He''d have the support of his father-inw''s family, their backing and assistance, but not just Yvette''s family dragging him down.


    Calliope smiled but said nothing. She nced at Fleur, then at Gideon, honestly grateful for their opposition. Without them, she wouldn''t have had the chance to meet Ss. She wouldn''t have married him or discovered such a wonderful person existed.


    The group sat in the living room for a while, chatting and taking care of a few things. Before they knew it, the evening hade.


    After dinner, everyone was ready to head home.


    Calliope was about to leave when she realized her car was acting up, refusing to start.


    Gideon''s car was parked nearby, and he noticed her predicament. He got out and walked over to her.


    "Car trouble?" he asked.


    Calliope nodded, stepping out of the car and popping open the hood.


    "Let me take a look," Gideon offered, eager to show off his skills.


    Before Calliope could respond, Gideon had already nudged her aside, diving into examining her car.


    Calliope stood there quietly, ncing over at the passenger seat of Gideon''s car where Yvette sat, looking rather unhappy.


    Gideon fiddled around under the hood, poking here and there without much idea of what he was doing. He certainly looked the part, though, as if he knew exactly what was going on.


    "Any luck figuring it out?" Calliope asked after a while.


    "It''s tricky, Gideon replied, scratching his head. "I think we''ll need a pro toe and fix this Leave your car here, and I''ll get someone to sort it out. You can ride with me. I''ll take you home


    He was all too eager to impress.


    Calliope just stared at him, realizing how clueless he was. She wondered how she ever thought she wasan love with him. It was like she''d been under a spell.


    "Mind stepping aside?" Calliope asked.


    Gideon obliged, stepping back.


    "Callie, it''s reallyplicated. Don''t bother," he insisted. "I''ll call someone to fix it."


    Calliope gave him a cold, measured look, then leaned under the hood, made a few quick adjustments, and mmed it shut.


    "You won''t get it running like that," Gideon warned, frowning. "I checked it myself. It needs a professional!"


    Ignoring him, Calliope dusted off her hands, got into the driver''s seat, and buckled up.


    "Callie, even if you''re mad at me, you don''t have to do this!" Gideon called out, exasperated. "I told you, it''s not going to start!"


    Calliope shot him a look, then turned the key. The next second, engine roared to life.


    "Move," Calliope said curtly.


    Gideon''s face was a mix of shock


    and disbelief. He stood there as Calliope drove off, her car


    vel.


    disappearing into the night with a slick swerve.