The room erupted with gasps and murmurs from the reporters and fans alike.


    "Seriously? Aren''t mothers supposed to love their kids? Some women, even when things go wrong during childbirth, will beg the doctors to save the baby first!"


    "Exactly! Moms are supposed to risk everything for their children. But it''s not like Calliope chose to be born during a difficultbor—how can Zelda me her own child for that?"


    "God, that''s just awful. How can someone like that even call herself a mother?"


    "Poor Calliope, may she rest in peace..."


    "Did they even care if she lived or died? You''d think Zelda would want to check on her daughter after all that."


    "They didn''t even recognize her. Honestly, it''s like Zelda never cared about her kid at all."


    "She just dumped her in the middle of nowhere and let her fend for herself."


    People were starting to feel sorry for Calliope, the girl who''d barely gotten a glimpse of the world before leaving it, her parents never even bothering to look


    her way.


    Calliope''s gaze was steady as she looked at Monty and Zelda. "You know, I always thought I was your child. I never understood why you didn''t want me, but when I got a little older, I begged my grandpa to let me go back to my mom and dad."


    "My grandpa couldn''t say no, so he brought me back."


    "I believed you two were my real parents. I thought my brother was really my brother. That''s why I tried so hard to make you all happy."


    "But no matter how hard I tried, no matter what I did, it was like you couldn''t see me at all."


    "All you cared about was Lisette."


    "And even before you knew I wasn''t your biological daughter, you never treated me kindly."<fne854> For original chapters go to </fne854>


    "Just like Ulysses said, I never spent a single penny of your money."


    "You never gave me any allowance. Not once."


    "Calliope, stop making things up!" Monty snapped, his anger barely contamed. "You lived in our house for years. Are you seriously telling everyone here that you never spent a dime? Who''s going to believe that?"  s


    "Yeah, who would believe it?" Calliope shot back, meeting Monty''s eyes. "But the thing is, it''s pretty tough for me to prove I never got anything from you if you say you gave me money, then it should be easy for you to prove it, right? Allowances, bank transfers-there''s always a record, isn''t there?"


    s


    She looked squarely at Monty. "Mr. Jewell, why don''t you show everyone your


    bank statements? That should clear things up."


    Monty froze, his mind scrambling. He couldn''t remember ever giving Calliope any money.


    He nced instinctively at Zelda.


    "Oh, what''s this? Mr. Jewell can''t remember giving me an allowance, so now he''s looking to Zelda for help!"


    "Well, Zelda, go ahead-show us your records, or any proof at all. Prove to


    everyone that you actually took care of your daughter."


    Calliope curled her lips into a faint smile. The room fell silent.


    She was right—it would be nearly impossible for her to prove she never received money. But since the Jewelts imed they''d supported her, surely they had some proof, right? Should be easy to show


    s


    "I mean, she lived with the Jewells for years-of course they must have spent money on her."


    "Yeah, it''s not like she could survive there without them paying for something. Tuition, for starters!"


    "Even if not tuition, they must''ve bought her clothes, right?"


    "Exactly, no way they never bought her anything."


    "All they have to do is show a receipt or something. That''s all it takes!"


    "They''re acting really strange, though. Why do they look like they can''t back up their story?"