Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“Calliope!”

The sound of her name spoken with urgency, snapped Calliope out of her reverie. Her eyes flew open, and she realized it was already dark. Panic surged through her as she turned to see the source of the voice. There, in the dim light of the park, stood Mikhail, his face etched with worry and his tuxedo almost drenched in sweat.

The sight of him made Calliope’s heart race, and she instinctively dropped from the bench, trying to conceal herself behind the shadows. She didn’t want to be seen by him, fearing that his discovery of her here would lead to misunderstandings. She imagined the judgment and questions that might follow—how would he perceive a married woman out alone, especially in the evening and not with her family?

The thought of Mikhail thinking poorly of her, of the rumors and suspicions that might arise, was overwhelming. She felt an intense desire to remain hidden, to avoid the inevitable awkwardness and confrontation. Her mind raced with the potentia