Chapter 40

"I think you should butt out of my stuff with Sylvester. Seriously, just make sure Nina doesn't tick him off in front of Sylvester. Honestly, it was kinda messed up of you to take Nina away," Calliope suddenly piped up.

Lucas was about to snap back, but she walked off to pray, leaving him standing there, feeling kinda lost.

Lucas had been getting the short end of the stick, being blamed for "stealing a girlfriend" from the get-go, all because of Nina's big, dramatic plan. He didn't wanna get involved, but Nina had begged him over and over.

After the prayers, everyone started to drift away. John, though, hung back with Calliope, and the two of them wandered around the Moore family estate.

Lately, John had been keeping an eye on Calliope. She wasn't the Vivian he originally wanted, but things seemed to be going okay. At least Sylvester seemed into Calliope, right?

You could tell from the hidden hickey on her neck. Ever since that young model Nina took off, Sylvester's mood had been all over the place, and no one could handle him.

Everyone was miserable, and it felt like a huge dark cloud was hanging over the Moore Mansion, making everyone feel trapped.

"Dad, do you believe in God?" Calliope didn't, at least. If praying could make you happy, then everyone would be praying all day long.

John clasped his hands behind his back and gave a faint smile. "You don't have to believe, but you gotta respect it. Some things can't be explained by science. When there's no explanation, you need something to hold onto. Having faith is good; it keeps your heart from going bad, keeps it alive."

Even though Calliope wasn't really into faith, John's words made sense. After all, religion was just about teaching people to be good. If everyone believed in that mindset, it would be great. But the problem was, a lot of people were lazy and just hoped that believing in God would give them everything.

"These past few days, it seems like you and Sylvester have gotten closer, huh?" John asked casually but was waiting for a straight answer.

Calliope smiled a bit. "Actually, he's not a bad guy, just a bit moody. It was tough at first, but I get used to it. Sylvester's pretty decent."

This was the first time she had talked about Sylvester so warmly!

John nodded with a smile. "Then having a kid with Sylvester shouldn't be a problem."

Calliope was taken aback. A kid?

Seeing her surprised look, John patiently explained, "You know from the last time at the hospital, Sylvester has a bullet in his brain from back then." Just as he was about to dive into the past, John sighed and decided not to go on.

Then he changed the subject. "Michael and I worry every day about that one day Sylvester won't wake up. The Moore family has only one grandson. Should the line end here?

"Surgery is super risky, but I'll find the best doctor no matter what. But there's always a chance something could go wrong. I'm old enough to get that.

"If the worst happens and I have to bury my son, at least there should be some proof that Sylvester existed in this world. Calliope, do you get where I'm coming from as a dad?"

Hearing John's words, Calliope suddenly felt a ton of pressure and a sense of being trapped. She felt kinda selfish. They were hoping to marry off a daughter-in-law who could give Sylvester a kid, but she was just doing this for her own gain.

"Dad, I get it." She got it, but she couldn't do it because she couldn't have a kid with Sylvester.

"As long as you understand. I think you're pretty smart. Honestly, compared to my first impression of you when you joined the Moore family, I like you a lot more now. At first, I thought you were just someone looking for shortcuts, even at the expense of family. Now I see I was too shallow. Maybe you really do like Sylvester."

After living so many years, John realized that if a man had one woman who liked him, that was enough. If all women liked you, it only proved you had money. But if one woman liked you through thick and thin, it proved your personal charm.

For some reason, Calliope suddenly went quiet, feeling full of guilt. If one day they found out she wasn't really the youngest daughter of the Gray family but just an illegitimate child, would they be so mad they'd spit blood? And she couldn't do anything about it. She could pretend to please Sylvester, but she couldn't get pregnant, couldn't have Sylvester's kid.

"Seeing how much you like him and how tolerant you are of him, I really feel happy for Sylvester. Sylvester is really pitiful. Too many things have happened to him that he shouldn't have to bear. And all of this was forced upon him by me, his biological father. I don't deserve to be his father." John got emotional as he spoke, tears welling up in his eyes.

No one knew what had happened between them to make Sylvester hate his dad so much, while John was filled with guilt and indulgence towards Sylvester.

And then there was Zoey. Sylvester had too many secrets, and they were all so confusing. No matter how you pieced together the clues, you couldn't figure out what had happened.

"I will always like him," Calliope said, feeling disgusted with herself. Would she be responsible for this statement?

At this moment, they saw Butler approaching, still so polite, saying, "Mr. John Moore, Mrs. Calliope Moore."

"What is it?" John asked.

Butler replied, "The Gray family called and asked Calliope to go back. They said Jack misses her."

John nodded in agreement. "Then go back. You've been here for quite a few days. Your parents must miss you. Butler, prepare some gifts for Calliope to take back."

"Thanks, Dad." She forced a smile. But going back to the Gray family? What did Jack want now? So annoying! She didn't want to go back to the Gray family at all. Was that her home? Had she ever grown up there for even a day?

The Moore family was generous, giving Calliope a bunch of limited editions, luxury items, and supplements to take back to the Gray family. If she could, she would sell them all halfway and probably make hundreds of thousands.

The driver drove to the Gray Villa, took the gifts out of the trunk, and accompanied her back to the Gray family. It wasn't her home, but she had to pretend to be familiar with it.

"Calliope, this way!"