A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Callie, don't be upset, okay? Even after Lisette comes back, we'll still treat you right," Monty said, picking up on Calliope's sour mood.

He couldn't help himself and called out, "Lisette's back tomorrow. You should come over too! We'll have a family dinner. Whatever you're craving, just tell me, I'll have your mom make it!"

Calliope shot him a look. "Not worried I'll be in the way?"

"Of course not! You're my daughter. I'd love to have you there!" Monty insisted, suddenly very earnest. "Maybe I screwed up in the past, maybe I didn't pay enough attention to you, but that's over. I swear, it won't happen again."

"Callie, I mean it. Cross my heart, hope to die!" He even raised his hand as if making a pledge.

Calliope didn't buy it for a second. She'd heard it all before.

He'd once promised she'd always be his only little girl, that she'd have all his love. And then Lisette showed up, and somehow Callie's spot got smaller and smaller.

"Whatever," Calliope shrugged. "No need for the big promises. You should just focus on work right now. As for dinner tomorrow, of course I'll be there. After all, I'm the one who got her out, right? She owes me at least a thank you."

"And besides," she added, smirking, "someone's gotta help you all roll out the red carpet."

But thinking it over, maybe it was good

Callie was running things now, and Lisette would be back to help. Callie had even

Monty up, and he headed back to his office with a little more spring

that afternoon,

up

One was carrying a coffee, the other a pastry

got your favorite cheesecake," Valerian grinned, setting it

the way up," Horatio

the big

eyed them both, eyebrow raised. "Okay, what's with the sudden sweetness? You guys

almost wounded. "No, really! We just wanted to do

a break, have a snack,"

her,

were kids, they used to look at her like that, like she was the center of their universe. But now, it just felt. Odd. She wasn't sure if they genuinely cared, or if they were buttering her up for something. Especially with Lisette coming

down. Free dessert