Chapter 10

“Get out of this house.”

Calliope cast a glance at Monty, then at her three brothers, and finally at Zelda and Lisette standing on the stairs. She turned her head to look at the family portrait hanging on the wall. Ironically, it featured the entire family—everyone except her. The portrait had been taken a year after Lisette arrived. On the day of the shoot, Lisette had locked her away somewhere, and they had gone ahead and taken the picture without her. They had even scolded her harshly, blaming her for wandering off. She had tried to explain, but no one listened. Later, at Lisette’s insistence, the portrait was hung up, but she was never in it.

“To all of you, I’m just extra baggage. From now on, I won’t be coming back. And just so you know, Silas and I are married. He’s my husband now!”

“Calliope, what’s with the drama!” Horatio stood up. “Do you really have to disrupt this family? I know we treat Lisette well, but she deserves it!”

Calliope turned, meeting Horatio’s gaze with a sharp, mocking smile. “Right, she’s good to you, and I’m not.”

“Lisette healed my leg. Without her, I’d be a cripple! She saved Valerian’s life. Without Lisette, he wouldn’t be here! Ulysses’s success in the entertainment industry? All thanks to Lisette! You should be grateful! We’re grateful to Lisette, but we haven’t treated you poorly, have we? Why are you always competing with her?”

Calliope chuckled softly. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t compete with her anymore.”

She saved them; everything was thanks to her. Ridiculously, no one believed it. They were convinced it must be sweet and kind Lisette, not her, the wicked biological sister.

Fine. She didn’t belong. She was leaving.

Calliope walked out, pulling her suitcases without a backward glance.

Zelda clutched her chest in frustration. “That ungrateful brat! Forget her, she’s just a jinx! When she was born, the priest said she’d bring bad luck to our family! It’s good she’s gone. Lisette will bring us good fortune!”

Horatio sighed. “She’s only getting more and more unreasonable.”

Valerian nodded. “Let her taste the real world. Once she hits rock bottom, she’ll come crawling back.”

“Mom, don’t blame her. Maybe it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come into our family. I’ve taken so much from her; it’s normal for her to be upset.”

Lisette’s performance was flawless.

“It’s not your fault. It’s her own behavior!”

“Lisette, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t on you!”

Gideon returned later that evening. He had been out of town and only remembered the wedding was yesterday after getting a call from Lisette. He wasn’t too worried, though. Calliope loved him deeply. Even if he upset her, she couldn’t go a day without apologizing and trying to please him. It was just a wedding, after all. She wanted to marry him so badly that even if he wasn’t there, she’d find a way to explain to the guests and keep the ceremony going.

Gideon glanced at his watch. It was nearly the end of the workday, and knowing Calliope, she must be impatiently waiting to come find him.