Chapter 12

Gideon practically bounced with excitement as he made his way home, his mind filled with the comforting image of a warm, welcoming house. He imagined Calliope, his wife, having everything ready for him.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her famous pot roast—the kind that filled the house with an irresistible aroma.

By the time he pulled over, his stomach was already rumbling in anticipation.

He hurried his pace, eager to reach his doorstep, fully intending to punch in his key code to open the door.

But then, he hesitated.

Calliope might have already moved in. She had been so eager to marry him, always dropping by to cook even before they were officially married. Surely, now that they were, she would have moved in right away.

Instead of using the code, he decided to ring the doorbell.

He pressed it once, twice, three times…

Gideon waited, but the door remained shut. No one came to greet him.

Frowning, he finally entered the code himself and stepped inside, expecting to find Calliope, maybe in a playful huff or perhaps sulking a bit. He imagined a table laden with food, a cozy scene of domestic bliss waiting for him.

But the house was eerily silent. The dining table was bare, the rooms empty, and there was no sign of Calliope or her culinary magic.

Irritated, Gideon dropped his suitcase by the door and dialed Calliope’s number.

The call connected quickly.

“Calliope, where are you? Don’t you remember we’re married now? Shouldn’t you be at home, cooking and waiting for me? Aren’t you supposed to be a proper wife?”

Gideon took a deep breath, continuing, “I know you might be upset, but didn’t we have a great wedding? You even handed out chocolate at the office. Come on, come back. I’m starving and craving your cooking.”

Meanwhile, at the Myers Manor, Calliope stood by a window.

Outside, the garden was bursting with vibrant roses of every kind, her favorite blooms, climbing and sprawling in a riot of color.

She listened patiently to Gideon’s words, her fingers idly playing with the curtain.

“Yes, the wedding went off without a hitch,” she replied slowly, “but Gideon, you weren’t the groom. Why should I cook for you or come to your house? What are you dreaming about?”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Gideon’s voice crackled with irritation. “If I’m not the groom, then who is? You can’t just conjure up a new husband out of nowhere!”

Calliope’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Well, I did just that. Thanks to you, I found the perfect husband! Better looking, in better shape, more capable…” she continued, “There’s not a single thing where you measure up to him.”

As she spoke, Calliope didn’t notice Silas quietly approaching from behind. With his usual stoic demeanor, he stood a little too close, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“If he’s so perfect, why are you still on the phone with your ex? Haven’t you blocked him yet?” Silas teased, his voice a deep, pleasant rumble.

Startled, Calliope spun around to see Silas towering over her, his features flawless and sharp. The light fell gently on his hair, giving it a soft glow.

Her heart skipped a beat, and a deep flush spread across her cheeks.

Chapter 13

“Calliope, who’s that? Which random guy are you with?” Gideon’s angry voice blared through the phone.

With a shaky hand, Calliope ended the call.

Silas leaned in slightly, his movement graceful as he took her phone. With a few taps, he blocked Gideon’s number.