A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

In the crowd, Portia's eyes were red with anger; she was wiping away tears, seething with frustration. Mavis clenched her fists tightly beside her.

They both knew all too well the kind of place Calliope had been in for years. They understood deeply how much Zelda's words must have hurt her.

Calliope had once been a child who yearned for her parents' love. She had tried hard, really hard, to please them, to win some affection. But they were so biased, never caring about how she felt.

Standing nearby, Archie looked like he was about to intervene physically, but Uriah placed a calming hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

The murmurs and whispers among the crowd grew louder. Sure, everyone thought Lisette might be more accomplished than Calliope but doubted the Jewell family would abandon their biological daughter.

Blood tie was always there, after all, and an adopted child couldn't compare.

"It's sad for Calliope. Don't you think so? If the Jewell family treated her well, she wouldn't be so determined to leave, right?"

"Not necessarily. Calliope might just be acting out!"

"Even so, she's their real daughter. Would they disown her?"

favors Lisette. Calliope seems pretty alone in

maybe Calliope brought it on herself? Would the Jewell family

maybe Lisette

"Hard to say."

was divided, some siding with

on whether Calliope would seriously sever ties with the

would be rough

confident enough to thrive without them, and

course, some claimed

.n

out of gratitude, and that eventually, he'd tire of her. They believed Calliope was

AQUMS

a million, and we'll call

this!" Monty frowned, "Come on, let's not make a scene. Callie,

to

scoffed, "She will suffer, not us! Calliope, if you're so eager to