurt you to see me like this?" "Spare me the gross line." Calliope said, her voice icy. She gave him a few more punches for good measure, then dusted off her hands in distaste.


    "Ms. Jewell..." Her driver, an older


    man, had been waiting by the car and approached when he heard themotion. "Is everything alright? I thought I heard something


    "Nothing major, Just a stray dog." Calliope swiftly blocked the view by standing in front of Gideon. The driver squinted into the darkness unable to see clearly and simply said, Astray dog? Those can be dangerous, might carry rabies. You didn''t get bitten, did you?"


    "No, I chased it off," Calliope said. "Let''s go."


    "Alright, I''ll take you home."


    As the driver turned to leave, Gideon


    tried to call out, but Calliope


    discreetly nted her foot on his mouth. She didn''t apply much pressure, but with his mouth


    vel


    covered, Gideon''s expression was one of pure frustration.