Chapter 34

“How do you even talk to me like that?”

The young mechanic, with his tousled blond hair, was taken aback. He hadn’t even said a word before being labeled as some sort of misfit friend.

“I can smell he’s trouble just by looking at him.” Valerian furrowed his brows, clearly annoyed. “I don’t need you here checking up on me. Lisette with me is enough. You’re always causing a scene. Is it really appropriate for you to be here at this hour?”

“Oh, so it’s fine for her to come but not me?” Calliope shot back with a sarcastic laugh. “This isn’t your place anyway. And, for the record, I’m not here for you.”

“Hey, Callie, don’t be mad. Valerian’s just worried about you,” Lisette chimed in, trying to play peacemaker. “He didn’t say you couldn’t be here. It’s just a bit chaotic, and he doesn’t want you to get into any trouble.”

“I’m about to race, so I can’t keep an eye on you,” Valerian said. “Go home, and don’t cause any trouble here.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not here for you,” Calliope retorted, dismissing Valerian.

She lifted her eyes and when she caught sight of Norton, her face lit up.

“Hey, bro!”

She sprinted towards Norton.

Clad in his racing suit, Norton stood tall at six-foot-two, with his slightly tousled hair and striking features that made him stand out in any crowd.

As Calliope dashed toward him, Norton caught her in a warm embrace, ruffling her hair affectionately.

At first, he was caught off guard, unsure if she was really calling out to him. But when she ran into his arms, his face broke into a broad grin.

She was indeed calling him! His little Callie finally recognized him again!

“Hey there, kiddo, you finally remembered you have a brother?” Norton teased her, his voice filled with affection. “I thought you might never want to acknowledge me again. You returned everything I sent you, you know.”

“Never. How could I not recognize you?” Calliope’s voice muffled as she nestled into Norton’s embrace, her own eyes stinging with emotion.

“I’m sorry, Norton. Do you blame me? I was wrong before. Now I know that you all care about me the most.”

“Silly girl. No matter what you do, I would never hold it against you,” Norton assured her with a gentle smile. “Did you come here to cheer me on today?”

“Yes,” Calliope nodded, her eyes reddened.

She remembered in her past life, even when Norton had been reduced to a shadow of his former self, he had never blamed her, even knowing she could have saved him but didn’t.

“Norton, where’s your car? I brought someone to help check it out,” Calliope asked Norton eagerly.

Norton initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the redness in Calliope’s eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say no.

He relented and let Calliope and the mechanic head over to inspect his car.

Not far off, Lisette watched as Calliope ran into the arms of a handsome stranger. She paused, a puzzled look crossing her face, and turned to Valerian beside her.

“Valerian, do you know who that guy is? Has Callie acknowledged a new brother or something?”

Valerian felt a wave of frustration, especially when he saw Calliope being so affectionate with Norton. It left him feeling unsettled.

Chapter 35

Who was he? Why was Callie calling him brother?

She had never been this close to him, her actual brother, but seemed completely at ease with this stranger.