Ss gave Calliope his word—he wouldn''ty a finger on ck Spider.


    He assured her that he knew people who could deal with ck Spider''s situation, so she had nothing to worry about. He promised to let her know if there were any updates.


    Calliope listened and believed him. She knew about this side of Ss-he never needed anyone''s approval for what he did, so he had no reason to deceive her about something like this.


    Once they got everything sorted, they set out straight for Capitalton.


    Nigel hitched a ride with them, bickering with Ss the whole way. Still, since Ss had basically saved his life, the banter stayed just yful sparring.


    After they arrived in Capitalton, Nigel finally split off from their group.


    "I''ve got some things to take care of. See you around," he said to Calliope. "And by the way, what I told you before still stands if you ever decide I''m the better choice, the door''s always open."


    Ss rolled his eyes. “I''m still here, you know. Are you saying you''re going to try to steal my wife from right under my nose?"


    “People break up all the time," Nigel huffed. “Callie, wait for me. I''lle back for you!"


    "She''s not waiting. She''s not interested. Do you really have to turn everything into apetition?" Ss shot back.


    Nigel shook his head, for once wearing a serious expression. "You misunderstand me. This isn''t about you. I genuinely care about her. If she ever walks away from you, she''ll always have a ce with me. So, Ss, you better treat her right. Don''t you ever lie to her, and don''t forget—she''s not just someone you can discard. There are plenty of men who''d give anything to be with her. Really good men. Like me.”


    "So the whole point was to call


    urself exc


    Ss muttered,


    eyebrows, drawn. together Don''t


    worry-I won''t lie to her, and bwon''t let you take her away from me."


    With that, Ss drew Calliope close, wrapping his arm protectively over her shoulders, his eyes resolute.


    "As long as I''m here, she''ll be by my side. I''ll take care of her, keep her safe, and I''ll never let anyone take her away or make her miserable."


    "That so?" Nigel''s gaze lingered, sharp and unreadable. There was something there that Ss couldn''t quite make out—something unsettling, but impossible to name.


    "Absolutely," Ss replied, unwavering.


    "Then see to it she''s never sad because of you. Make sure you never give her a reason to hurt," Nigel said coolly. He nodded for Lnd, and the two of them walked off.


    Ss led Calliope to their car. Once inside, his voice softened. "Did anything happen while I was gone? Did Nigel give you a hard time?”


    "No." Calliope shook her head and managed a small smile, though it didn''t quite reach her eyes.


    "Is this about Mavis?" Ss asked gently. "I''m sorry. I didn''t realize how serious things had be or that you''d gone back there at all."


    "I... there were some things going on.


    I couldn''t get in touch." She shook


    her head again, brushing off the apology "It''s fine. Let''s talk about uster Right now I just want to ge home, have a shower, tidy up then head to the hospital to see Mavis."


    "Alright," Ss agreed, even if he didn''t entirely catch the unspoken meaning behind her words.


    I visit did make sense, he wanted to check on Uriah Stewart,


    too