A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Hudson's brows pulled together in a tight frown.

"I knew it—there's just no fooling you, is there?" he said with a resigned sigh. "If you knew the truth, you'd tell him. You wouldn't be able to keep it from him, not for a second. That's why I can't let you see, and I can't let you know."

"Callie, this is my decision. I appreciate your concern, really, but you don't need to worry about me."

"After breakfast, just write me a prescription or something, and then you should head home."

"I get it—you can't lie to Lance. So don't say anything. I'll do the talking, and you just nod along, okay? He'll only believe it if you back me up. Otherwise, he won't trust a word I say."

Calliope went quiet, her mouth opening, then closing again. She studied Hudson for a moment. She still couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong with him, but she had a gut feeling-it had to be something terminal.

"Hudson, you know how good I am at this," she pressed gently. "If you don't let me take a look, I can't say for sure if I can help you or not. But even with a terminal illness, there are always different scenarios. Sometimes, it's not hopeless."

"And even if I can't cure you, I'm pretty sure I can buy you some more time. That's not nothing."

Hudson, please, just let me take a look. I can't promise a miracle. But I'll do everything I can to help you live

stand by and do nothing-not with Hudson. If it were anyone else, maybe she'd turn away.

fix everything. But she

know you'd help if you could. But this is... complicated," he said, rubbing his temples. "Honestly, it's better if you don't know. Knowing, but being powerless to help? That's worse. This is my choice. It's got

like a ton of bricks." Calliope's heart squeezed in her chest. She felt for both

could work

the brink but she knew better. There were some

was just

get it. But if he finds out now, he'll be

quietly. "I just want him to have a few more

think he's that happy right now,

new voice chimed in from the

eyes

Hudson said, managing a faint smile. “Come on, let's