Chapter 2

Inside the lavish VIP room of the bridal boutique, soft lighting cast a warm glow over rows of stunning dresses. The whole place radiated a dreamy, romantic vibe. But all of that came crashing down the moment Calliope stepped out of the fitting room. She hadn't tried on a single gown. Still wearing her simple off-white dress from earlier, there was not even a flicker of excitement on her face - just a layer of exhaustion and unmistakable detachment. Eleanor Carmody, waiting nearby on the sofa, quickly stood up and took her daughter's hand, worry flickering in her eyes. "What's wrong, Calliope? Not in the mood because Lucien hasn't shown up yet?" She gently patted Calliope's hand, trying to soothe her. "Don't stress, sweetie. Men always put work first. I'll call him, remind him what's important. No matter how busy he is, this wedding stuff can't wait." She reached into her purse for her phone. "Mom, don't bother." Calliope lightly stopped her, pressing her fingers to her mother's wrist. "If he's not coming, that's fine." She paused, her gaze landing briefly on the expensive main bridal gown displayed nearby, a sharp, almost imperceptible twinge of pain flashing across her eyes. "I don't feel like trying anything on either." Eleanor froze, then let out a small chuckle, thinking her daughter was just sulking. Smiling fondly, she reached up to smooth an already neat lock of Calliope's hair. "Don't be silly, sweetheart. You're just saying that out of spite. The wedding's only two days away - how can you not try the dress on? If Lucien can't make it today, we'll just come back tomorrow. I'll be with you, and I promise, you'll be the most beautiful bride ever." "I'm not coming back tomorrow either," Calliope said, lifting her eyes to meet her mother's gaze head-on. "Mom, I'm not going to marry Lucien." The words hit Eleanor like a thunderclap. Her smile froze, eyes widening in disbelief. "Calliope! Do you even hear yourself? That's not something you joke about!" "Did you two have a fight? It's normal for couples to argue - you can't just jump to breaking off the engagement over one squabble. Everyone can see how caring and thoughtful Lucien is with you... he's been near perfect-" "Caring and thoughtful? Perfect?" Calliope repeated the words silently, a bitter taste rising in her throat like blood mist. Yeah... That was the same polished act that had fooled her for seven whole years last time around. All that love and tenderness led straight to her hospital bed - and her final breath. Just thinking about how her mom got into that car crash on the way to what was supposed to be her "perfect wedding" in her past life made Calliope feel like her heart was being squeezed to a pulp-she could barely breathe from the pain. She couldn't let history repeat itself. Not again. "Mom, this isn't me losing it." Calliope grabbed Eleanor's hand tightly, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. "I know exactly what I'm doing. I have to call off this wedding." "But why? There has to be a reason!" Eleanor's worry and panic bled into her voice as it got louder, "Calliope, just talk to me. Did something happen between you and Lucien? Did he do something to hurt you?" She couldn't wrap her head around it. Just yesterday her daughter had looked genuinely happy-now it was like she'd flipped overnight. In everyone's eyes, Lucien was basically the gold standard of a fiancé-great background, successful, good-looking, and more importantly, had been ridiculously devoted to Calliope for ten years straight. Even when the Godfreys ran into trouble with business recently, it was Lucien who quietly stepped in and helped them out. This engagement wasn't just about love. In many ways, it was tied to the future of the whole Godfrey family. Seeing the sheer confusion and concern in her mother's eyes, Calliope felt as if she were being grilled alive. How was she supposed to explain the truth? That she'd been reborn and knew Lucien would ruin her life and destroy their whole family in seven years? No way her mother would believe that. She'd just think she'd lost her mind. The weight of what she knew, and the fact she couldn't share it, nearly crushed her. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then settled on a simple-but firm-reply: "It doesn't matter why. Mom, just trust me this one time. Lucien is not a good man. If I go through with this, our family's going to face total disaster." "Disaster?" Eleanor stared at her, completely thrown off by the fear and intensity in her daughter's eyes-a look she'd never seen before. "Calliope, are you sure you're not just burnt out or... imagining things? Lucien would never..." Right then, a faint buzzing broke through the tension. Calliope's phone vibrated on the coffee table. The caller ID lit up-Lucien. Her gaze went ice-cold in an instant. In that previous life, this exact call had been his excuse-saying he had to postpone trying on wedding outfits because of some urgent work thing. In reality, he'd been off shopping for a gift for Angelina. And the old her had actually bought the lie. Under her mom's questioning stare, Calliope picked up the phone and hit the speaker button without hesitation as she answered. "Calliope," Lucien's rich, smooth voice came through, tinged with a bit of guilt, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it to the fitting. Also... our wedding might have to be called off."