A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

So, deep down, was Silas just using her as a stand-in for that other woman? Was that why he always got so emotional, so lost in the moment with her?

The thought crossed Calliope's mind, and almost instinctively, she wanted to be more proactive, to make sure she occupied every part of his attention.

She couldn't pinpoint when it happened, but somewhere along the line, her heart had started to open up to this man. It was hard to say exactly when she began to hope they could keep going on like this together.

She had already forgotten about Gideon, forgotten about the days before. It was Silas she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

But there was still a sliver of unease in her heart. It wasn't that she didn't want to ask; she just didn't have the courage.

What if she asked, and he said she was only a stand-in? What would she do then? What if he told her she was only temporary, that he would eventually return to the woman in his heart? How would she handle that?

Fear of the unknown kept her from wanting to change anything. She was terrified that if she tried to change their current situation, it would all shatter like a fragile bubble.

Calliope realized she was scared of losing Silas, something she'd never felt. She didn't know when it started, but she found herself leaning on him more and more.

What began as a fake marriage with the thought of a quick exit had become something else entirely. Calliope couldn't imagine leaving him now, not unless he said so.

Her growing affection was something Silas reciprocated wholeheartedly. He responded to her passion with equal fervor.

Before they knew it, the car had arrived back home. Their passion had left their clothes slightly askew, a testament to their fervor.

Damien, their driver, seemed to sense the charged atmosphere from the backseat. After parking the car, he discreetly stepped out, gave a quick nod, and headed to his own quarters.

Silas carried Calliope out of the car. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at him earnestly and eagerly.

Silas could read the longing in her eyes. She wanted him.

Eagerly, he carried her upstairs, tossing her gently onto the bed. As he shrugged off his jacket and moved closer, Calliope leaned in, deftly unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time.

Her movements were unhurried, fingers lightly brushing against Silas's chest. He grasped her hand, his deep eyes holding her gaze, reflecting her image back at her.

The room's temperature seemed to rise in response to their closeness.

Calliope's cheeks flushed slightly, and before long, a light sheen of sweat covered her skin...

The following morning, Calliope awoke to find Silas watching her. For once, he hadn't risen before her Despite the late hour, he lay beside her, gazing at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

His eyes were impossible to resist. Meeting his gaze was like getting caught in a

deep, swirling vortex.

Calliope's heart raced.

"Awake?" his voice was soft and gentle. His hand brushed lightly over her hair, his heart melting at the memory of her initiative the previous night. She was his woman, adorable in every way. Asleep, she resembled a sweet, tiny creature, so endearing he couldn't bear to look noveldrama

away.

"Yeah," Calliope murmured, feeling a twinge of soreness in her back. She rubbed

her waist gently.

In an instant, his warm hand was there, massaging the tension away.

"Did yesterday's antics wear you out?"

Recalling the wildness of the previous night-initiated by her-brought a blush to Calliope's cheeks. The indulgence of last night had left her with aching limbs today.

"Take it easy today. Stay in and rest. I'm skipping work. How about I keep you company?"

"Okay."