Chapter 439

Calliope glanced over at Horatio. “Do you think I’m here begging for your love?”

She chuckled softly. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ve got to ask–how much is your love really worth?”

“That isn’t something you measure in dollars and cents,” Horatio replied, furrowing his brow.

“Oh, really? Then how do you measure it?” Calliope stepped closer, standing right in front of him. “Is it by the insults, the betrayals, the humiliations? Is it the lack of trust, the favoritism? Is that your idea of love? Do you think I’m some kind of masochist who still craves your love? Well, newsflash–I don’t need it anymore, and I sure as hell don’t love you back,” she said, her smile turning gradually frosty.

“After having a near-death experience, I realized something crucial–I won’t get your love, and I don’t want it. Don’t worry, aside from your meaningless love, I’ve got plenty of other care in my life. I have my brothers–three wonderful, caring brothers–and a husband who treats me like gold. I might not have parents, but it doesn’t matter, who needs parents like that?”

Calliope laughed lightly. “My brothers love me dearly. Even without a drop of shared blood, they’re more family to me than you ever were.”

Horatio’s face paled. He opened his mouth, trying to find words that wouldn’t come. Hearing her talk about the love of her brothers with no blood ties pricked something uncomfortable within him, and when she declared she didn’t love them anymore, it left an unexpected void.

“Alright, we’re adults, enough with the melodrama. Save your love for Lisette. It’s not worth a dime to me. I’ll get what I want through my own strength.”

Calliope shrugged.

Monty watched her, feeling a sense of unease creep in. Her words, her demeanor–they were all so different. The little girl who once looked to him for approval now regarded him with the indifference of a stranger.

“Okay, enough of this,” Monty interjected awkwardly. “Callie, let’s head to the office and talk things over.” He forced a smile, glancing at her. He'd often overlooked her, never giving her much thought, but now, seeing her, she seemed like someone entirely new–and somehow unfamiliar.

She was his daughter, yet he realized with a jolt that he knew less about her than he did about Lisette. He vaguely remembered Zelda calling her a jinx, but he didn’t mind her back then. When did he start ignoring her completely?

Horatio was also studying Calliope, wondering when she’d changed so much. He felt as if he didn’t know her at all anymore. They’d neglected her, and now it was clear. They’d never really connected with her, never noticed the things she’d been quietly achieving.

They were oblivious to the fact that she owned the Pearl Tiger Club. Even more surprising, she had properties everywhere, collecting rent like some real estate mogul.