Chapter 13

Calliope's lashes fluttered faintly, but she stayed quiet. Mia picked up another pair of ruby earrings. "These are the Blazing Love earrings," she said softly, looking at them. "You pulled those all-nighters to finish that AI demo for Mr. Sterling. Worked yourself sick. He stayed by your side for days, then bought these." "He told me they represent the fire you burned for him-and the love he'd never let die." Calliope's fingertips curled slightly. Mia continued, listing each piece of jewelry one by one. And with each one came another memory-those intense days full of passion and devotion. Times that once made her heart race, made her believe in forever. Now? Each story felt like a sugar-coated dagger, stabbing its way into her chest. Her eyes reddened-it was impossible to hold it back. She didn't get it. How could a guy who used to get all torn up just because her period cramps hurt, who clumsily made her chicken soup, who'd run out in the dead of night just to get her warming patches... How did that man turn into someone so heartless during the next seven years? How did he stand by and watch her lie on that freezing cold operating table time after time-while acting like it meant nothing? She shut her eyes for a moment. When they opened again, all the warmth was gone, replaced by an icy calm. Taking a deep breath, she cut Mia off mid-sentence. "Mia, let it go. It's all in the past." Mia looked at her with a gaze full of worry and disbelief. She still couldn't accept that a couple who loved each other so deeply had ended like this. "Ma'am, maybe there's been a misunderstanding somewhere. Shouldn't you talk to him again?" Calliope gave a bitter laugh. If she hadn't lived this life twice, maybe she'd be just as naive as Mia-clinging to hope, thinking it was some huge misunderstanding. Maybe she'd cry and beg Lucien not to leave. Maybe she'd think it was her fault, that she hadn't done enough. But not anymore. She knew better than anyone-this wasn't a mistake. It was seven years of manipulation, a lie she paid for with her youth and health. Even if he had some hidden reason... so what? The damage was done. Trust? Gone. Their story had already ended the moment he let those pills silently work their way through her body. No explanation could ever make that okay. She didn't want to know more-and she definitely didn't need reasons. Her voice came out hoarse, but firm. "Clear it all out. Every last piece." Mia hesitated at the sheer finality in her tone. She opened her mouth, then chose silence instead. "...Yes, Ma'am." With a quiet sigh, she began packing everything up. Calliope didn't spare any of it another glance. She turned away and walked out to the terrace. The early summer breeze brushed against her face, bringing a moment of clarity to her spinning mind. She leaned on the railing and stared at the city lights in the distance. Something bugged her-there was something she was forgetting, something important. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't place it. Then her phone buzzed. And the moment she saw "Husband" flash on the screen, her heart skipped a painful beat. Crap. She totally forgot to cancel the wedding surprise for Lucien. And right on cue, she picked up the call-and that familiar, cool voice came through the speaker. "I got your gift." Her grip on the phone tightened. It was a project she'd sunk six months into-an AI housekeeper core chip embedded inside his favorite anime figurine. It could carry out simple interactions. Her whole heart had gone into making it. It was supposed to be his one-of-a-kind wedding gift. In the past, he was so happy when he got it. He hugged her and spun her around like they were the only people in the world. But this time...