Calliope first gave Ss a once-over, ensuring he was indeed unscathed, and only then did she sigh with relief.


    Yara nced up at Ss, a smirk ying on her lips. "Your wife''s quite something. You better appreciate her," she said with a slight nod before turning on her heel and walking away.


    Now it was just Calliope and Ss.


    Ss stepped forward, wrapping Calliope in his arms. He leaned in close, his voice a soft whisper in her ear, "Thank you."


    Calliope looked up at him with her clear, bright eyes. "How did Yara corner you like that?"


    Ss met her gaze, understanding that she might have pieced together what had happened. He didn''t bother with an exnation, instead gently ruffling her hair.


    Calliope wisely chose not to press further. She didn''t know Ss''s exact intentions, but she trusted he had his reasons, and she was content to follow his lead.


    Together, they descended the grand spiral staircase. As they made their way down, the crowd below turned their attention to the striking duo. Ss, in his dark gray suit, stood beside Calliope, the pair looking like they had stepped right out of an elegantic strip under the twinkling chandelier.


    Their striking appearancemanded the room''s attention. Most of the guests were aware that Calliope had taken up Yara''s challenge all for Ss''s sake. Yara''s affection for Ss wasn''t exactly a secret, and neither was the fact that Ss had married Calliope.


    Yara had thrown the party specifically to make things difficult for Calliope. Even those clueless at the start could grasp the situation now.


    All eyes shifted toward Yara.


    Lifting her ss with a wry smile, Yara chuckled, "Why''s everyone looking at me?


    I can''tpete with Callie. I concede, fair and square!"


    "You''ve got ss, Yara!" someone said.


    "Yara''s always been one to ept her losses gracefully."


    "Ms. Jewell and Mr. Myers make quite the pair!"


    "Yara will find someone better."


    Yara cast a long, meaningful nce. at Ss, No other man caught her eye like he did. But with Ss


    married, her window of opportunity had firmly closed.


    "Mr. Myers, remember to treat your darling wife well. She''s battled alligators and tigers for you. If you don''t won''t let you off easy!" Yara teased, raising an eyebrow at Ss.


    en


    The surrounding guests nodded in agreement.


    "Mrs. Myers is truly something special!"


    "Mr. Myers should cherish his wife. She''s gone to great lengths to win him back!"


    Ss turned to Calliope, intertwining their fingers. "Of course," he replied with a smile.


    After that, the two of them descended the stairs, exchanged farewells with Yara, and prepared to leave.


    Uriah followed closely behind them.


    "Hey, are you two going to leave without even acknowledging me?" he called out, feigning indignation. He''d been by Calliope''s side, watching her back, and now it felt like they were ready to forget him the moment the coast was clear.


    Ss stopped in his tracks, turning to face Uriah with mock seriousness. "What do


    you want? Toe home with us and share the bed?" he asked.


    Uriah rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Thanks a lot, Ss," he muttered sarcastically.