Chapter 13
Calliope’s POV
The look on Thaddeus’s face was priceless, and if I hadn’t been scowling and rubbing my wrist where he’d gripped it too tightly, I would have burst into laughter.
“I’m sorry… your wife?” Thaddeus stammered, his gaze fixed on Lucian as he finally stepped into sight.
I glared at Lucian. “You took your sweet time, hubby. Why couldn’t you have gotten here sooner?”
Lucian offered a sheepish smile and planted a kiss on my forehead. “I’m sorry, love. I got held up.”
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Thaddeus looked at me with genuine confusion. “I… I don’t understand what’s happening right now, Calliope.”
I smirked. “You did say I’m a married woman, Thaddeus. So why are you so surprised?”
“A married woman, yes! But married to me!” Thaddeus snapped, his voice rising.
Lucian’s expression darkened. “I won’t have you shouting at my wife!”
My heart fluttered as a familiar warmth spread through me, those butterflies stirring.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Drake” Thaddeus said, his voice firm. “I know you invited me here to offer a contract, but not at the cost of my wife. I decline.”
I laughed, a mocking sound. “Aw, how noble.”
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Lucian turned to me with a frown. “Honey, what’s he talking about? I’m not giving him any contract. You were the one who specially requested I invite him.”
Thaddeus looked at me, astonished. “Calliope, please, tell me what’s going on. What game are you playing?”
“This is my husband, Thaddeus. There’s no game. I told you, I’m done with you,” I said with a smile.
“Then why did you have him invite me here? To humiliate me even more? I haven’t even signed the divorce papers, so I’ll take him to court! You’re mine, and you’ve been mine for three years!” Thaddeus yelled.
I sensed Lucian tensing beside me, and I knew after tonight he might regret marrying
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- me. But I needed to see this through.
“I called you here, Thaddeus, to show you how naïve you’ve been these past seven months since Zephyrine came into the picture,” I explained.
“What does Zephyrine have to do with this? I told you I’d send her away if you’d just come back to me. Are you doing this to make me jealous, Calliope? Because it’s working!” Thaddeus said angrily.
I scoffed. “You think everything revolves around you, Thaddeus.” Then I noticed Zephyrine approaching and smiled. “Couldn’t stay away for long, huh?”
Zephyrine came into view, standing by Thaddeus with a frown.
“What’s happening? You and Thaddeus were
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taking so long, I wanted to see what was going on,” she said with faux concern.
“The situation is, there’s no contract, and Calliope had her new husband invite us,” Thaddeus spat bitterly.
I grinned. “I’m glad you’re finally accepting the fact that he’s my husband.”
I looked at Zephyrine, who appeared utterly confused.
“This is my husband, Lucian Drake,” I told her.
The anger that briefly crossed her eyes before she masked it with false concern was unmistakable.
“That’s impossible, Calliope. Why would Lucian marry someone like you? Especially when you’re still married to Thaddeus, who
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is trying to make things right,” Zephyrine hissed.
“Why are you so surprised, Zephyrine? That I can secure a husband without resorting to drugs, seduction, and ruining marriages like. you always do?” I confronted her.
Zephyrine’s face flashed with panic before she chuckled nervously. “Have you had something to drink, Calliope? You’re talking nonsense,” she said.
Thaddeus eyed Zephyrine, curious. “What is she talking about, Zephyrine?”
“How should I know? She’s the one talking crazy!” Zephyrine snapped.
Lucian scowled. “Don’t speak to my wife that way!”
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“What does she have on you, Mr. Drake? Did she promise you a good time? Is she sleeping with you? You can stop the act now, because we all know someone like you would never marry a nobody like Calliope,” Zephyrine retorted.
Lucian looked at her, shocked, while I chuckled.
“A nobody?” Lucian echoed, scoffing. “Calliope Ashford is the CEO of The Ashford Empire. She’s the heiress to Ashford Company and my bride, for whom I threw this wedding party. You should show her respect, or you’ll regret it!”
Thaddeus and Zephyrine seemed dumbfounded by his outburst, and I smiled, kissing his cheek, grateful for his defense.
“Thank you, hubby.”
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“Heir to Ashford Empire?” Thaddeus asked in disbelief. “How is that possible, Calliope? I’ve known you for three years, and you’re just… Well… you.”
Lucian scoffed, “She sacrificed everything to be with you, and you tossed it all back in her face. You don’t deserve her.”
Thaddeus shook his head. “No, that’s not possible. Calliope is just Calliope. How could she be the heiress?”
“Of course, she’s not, Thaddeus. That’s just a big, fat lie!” Zephyrine snapped.
“Do you think everyone lies like you, Zephyrine?” a voice said behind us.
I watched Zephyrine tense at the sound, a smile curving my lips.
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“Now, it begins,” I grinned.
