"Do you know how many people would kill for this chance, but never get it? You''re about to witness a miracle."


    After a few good-natured jabs, the hospital director turned and walked off with Calliope.


    Halfway down the corridor, Calliope ran into Yvette.


    Yvette was carrying a lunchbox, and when she spotted Calliope, her eyes narrowed with a sly grin.


    "Hey, Aunt Callie, what brings you to the hospital? Here to see Gideon?"


    Yvette seemed to think for a moment, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    "Gideon''s just in this room. He''s been sulking, wants to apologize and everything. I''m sure he''d be thrilled to see you!"


    Before Calliope could protest, Yvette grabbed her arm and dragged her toward Gideon''s room.


    The director sighed. "Ah, never mind... I''ll head back, Calliope. You can make your own way when you''re done."


    “Thanks, I''ll be fine,” Calliope replied, giving him a quick nod.


    The director walked off, a little disappointed. He''d hoped to squeeze in a chess game with her, but that clearly wasn''t happening now.


    Inside Gideon''s hospital room.


    Gideony sprawled on the bed, both legs propped up in thick casts. He looked surprisingly lively for someone with that many injuries.


    The moment he heard the door, he started yelling.


    "Yvette! Took you long enough. Are to starve me? You mess


    you


    Up All of this is your fault.


    If


    t for you, I wouldn''t be


    stuck here like this!"


    He was mid-rant when he realized Yvette wasn''t alone. He whipped his head around and saw Calliope standing there, eyeing him coolly.


    "Callie!" Gideon''s face lit up, then immediately fell as panic set in. He looked awkward, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.


    "Callie, what are you doing here?" His voice dropped, suddenly soft and uncertain.


    "Oh, just checking if you kicked the bucket yet," Calliope replied, ncing him up and down. "Guess I''ll have to wait a bit longer. Disappointing, really."


    Gideon flushed, looking a little sick, but said nothing.


    Yvette smirked. "Aunt Callie, he''s fine. Both legs are busted, but trust me, the rest of him still works, especially that ego!"


    She gave Gideon a pointed look. "Besides, he can''t do anything now. Word is, he did some pretty awful stuff to you. Now''s your chance to get even!"


    Gideon exploded. "Yvette, are you kidding me? Whose side are you on? Stop saying crap like that!"


    He red at her, but Yvette just shrugged and shoved the lunchbox into Calliope''s hands.


    "Sorry, I need the bathroom. Could you hand this over for me?" Before anyone could argue, she darted away, clutching her stomach.


    Calliope nced at the lunchbox, filled with a couple of turkey sandwiches and some potato chips, then wrinkled her nose and set it down on Gideon''s side table.


    ???


    Gideon tried again, his voice desperate "Callie, I was wrong, okay? I''m sorry for everything. never should''ve treated you that way! Honestly, it was all Yvette''s idea. She talked me into it!"


    He babbled apologies, trying to shift the me.


    Meanwhile, just outside the door, Yvette had doubled back for a moment, snapping a few quick photos with her phone. She''d already managed to get several


    shots before sneaking off, grinning.


    Calliope, sharp-eared as ever, caught the faint click of the camera, even if no one


    else would have noticed. She knew exactly what Yvette was up to.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!