Chapter 11
Calliope’s POV
I returned home with a smug smile playing on my lips; today’s encounter with Thaddeus and his mistress had left me feeling remarkably satisfied. Engaging with them hadn’t even crossed my mind.
As I began to unpack my bag, Leander’s voice startled me from behind.
“What’s got you smiling like the cat that got the cream?” he asked, curiosity etched on his face.
I frowned slightly. “Ever heard of knocking, Leander?”
Leander raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward
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the open door. “You’re the one who left it wide open.”
Rolling my eyes, I gestured for him to knock on it anyway. My grin broadened as I invited him in.
“So, spill it,” Leander prodded.
“I saw Thaddeus and his girlfriend at the mall today, I announced.
Leander’s expression darkened. “Are you okay? Did he harm you?”
I laughed softly, touched by his concern. “It’s sweet of you to worry, Leander, but I’m fine. I gave them a taste of their own medicine.”
Leander’s grin mirrored mine. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. But what are they doing in Solterra? Weren’t they supposed to
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be in Crestfield?”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “They might have their reasons for being here.”
Leander eyed me with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. “What did you do, Calliope?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why do you automatically assume I did something?”
Just then, my phone rang. It was Lucian. I waved Leander away and answered the call.
“Hello, Wifey,” Lucian’s deep voice came through the receiver, unmistakable.
“Hi, Lucian. I hope I didn’t shock you by taking all those dresses,” I replied, grinning.
Lucian chuckled warmly. “You’ll have to do a lot more to throw me off, Wifey. I just wanted
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to let you know everything’s sorted for the party.”
“Thank you,” I replied, my smile evident in my voice.
“I can’t wait to see you tonight. It feels like we’ve been apart forever,” Lucian remarked, his tone laced with an undercurrent I couldn’t quite decipher. Assuming he was teasing, I played along, wondering what harm a little banter could do. After all, we both understood this was a contract marriage for mutual gain.
“Don’t worry, hubby, I’ll be with you soon enough,” I replied with a mischievous grin.
“I can’t wait,” he responded before we ended the call.
A strange warmth fluttered within me, but I
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dismissed it as the door swung open and my parents hurried in.
“How are you?” my mother asked, her voice tinged with concern.
I rolled my eyes, already guessing the reason as my father wrapped me in a hug.
“What did Leander tell you?” I inquired.
“He mentioned you saw Thaddeus and that girl,” my mother replied, a distinct note of disdain in her voice.
I sighed, “Did he also mention I slapped them?”
My parents exhaled a collective sigh while Leander chuckled from the doorway.
“In my defense, they didn’t stick around for
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the whole story” Leander laughed.
“You’re such a jerk,” I retorted with a laugh of my own.
After ensuring I was okay, my parents stayed with me a while before leaving to prepare for the night’s party. I had enlisted a stylist team to transform me–I planned to look my absolute best tonight.
A few hours later, ready for the event, I accompanied my parents in their limousine. Upon arrival, everyone presented their invitation–everyone except me.
“I’m sorry, Miss, you can’t enter without an invite,” the security guard informed me.
I frowned, incredulous. “This is my party. I didn’t think I needed an invitation to enter my
own event.”
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“I apologize, Miss, but it’s strictly by invitation,” he insisted.
With a sigh, my mother handed over her invitation card. “Go on in, dear. I can head home.”
“No, I’ll call Lucian and sort this out. You all go inside,” I assured them. With my family inside, I stifled frustration as I dialed Lucian’s number.
“You’ll be out of a job before the night’s end if you don’t let me in, I warned the security guard.
He remained unperturbed. “I’m sorry, Miss. It’s our policy!”
Lucian picked up after the third ring. “Hello, Princess. I’m swamped–what’s up?”
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“Your security won’t let me into my own party without an invite,” I explained.
“Dammit!” Lucian groaned. “Don’t worry, baby girl. I’ll send someone right away. Give me five minutes.”
“Oh, and I want them fired,” I added with a scowl.
“Consider it done,” Lucian replied, ending the call.
I folded my arms, smirking. “Here’s your chance to make things right.”
The smaller guard looked uneasy, while the larger one kept his composure. “We’d still lose our jobs if we let you in without an invite, Miss.”
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Just then, a smug voice sounded from behind. “If it isn’t the wannabe princess herself.”
I groaned inwardly. Why do I keep running into this goddamn bitch?
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