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."

get old and need someone to care for them, are you just going to say, 'Sorry,

right in the eye and smiled,

Lisette stared back, stunned.

so sharp? Since when did

always do my part," Lisette stammered, on the

replied coolly. "Are you gonna

conversation. Oh dear, was

out of line?"

all my fault!" Calliope added, mimicking Lisette's usual feeble look, her

off her game. For once, she didn't know how to handle Calliope. She just stood

conversation, though

Lisette's frightened face and the others

here? All of you ganging up on Lisette?"

ready. Whatever this is, sort it out after you've

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

brought up the whole

thing."