A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Lisette stared at Horatio and Valerian in disbelief. They were actually siding with Calliope on this? She couldn't believe it. They really thought Calliope was in the right?

Calliope, for her part, just shrugged, her tone chilly. "That's settled, then.”

With that, she turned away and got back to whatever she was doing, not sparing the others another glance.

Lisette blinked rapidly, staring at the two men, her face full of hurt and

disappointment. "Did you hear what she said? She just told you she doesn't care if you're around or not."

Her voice wavered. "But I...I really need you. You have no idea how much you mean to me, how much I love you!"

She looked at Horatio and Valerian, hoping for a flicker of sympathy.

For a moment, Horatio's gaze softened. After all, they'd spoiled her since she was little. Seeing her so lost and desperate tugged at his heart, especially since Calliope had been working her pretty hard lately. He hadn't asked questions, but he could guess. Lisette had never been through anything like this.

the truth was, Calliope wasn't wrong. Lisette had messed up. She needed to

or not isn't really the point. What matters is how we feel about you, and we

"But you made

Maybe I let things slide before, but now Callie's stepping in to teach you some life lessons. You need

the workload's heavy, and I get that you're exhausted, but Callie isn't wrong to push you.

let

than her. But it turns out, there's still a lot for you to work on. So take this as a chance.

We're not going to fall for your puppy

was brutally honest, giving her no room to

But Horatio stood firm, and when she turned to Valerian, her last hope, the one she was closest

quietly, "Horatio's right. You should listen

like the world was

it. "Alright, Lisette. You've got work to do. Better

it."