Calliope made her way through the office, stopping to greet people along the way.


    She was effortlessly charming her striking looks paired with a warm, open manner, and the staff responded with sincere smiles. Everyone seemed to like her.


    After exchanging a few friendly words, she headed for Ss''s office. She sank into the plush sofa, and the secretary soon appeared, offering her a cup of coffee.


    "Thank you,” Calliope said, ncing up with a bright, gracious smile.


    The secretary felt momentarily awestruck. Mrs. Myers wasn''t just beautiful—she was genuinely kind and easy to be around.


    "Oh, you''re very wee!" the secretary replied cheerfully. "I''ll just be at my desk out front, Mrs. Myers. If you need anything at all, just call. Mr. Myers should be done with his meeting soon."


    Calliope nodded. "Don''t worry about me. Get back to your work-I''m happy to wait here."


    With another quick smile, the secretary slipped out, leaving Calliope alone in the calm, sunlit office.


    Calliope sat quietly for a while, then stood and wandered toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. The office was perched high above the city, and from this vantage, the world below unfurled like a living map. Daytime had its own beauty, but she imagined the city lights at night must be spectacr.


    She cradled the coffee cup in her hands and took a slow sip, letting her eyes linger on the view before curiosity pulled her toward Ss''srge desk.


    A framed photograph caught her eye, stopping her in her tracks. Calliope leaned in —it was a picture from their wedding. They stood together on the stage: she was smiling, while Ss looked at her with a tenderness she''d never noticed before. Had he always looked at her that way? She had missed it, somehow, in the rush of that day.


    She eased herself into his office chair and scanned the rest of the desk-several more framed photos were lined up in a neat row.


    Some were of the two of them together, while others featured only her. One, in particr, puzzled her an old photo of her at the Baker family estate. She was standing beneath a crabapple tree, eyes fixed on the flowers above. The angle suggested someone had watched her, captured her unguarded. She had no idea Ss had even taken that photo. That had been back when she was still with Gideon Baker.


    She found herself surprised, almost unsettled, by just how many photos of her were disyed here-some she didn''t even recall existing. Another frame held a picture from her time in the army, dressed in camouge, in the middle of barking instructions at a row of recruits. She''d looked so much younger than those hulking men, but they had all seemed thoroughly intimidated by her.


    Calliope had almost buried those memories. It was surreal to find them preserved here on Ss''s desk-quiet, tangible proof that he had been watching her all along. She lingered on the photos, thinking that, despite everything, Ss was a man of deep loyalty and principle. Whatever lingering feelings he might have for someone else, he had always respected her as his


    wife-gone above and beyond, even if it was partly for appearances.


    He''d really put in the effort.


    She lost track of time, only snapping out of her thoughts when Ss returned.


    "How long have you been here? Did I keep you waiting?"


    He already knew she''d arrived. He crossed the office, not bothering to ask her to move from his chair, just smiling down at her with a gentle curiosity. "What''s on your mind?"


    Calliope gestured toward the desk, her gaze drifting from him to the collection of photographs.


    "When did you put these up?” she asked softly. "And when were they taken?"


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


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!