"Yep," Damien nodded, his gaze steady on the road ahead.


    Calliope turned and returned to her room, feeling a swirl of emotions. She dialed Ss on a video call.


    A few minutester, Gideon appeared in the garden, looking like a drowned rat, soaked to the bone from the sudden downpour.


    "Callie, I''m here!"


    "Callie, I''vee for you!"


    "I know I messed up!"


    "Just say the word, and I won''t go through with the wedding. I''ll marry you, only you!"


    "Uncle Ss''s not around, so you don''t have to worry about him. With me here, you don''t have to be afraid of anything. Just follow your heart!"


    Gideon shouted desperately toward the lit window of the manor, rain streaming down his face. The night air was chilly, but he seemed oblivious, ignoring Damien and the others as he pleaded with Calliope, his voice echoing through the rain. "Callie, I know I was wrong. You can hit me or whatever you want!"


    "Juste out, please!"


    "Don''t be mad. I know you still love me. You only turned to Uncle Ss because you were upset! You can''t possibly love him!"


    "You''ve always loved me, haven''t you? As long as your heart''s with me, Uncle Ss can''t do anything about it!"


    "Grandpa''s always liked you. He''ll respect your choice too!"


    Gideon''s cries filled the night, but Calliope couldn''t hear a thing inside. She was


    on the bed, engrossed in her video chat with Ss.


    "I miss you. I wish I could hug you."


    Ss was freshly showered,


    wrapped in a plush bathrobe, his hair still damp. He looked unkempt but was in a ruggedly handsome way ina


    that made him more appealing.


    IMS


    "How can my husband be so hot? Your charm outshines Gideon''s."


    Her words made Ss''s eyes darken with intensity. He leaned closer to the camera as if trying to see her more clearly.


    "Really? Did you talk much with Gideon today?"


    "No. But I did have a long chat with Eamon," Calliope replied softly. "I''m sorry."


    "Sorry for what?" Ss furrowed his brow in confusion.


    "I know so little about you. I''ve never understood your world, but I''ll


    change that. From now on, I''ll


    understand and protecto


    Was Ss''s biological father that formidable? No matter what, she would protect


    Ss. With her around, no one would dare to bully him.


    Ss paused, surprised. "You found out?"


    "Yeah." Calliope looked at Ss, her heart aching for the little boy he once was, facing challenges alone How heartbreaking it must have been. He seemed so strong now, but surely, he carried the shadows of his past.


    Ss gave a gentle smile, his voice tender. "That''s all in the past. There''s no need


    to worry."


    "But I still want to hug you, to protect you."


    Ss smiled, "When I get back, I''ll let you."


    "Okay." Calliope recounted her conversation with Eamon and the trouble with the


    car.


    "My wife is amazing," Ss praised, "You even know how to fix a car."


    "Piece of cake," Calliope grinned. "I learned from the best."