A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Of course, they showered her with kindness and everything money could buy, desperate to prove she wasn't just the adopted kid. They bent over backwards, trying to give her the world. They never wanted her to feel like an outsider, so whatever she asked for, they'd make it happen.

But after nearly twenty years of living as the cherished daughter of the Jewell family, what did she remember? Not the luxury, not the love—just that she was adopted. Even now, she didn't really feel like she was part of the family.

Or maybe, she just didn't want to.

Or maybe, nothing they ever did was good enough for her.

Or maybe, they just felt they still hadn't done enough.

Horatio and Valerian both looked tense, their faces darkening.

Monty looked even worse, like he'd just bitten into a lemon bar that was all lemon, no sugar.

Calliope, though, seemed to wake everyone up with her words. Whenever something didn't go her way, Lisette'd play the "adopted daughter" card. Did she really think she could guilt-trip them like that?

“I—I didn't mean it that way!" Lisette blurted out, scrambling to explain. "I know you all treat me so well. It's my fault, not yours!"

"Oh, please," Calliope shot back, rolling her eyes. "You spend every day acting like you're some poor orphan. Who's treated you badly here? You've always been raised like you were their own, but you never once acted like you were."

are you just going to say, 'Sorry, I'm just the adopted one, not my

looked Lisette right in the

Lisette stared back, stunned.

had Calliope gotten so sharp? Since when did she know how to fight

do my part," Lisette stammered, on the

you know if I'm wrong, Lisette," Calliope replied coolly. "Are you gonna ery now?

conversation. Oh dear, was

out of line?"

Calliope added, mimicking Lisette's usual feeble look, her face full

was left speechless, totally thrown off her game. For once, she didn't know how to handle Calliope.

in, having missed most of the conversation, though even if she'd heard, she'd probably still be on Lisette's

and the others crowding around Calliope, Zelda's

is going on here? All of you ganging up on Lisette?" she snapped. "She just

ready. Whatever

it's not their fault. It's mine," Lisette said quickly, tears trembling in

brought up the whole

thing."