A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"No way. We have to get it back!" Zelda was fuming, practically stomping her foot. "She's getting worse every day, seriously. I never agreed with her taking your stuff. Your father and the others are just too spineless! That's exactly why that harpy can walk all over them!"

And with that, Zelda grabbed Lisette's arm and marched her toward the door.

Lisette's lips curled up in a satisfied little smirk. She quickly wiped it away before anyone else could see.

As they stepped out into the living room, Lisette made sure her eyes were red, like she'd been holding back tears. She glanced at Monty and the others.

"Mom, just let it go, okay? It's really not a big deal. I mean it, I'm fine!"

"Really, I don't need it back. Compared to the family business and Horatio, what I'm giving up is nothing."

Everyone heard Lisette's quivering voice, and the whole room looked at her suspiciously.

Calliope, too, was watching her with a puzzled look. What's all this about sacrifice? Calliope thought.

Zelda whirled on Calliope. "Calliope, you've been taking a ton of Lisette's things, haven't you? What are you, a burglar? Don't you feel any shame?"

Monty interjected, "What's the big deal, Zelda? I told Callie she could take those things. Most of that stuff was Callie's to begin with! She's just taking back what was hers, and if she doesn't want it, she'll give it back. Just like when Lisette used to ask for Callie's things. No harm done, right?"

Lisette a sidelong glance. "Lisette, are you

quiet, just looking

her head. "No, it's fine! If Callie wants something, she can have it. I know everything I have was really Callie's

small, gracious smile. "If she wants it back,

understanding. She's not even mad.

laughed bitterly, eyes never leaving Calliope. "Maybe you should ask her what

Horatio, confused. Neither of them seemed to get

caught on. Lisette was about to put on her usual act, spinning some sob

at it, always playing the

always fishing for sympathy. Calliope had fallen for it plenty of times

take it anymore. "She took

don't take. Doesn't she

come on," Zelda

yet

at Calliope. "You didn't

just because you