The auction was about to start. Everyone made their way toward the grand auction hall, buzzing with anticipation.


    Calliope walked alongside Sharon, the two chatting casually as they went.


    Not far behind, Ss and his little crew trailed after Calliope, keeping a respectful distance but making it clear they were with her.


    Once inside, everyone found their seats.


    Sharon slid back next to her boyfriend, Tanner, while Calliope was quickly surrounded by Quentin Sutton, Ss, and a couple of the others.


    To her surprise, Ulysses Jewell and his brother Horatio came over and started talking to her out of the blue.


    "Callie, what do you want tonight?" Ulysses said, trying to sound cheerful. "As your brother, I want to make it up to you! Whatever they can give you, I can too."


    Calliope eyed him suspiciously. "Haven''t I made myself clear already?"


    She''d told him the truth-she wasn''t his real sister. His real sister was gone. Why did Ulysses keep clinging to this? Did he just refuse to believe her? Or did he still think that if he was just a little kinder, she''d go back to doing everything for the Jewell family?


    "No matter what you do, no matter how nice you are, I''m not helping the Jewell family again," Calliope said tly, ncing at him.


    "I know," Ulysses said quietly, eyes downcast. "I don''t need your help. I just... I feel like I owe you. I don''t mean anything else by it."


    "Callie, I know we all let you down. I don''t know what Valerian or my parents are thinking, but whether or not you''re actually my sister by blood, I just want to say I''m sorry. I want to do something for you."


    "If there''s anything you want, let me get it for you."


    Ulysses took the seat behind her, his posture determined.


    Horatio sat beside him, only ncing at Calliope without adding anything.


    Calliope didn''t bother turning around. The auction was kicking off, the auctioneer already animatedly describing the first item up for bid.


    Everyone''s attention shifted up front. Lots of the items were shy, each seemingly more expensive than thest. Nothing really caught Calliope''s eye-til halfway through when painting she actually liked came up. She couldn''t help but perk up, studying it seriously.  s


    "Do you like it?" Ss asked, his voice low and gentle.


    "Yeah, it''s nice," Calliope replied.


    "I''ll bid on it for you."


    "I will," Ulysses''s voice called from behind her. "Callie, if you want that painting, I''ll get it for you! howe you years of birthday gifts Think of this


    as à Christmas present."


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    Calliope ignored him, so he sounded like he was talking to himself. The guys around her turned in unison to re at Ulysses.


    "If Callie wants something, we''ll get it for her ourselves," Norton Shepherd said gruffly.


    "Exactly," Julius Quillen added, shooting Ulysses a look. "Callie isn''t your sister. She''s all of ours. Besides, could you even afford it?"


    elmet


    "I can afford it," Ulysses retorted, meeting their eyes. "I just want to something nice for Callie. If she wants it, want to buy it for her


    s


    He looked at Quentin and the others. "I know Callie cares about you all, so I don''t


    want to fight. But this painting, I''m bidding on it.”


    He turned to Ss. "Mr. Myers, please. Let me get this one for her."