Urban Romance

Calliope Godfrey didn’t say a word, just shot a quiet glance at the man next to her.
.
While they were heading upstairs, Calliope noticed her lipstick had smudged again. She quickly ducked into the bathroom to fix her makeup.
Inside the spacious flat, the room was buzzing with chatter and laughter, the vibe warm and lively.
Not long after they’d started entertaining the guests, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Calliope was closest to the door, so she went over to open it.
The moment she saw who was standing there, she froze.

Sophia Wells stood at the doorway, holding out a neatly wrapped gift box, smiling with that warm and graceful look she always had.
"Looks like a full house today—are you throwing a housewarming party? Why didn’t I get an invite?"
Calliope Godfrey gave a faint sigh, trying to sound casual. "I only invited some of my husband’s friends. I honestly don’t have that many of my own, so I didn’t think of asking anyone else."
Sophia frowned with pretend annoyance, nudging the gift closer.
"Aren’t we friends? Good friends, even? And we live so close—no invite? What, are you trying to keep some distance from me now?"
She lightly pushed the box into Calliope’s hands. "I picked this out for you. Come on, open it, I’m sure you'll love it."
Just as the box was about to touch Calliope’s fingers, a loud voice rang in from the living room.
"Callie! Who’s at the door? Why are you just standing there?"
Befo

Calliope Godfrey felt like her heart had just been hit hard, buzzing with a strange numbness.
Conrad Hilliard seemed to suddenly remember something. He leaned over, stepped out of the car, and grabbed a file folder from the back seat before handing it to her.
"Oh right—this is for you."
"This car, and the apartment too, they’re both under your name now."
"All the ownership papers are inside. Keep them safe."
Calliope held the folder, fingers tightening around it. Her chest felt like it was being soaked in warm water—sore, heavy, and a little hot. The warmth crept up, making her eyes blur slightly.
She had gotten countless gifts growing up.
Some much more expensive, some flashier, all of it.
But nothing, absolutely nothing, had ever made her feel this wrapped up and seen.
This wasn’t just a gift—this was something way bigger. It was a promise. A home.
This was Conrad giving her everything

Chapter 422