In the living room.

Eleanor held Calliope in her arms, tears streaming down her face in silence.

"Callie, it's all my fault. I should've known better. I brought all this pain upon you... I'm sorry, sweetheart..."

Calliope gently patted her mother's back, motion calm yet comforting.

Compared to Lucien's betrayal, what really crushed her mother's heart this time... was probably Angelina's.

After all, she had truly cared for Angelina over these past months.

"Mom, don't blame yourself. This isn't on you. Some people are just born heartless. No matter how well you treat them, it's never enough."

Just then, Jonathan walked in with a grim face.

He didn't so much as glance at the mother-daughter pair and snorted before heading straight into the study.

"Mom, did you notice something off about Dad today?" Calliope suddenly asked.

"He's probably just trying not to offend Lucien," Eleanor replied, trying to excuse him, though her words lacked conviction.

Calliope let out a dry laugh.

Her father came from modest roots-everything they had today, they owed to her mother's family.

Even after all those years in business, his small-minded ways never changed.

But Calliope always felt like there was more to him than met the eye.

"Mom," she said quietly, "even if Dad wanted to stay on Lucien's good side, would he really turn a blind eye to his own daughter and take some outsider's side?"

Eleanor stared at her daughter, stunned.

Calliope took her mother's slightly cold hand, her voice low and serious. "Just... keep an eye on him, okay? Especially when it comes to money. House expenses, company finances-look into them more. No matter what, make sure you have a little saved up for yourself. Just in case."

Eleanor wasn't naïve.

Calliope's words weren't subtle anymore.

Thinking back to her husband's odd behavior lately, combined with how he usually acted...

Eleanor suddenly felt short of breath, like her chest was tightening.

"Callie, I hear you," she said hoarsely.

Back in her room, Calliope locked the door.

The will her grandfather had left her stated that she owned part of Stellar Group's shares.

But it came with strings attached-until she turned twenty-five, if unmarried, her parents would manage it jointly; if married, she'd get direct control over forty percent.

In her past life, she'd married Lucien tomorrow-and with that, gained control over the company.

But now? The wedding was off. Lucien-obviously no longer qualified.

So, if she wanted to keep her inheritance safe from Jonathan and Lucien, she had to find a solid marriage candidate. Fast.

With that in mind, she pulled out her phone and opened her chat with Olivia Fletcher.

[Hey Liv, you there?]

As soon as she sent the message, Olivia called.

"Callie!" Olivia's voice was practically boiling with gossip energy. "Someone in the group chat said Lucien showed up at your place to call off the wedding and now he wants to marry that chick Angelina who's staying with you?? Is that true?!"

"Yeah," Calliope sighed and rubbed her temples. "It's true."

"No freaking way!" Olivia exploded, "Did he lose his damn mind? He dumped you - smart, gorgeous, the real deal - for that manipulative little angel act? Seriously, is he blind?"

"I told you right from the beginning, didn't I? That guy may look all put together, but he's just smooth on the surface-totally shady underneath. You didn't believe me!"

Olivia was clearly furious, rattling off curses like a machine gun.

Calliope listened, eyes growing misty.

Yeah... if she'd just listened to Olivia back then-just once-would things have turned out so differently?

Well, thank god fate gave her a second shot. This time, she wasn't going to waste it.

After waiting for the other end to calm down a bit, she finally spoke. "Liv, remember the distant cousin you once told me about..."

"Which one?" Olivia sounded confused for a second.

"The one who's still single, your family keeps bugging him to get married?"

"Oh! Him!"

Her voice shot up instantly, filled with disbelief and excitement.

"Why are you asking about him? Wait... don't tell me-you finally came around?"

Calliope let out a quiet "Yeah."

"Is he still looking to get married?"

"Heck yes! Always has been!"

Olivia nearly jumped off the couch, her voice climbing with excitement.

"Let me tell you, my cousin is drop-dead gorgeous-he's 6'2", broad shoulders, slim waist, super long legs. Dressed, he looks sharp. Shirt off? Even better."

"Only thing is, he's kinda grumpy, a bit cold... meh, you'll see when you meet him."

"But I guarantee, he's solid! Way better than Lucien, that polished jerk with a trashy core!"

While Olivia kept hyping her cousin, Calliope's lips twitched into a faint smile.

"Liv, think you could set up a meeting?"

"Say no more, I've got you! I'll hit him up right now! But hey, Cal-you sure about this?"

Calliope's tone was calm. "Yeah. I need a marriage."

There was a few seconds of silence on Olivia's end before her voice turned serious. "Cal... is this because Lucien called off the wedding? You're not just doing this to prove something, right?"

"It's not out of spite," Calliope cut her off. "My head's clear, Liv. I'll explain more later. For now, just help me arrange the meeting. The sooner the better."

"Alright. Sit tight. I'll let you know as soon as it's set."

Olivia worked fast. That same night she sent the text:

[Done! I sent your photo to my cousin-he says he's free tomorrow! Bring your ID and meet him at the marriage registration center at 9 AM sharp!]

[He's all about efficiency, lol!]

Calliope raised an eyebrow.

Efficiency, huh?

Perfect.

That was exactly what she needed-no dragging things out.

*****

Next morning, just as the sky started to lighten.

Calliope stood outside the marriage registration center, holding her ID in one hand.

She wore a white dress with a beige knit cardigan over it. Hair casually pulled up, the curve of her neck graceful and bare.

Olivia wasn't joking-her cousin really was the type who valued time.

At exactly 9 o'clock, a tall figure walked up, lit by the morning sun at his back.

He was seriously tall, probably over 6'2".

Just a black T-shirt and cargo pants - nothing flashy, but on him, it looked like a magazine spread.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and legs for days. The kind of man you feel before you even see.

As he got closer, Calliope finally saw his face clearly.

Her heart skipped.

It was him.

The man's features came into sharper focus.

His jawline was sharp and defined, exuding a certain cool edge. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, and his dark, depthless eyes looked like they could suck you in whole.

He radiated masculinity-like, the kind that hits you straight in the face.

Calliope felt her heart skip a beat.

He stopped right in front of her, towering over her almost a whole head, casting a shadow that practically swallowed her up.

"Calliope Godfrey?"

Good looks aside, his voice was also criminally attractive.

It was low, raspy, and carried a sort of magnetic pull-like a jolt straight to her eardrums.

Calliope gave herself a mental shake and nodded. "That's me. You're... Olivia's cousin?"

He gave a slight nod, glancing her over just for a second before looking away and answering in a flat tone, "Conrad Hilliard."

Calliope still found it a little hard to believe.

Olivia seriously had a cousin like this? Legendary level.

"Did you bring your ID?" Conrad asked.

"Yeah," she said instinctively, handing it over to him.

He took it and turned without hesitation. "Let's go in."

"Mr. Hilliard," she called out, making him stop, "isn't this... a bit rushed? Don't you think we should at least get to know each other more?"

Conrad didn't bother sugarcoating. "Olivia filled me in. Getting to know more is just wasting time."

Calliope was speechless.

Of course Olivia had already run her mouth. No doubt this guy knew all about her baggage by now.

"But before we register the marriage, I think there are a few things we need to make clear."

Conrad raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue.

"First, this is a contractual marriage. We both get what we need from it. I won't interfere in your life, and I expect you to stay out of mine."

"Fine."

"Second, finances stay separate. I'm not after your money, and you better not touch mine."

He gave her a quick look. "Understood."

"Lastly-this is the biggest thing for me-I have zero tolerance for lies. Any form of deceit, we're done. Can you handle that?"

That was her absolute line in the sand.

Conrad's gaze tightened a bit; the lazy vibe he had softened.

He stared at her for a few seconds.

Calliope didn't flinch, looking back at him steadily.

Finally, he responded with a brief, "Okay."

"I'm done with my conditions. Mr. Hilliard, what about yours?"

"Just one," he said, lifting his chin slightly. "I'm not into women. This marriage is just to keep my family off my back. So do us both a favor-don't catch feelings."

Calliope gave him another once-over, head to toe.

Broad shoulders, trim waist, mile-long legs. His T-shirt clung to his chest and arms, outlining solid muscle underneath.

Even through the fabric, you could sense the raw physical energy rolling off him-this guy was practically dripping hormone.

And he claimed to have no interest in women?

If he wasn't into women... then was he into men?

So this really was a no-strings-attached, strictly-business deal. Just two people teaming up for convenience.

He could smooth things over with his family, and go on living his "colorful" life.

Noticing her shifting expression, Conrad frowned. "What? Second thoughts?"