A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Callie, do you want anything else to eat? I can get it for you, just let me know, okay?"

"You know, even though we were sitting with Lisette earlier, we were actually thinking about you the whole time!"

"Oh, and Callie-if there's anything you want from the store, I'm heading out later.

I can pick up your favorite snacks or whatever you need!"

Valerian was working hard to get Calliope's attention.

Calliope glanced at Valerian, her eyes soon landing on the scarf wrapped around his neck.noveldrama

She raised an eyebrow. "Nice scarf. Who made it for you? You love it so much you can't even take it off at lunch?"

As she spoke, she shot a look at Horatio. He was wearing a cheap-looking beaded bracelet-one of those things you get at a flea market for a couple bucks. But he wore it like it was precious, right alongside his expensive watch.

"Cool bracelet, too," Calliope added, her voice teasing.

Then her gaze shifted to Monty, who tried to hide a ring on his finger, but it was too late. The ring was clearly handmade, a rough silver band with a glass bead glued on top, nothing like the rare collectibles Monty usually wore.

Calliope smirked, her tone playful. "That ring's got style. Who's the designer?"

All three of them looked completely caught off guard. They glanced at each other, faces stiffening. None of them had expected Calliope to instantly figure out that Lisette had given them those little gifts.

Calliope was a bit surprised herself. Lisette was more cunning than she'd thought. Just a few trinkets, and she'd managed to win over all three guys. They really weren't that hard to buy off.

Calliope gave them a pointed look.

"Who gave you those? Was it Lisette?"

"So, you're all best buddies with Lisette now?"

"Wow, that was fast. Guess you didn't waste any time changing sides."

"I bet you've been talking behind my back these past few days, huh?"

She ate her food slowly, looking up at them with a half-smirk, her tone sharp and mocking.

"No way!" Monty said quickly, almost jumping out of his seat. "I swear, Callie! We haven't said anything bad about you!"

"Seriously, we didn't!" Valerian

chimed in. "Callie, don't get the wrong idea. Sure, Lisette gave us some gifts and we cleared up a few misunderstandings, but you're our real sister. You're the one we care about!"

"Yeah, Callie, c'mon," Horatio added. "We're family. And you know, it wasn't really Lisette's fault, what happened back then. Honestly, it was our fault. We treated hepbetter than you, and that was wrong."

"It wasn't about Lisette. That's on us. You shouldn't blame her. We're sorry for

what we did, and we'll make it up to you. We promise."

Horatio looked at Calliope, his expression almost pleading, as if he really wanted her to believe the apology.

But Calliope just found the whole thing amusing.

How could it all be their fault? Of course Lisette had played a part. She was

always scheming, always trying to turn things in her favor.

Calliope couldn't even be bothered to argue about it. She just kept eating, not saying a word. After all, they weren't her real family. She didn't have to care what they thought anymore.

Her silence made Monty and the others even more anxious.

When Calliope finished eating and left with Franco, the three guys looked even

more desperate, exchanging worried glances as she walked away.