Chapter 43Calliope stood in front of the mirror, staring blankly at her bruised reflection. The marks scattered across her skin didn’t feel new to her. She had seen them before, felt them before—traces left by the hands of men who had paid to touch her, to spend a night with her. Her body had long since grown numb to the sensation, trained to endure, conditioned to withstand the treatment. It had become a routine—a job she accepted as part of her life. But no amount of experience could prepare her for the feeling of being forced. The violation, the helplessness—it made her stomach churn in ways she hadn’t felt in years.She ran her fingers over the bruises, her expression hardening. It wasn’t pain that she felt, not physically. Her body had become used to this, used to being touched without affection, used to being treated like an object. But the disgust that crept under her skin, the feeling of being overpowered and broken—that was something she couldn’t numb herself to. No matter h
Chapter 44Calliope sat on the bed, her gaze fixed on Clarke, who bent down to meet her at eye level. Her fingers gently touched the bandaged wound on his head, her expression filled with sorrow and guilt. She couldn’t hide the dismay that washed over her as she traced the edges of the bandage, as if silently blaming herself for the injury he sustained. The weight of it all made her chest feel tight.Clarke, noticing the turmoil in her eyes, let out a soft chuckle. He gently took her hand off his head and kissed it tenderly, as if to reassure her. “I’m okay... see?” His smile was warm and disarming, and he placed her palm against his cheek, letting her feel the warmth radiating from his skin.Calliope's heart softened at the gesture, but the guilt still lingered. “I shouldn’t have—”“Shh,” Clarke interrupted gently, his voice calm and soothing. “I’d do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe.”Her eyes filled with tears again, but this time, they weren't just from sadness—there
Chapter 45"Hi, Hunter..." Olivia's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she crouched down and reached out toward the little boy standing next to his father. Her hand moved slowly, but the moment it was extended, Hunter flinched. He tightened his grip on Mikhail’s pants, his tiny fingers clutching the fabric with fear and confusion. The reaction stung Olivia more than she anticipated, but she forced herself to maintain a calm, composed demeanor.She tried to offer a reassuring smile, though it felt strained. "Hunter... it's me... mommy. I'm your real mama," she said, her voice imbued with a softness that barely masked her underlying nervousness. She knew she had to make the introduction, despite the painful reality that she was a stranger to her own son. Leaving him so soon after his birth had left a chasm between them, one she was unsure how to bridge.Hunter’s reaction was subtle but clear. His eyes darted between Olivia and Mikhail, filled with confusion and fear. He remained fixed
Chapter 46After Olivia introduced herself to Hunter as his mother, she started making herself a regular presence at Mikhail's estate. Each day, Hunter’s confusion grew as he saw Olivia repeatedly, but not Calliope. His doubts and suspicions began to surface, especially since Mikhail had stopped mentioning Calliope altogether.Feeling unsettled, Hunter started hiding from his father before Mikhail left for work. It was his small act of rebellion, driven by the absence of any mention of Calliope and the growing uncertainty about this new woman in his life.But Mikhail was too absorbed in his search for Calliope to notice Hunter’s growing rebellion. His mind was consumed with thoughts of how to locate her, especially since Clarke had been remarkably adept at keeping her hidden.As he emerged from the elevator, gripping a case tightly in his hand, he headed purposefully towards his office. However, just before he could reach his door, his secretary hurried over, looking flustered.“Mr. M
Chapter 47Hunter had spent the morning hiding in his usual spot behind the large armchair in his father’s study. The room smelled faintly of leather and wood polish. It was a comforting scent for the little boy who had grown tired of seeing Olivia around. He missed his Mommy Callie, the one who always hugged him, sang softly, and tucked him into bed. But now, she was gone, and no one would tell him why.As he peeked out from his hiding place, he overheard Olivia talking to one of the maids, her voice too sweet, too fake. “Hunter will get used to me. I’m his real mother, after all. He just needs time,” she said with a smug smile.Hunter’s heart sank. He didn’t want to get used to her. She wasn’t his mommy, not the way Callie was.So the little boy waited for the right moment and quietly crawled to hide behind the study’s heavy curtains. His small fingers gripped the fabric tightly as he peered out, his heart racing. Olivia had left the room, or at least he thought she had. He had seen
Chapter 48As Hunter reached his room, he sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. His small hands clenched the fabric of his blanket as Olivia's harsh words echoed in his mind."She might have found a new family..."The idea filled him with dread.Mommy Callie wouldn’t leave me, would she? She promised we would always be together.He couldn’t shake the image of her with another family, holding someone else’s hand, singing to another child. The thought made his chest tighten, and tears threatened to fall again. He had to do something—he couldn’t just sit here and let Olivia’s words become true.Hunter glanced at the door while his mind raced with plans. He had tried sneaking out before, but this time it had to be different. He would wait until Olivia isn’t paying attention. His little heart pounded with nervous anticipation, but his resolve grew stronger. He had to find Calliope. She was his real mommy, the one who loved him the most.Hunter hurriedly packed a small backpac
Chapter 49Calliope’s heart pounded as she stumbled forward, her voice trembling with emotion. "Hunter..." she called out again, her voice barely a whisper.The small figure slowly turned toward her, eyes wide and tear-streaked. There he was—her Hunter. The boy who had filled her life with purpose and light, even in her darkest moments. He looked scared, confused, and cold, but most of all, he looked small. Too small to be out here, in the cold night, in a place like this.Hunter blinked up at her, recognition dawning on his innocent face. “Mommy Callie?” he whispered, his voice breaking as if he couldn't believe his eyes.Tears welled up in Calliope’s eyes as she dropped to her knees, not caring about the dirt or the pain shooting through her body. She reached out, pulling him into her arms and holding him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear. "Yes, baby, it's me. It's Mommy Callie..." Her voice cracked as she buried her face into his hair, her tears soaking into his little coat.
Chapter 50Calliope slowly stirred as the sterile scent of antiseptic filled her senses. Her eyelids felt heavy, but with effort, they fluttered open, revealing the dim lighting of a hospital room. The white ceiling above her was unfamiliar, and as she blinked, the beeping of machines near her became more pronounced.She was in a hospital bed.Her body felt weak, her arms too heavy to lift. The IV in her hand tugged uncomfortably when she tried to move. For a moment, she just lay there, taking in the surroundings in a daze as the memories of the night before were hazy and fragmented.Her throat was dry, and she tried to speak, but her voice barely came out in a hoarse whisper. “Hunter…”Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Clarke walked in. His expression softened the moment he saw her awake."Calliope," Clarke said, his voice low, but there was relief and tension with it . He quickly moved to her side, pulling a chair closer to sit down. "You're awake."Calliope's lips parted, but be