Chapter 243

Eleanor nodded with tears in her eyes, lifting a hand to gently caress her daughter's soft cheek. "When you choose the right person, we women-well, we're like sunflowers. Calliope, that's what you are now... blooming toward the sun." Calliope paused, slightly stunned. Her mother went on, "You've been like me since you were little. Once you're in love, you lose all sense, get yourself all tangled up in it, and then slowly just... fade away." Eleanor's gaze drifted toward the dark window, as though she was looking back on all the regrets of her past. "My marriage to your father? That was my trap. He gave me nothing to grow on, and I lost-badly." She turned back to look at her daughter with burning clarity in her eyes. "Don't repeat my mistakes, Calliope." "Chase your own sun. No matter what, I'll always be right behind you." She paused, then smiled softly. "I've got a feeling... Your husband, he's got your back too. He won't let you fall." Calliope didn't respond right away. Her mind wen