Chapter 416

Lucien Sterling stood there, completely speechless, his face pale as a ghost. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out. All the messed-up things he’d done to Calliope Godfrey in the past—one by one—they came back like sharp blades, cutting into his conscience over and over again. His eyes reddened instantly, the pain and regret flooding in like a wave he couldn't stop. But Calliope didn’t even spare him a second glance. She picked up the shopping bag from the counter, turned, and just walked away. “Callie, wait up!” Olivia Fletcher shot Lucien a glare before quickly chasing after her friend. “I seriously don’t know what’s up with you,” she said as they walked, her tone laced with annoyance. “Out on your own without a bodyguard? Are you nuts?” “Good thing I happened to pass by—who knows what that jerk would’ve pulled this time if I hadn’t?” Lucien heard her angry voice fading away in the distance, and he wanted to speak up, to explain himself. But the truth was—he couldn’t. If Ol