Chapter 181

Michael frowned and said dismissively, "Feelings can develop over time. Dione comes from a good family, has a gentle temperament, and can help our business. Even if Sylvester doesn't like her now, he will eventually. Besides, with his entanglement with Calliope, we need to settle his marriage soon to have peace of mind."

Michael's thoughts remained stubborn. Despite this, John found some sense in his words. Apart from Dione, Calliope was no longer an option, and although Nina loved Sylvester, her family background didn't match their requirements.

Seeing John still hesitating, Michael changed the subject, "The baby is due in a little over a month. We should arrange for Calliope to go abroad as soon as the baby is born. I have a bad feeling something might go wrong."

"I've already taken care of it. The documents and application forms have been submitted to the embassy for review, and everything is ready on that end. Don't worry," John responded calmly.

The Moore manor was brightly lit. Sylvester and Calliope had just arrived at the entrance, where Jenny and a few bodyguards were anxiously waiting. Seeing them return, Jenny sighed in relief, but before she could say anything, she saw Calliope in the passenger seat, almost in tears.

Calliope got out of the car, and Jenny quickly grabbed her hand, "Mrs. Moore, we've been looking for you all afternoon and couldn't find you. It's such a relief to see you're okay."

Sylvester parked the car and, upon hearing this, became furious, "What kind of job are you doing? She went missing, and you didn't even know? Get out!"

Sensing the situation was dire, Calliope hurriedly explained, "I just wanted to take a walk. It's not their fault."

Sylvester immediately turned his anger towards her, "You're defending them? You're pregnant, and you still run off like this? Do you think we're imprisoning you? Isn't it enough that we don't let you go out?"

Faced with his questioning, Calliope didn't respond. No matter what she said, it would be wrong, so she might as well stay silent.

Seeing this, Sylvester became even angrier, "Calliope, do whatever you want, but don't forget the child you're carrying is mine. If anything happens to him, you'll bear the consequences!"

Seeing Sylvester's angry expression, Calliope felt a mix of emotions, and Jenny could only sigh, "Mrs. Moore, let's go inside. It's cold out here."

Inside the villa, Sylvester walked straight in. Calliope hesitated at the door, unsure whether to follow.

Inside, John saw his son and called out, "Sylvester, did you send Dione back?"

Sylvester nodded in confirmation.

"Your grandfather and I have decided that once Calliope gives birth, you two will divorce. She'll go abroad, and you'll marry Dione," John said firmly.

Hearing this, Sylvester firmly opposed, "No way, I won't let her go!"

"Why not? Do you want Calliope to be around you and the child all the time?" John asked, puzzled.

"She can't leave! And I might not marry Dione," Sylvester said before heading upstairs without looking back.

John stood there, helpless. As he was lost in thought, Calliope walked to the door, having heard the entire conversation. Her hands trembled with anger and helplessness, but she quickly composed herself and prepared to go upstairs to rest. Just as she stepped into the living room, John called out to her.

"Stop! Where were you so late?" he asked harshly.

Calliope scoffed, thinking he was looking for trouble. Remembering what she had overheard, she looked John in the eye and said, "I had dinner with Sylvester, and he walked faster."

John immediately understood that she had heard everything. He frowned, thinking of a solution.

Calliope chuckled, "You don't need to worry. Even if I don't leave, I won't cause you any trouble. I have no interest in anything here."

With that, Calliope went straight upstairs. John, furious, shouted at her retreating figure, "Calliope, I warn you, leave immediately after giving birth!"

Calliope only sneered and silently vowed to take her child and leave no matter what.

John's words echoed in her mind. Calliope knew she had no voice in the Moore family. If she talked back, she would be seen as a madwoman by the entire family and could only swallow her grievances.

She hurried upstairs, eager to return to her small space. Once she closed the door, she could cry, laugh, and do what she liked without caring about others' opinions. In her room, Calliope locked the door and leaned against it. Though she felt terrible, she refused to show her weakness. Alone, she had to be strong.

Every day was filled with sadness, constantly defending against others' accusations, especially Sylvester's harm. She had to watch him flirt with other women, and she had had enough of such days, each feeling like an eternity.

Meanwhile, Sylvester, the source of Calliope's pain, felt a pang in his heart hearing her door close. The pain came and went quickly, leaving him confused about his feelings. He opened his door and looked at Calliope's closed door, wondering how much sorrow was hidden inside. He knew his anger towards her wasn't genuine, but seeing her reminded him of his own grievances, making him want to retaliate, only to feel worse after hurting her.

No one knew Sylvester's inner struggle. Just then, his phone rang, showing Dione's name. Annoyed, he hung up. His black suit fit perfectly, but it didn't match his mood, not that he cared.

As soon as he hung up, a message popped up. He glanced at Calliope's closed door, the dim light inside suggesting she might be asleep. Could she really be unaffected? He decided to answer the call.

"Hello, Sylvester, why didn't you answer my call earlier?" Dione's sweet voice came through as she played with the bracelet Sylvester had given her.

Though he disliked her attitude, Sylvester forced a gentle explanation, "I was in the shower and my hand slipped."

The excuse sounded weak, but Dione didn't find it odd, "That's okay. I just wanted to check if you got home safely."

Sylvester smiled and put the call on speaker, "I was in the shower, so where else could I be? At your place?"

As he spoke, he kept his eyes on Calliope's room. He wanted her to hear everything, to know that even though she was pregnant, she wasn't the only one who could be his wife. Many women were willing to be with him.

Dione caught the teasing in his voice, "My dad praised you today, saying you're handsome, have a good family background, and treat me very well."

Such flattery was familiar to him, but now he said it for Calliope to hear. "Dione, get some rest. Women need to maintain good skin," Sylvester finally ended the call.

Dione was delighted by his concern, "Okay, goodnight!"

He replied with a "Goodnight" and a playful kiss towards the phone, smugly looking at Calliope's closed door. Even if she covered her ears, she couldn't have missed the conversation.

Leaning against the door, Calliope heard everything clearly, her chest aching as if cut by a knife. She couldn't accept Dione's sweet treatment of Sylvester or tolerate his affectionate behavior towards another woman. His final kiss through the screen deeply hurt her. Every time she was about to break down, Sylvester would appear, rekindling her hope, only to plunge her back into despair repeatedly.

At that moment, Calliope finally understood: she had truly fallen in love with Sylvester. From losing him the first time to reuniting and re-entering this family, it all stemmed from her deep, unbreakable feelings. It was love.

It was truly love!