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.

wasn't wrong. Lisette had messed up. She

whether Calliope cares about us or not isn't really the point. What matters is how we feel about you, and we do care.

heard every word. "But you made mistakes. You need

"It's my job to make sure you grow up right. Maybe I let things slide before, but now Callie's stepping in to teach you some life lessons.

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

let

turns out, there's still a lot for you to

fall for your puppy dog eyes this time.

was brutally honest, giving her no room

at least a little sympathy. But Horatio stood firm, and when she turned to

right. You should listen to

It felt like the world was crumbling

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

it."