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.

had messed up. She needed to face

isn't really the point.

sure she heard every word. "But you made mistakes. You

taking on the big brother role. "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. You need to

get that you're exhausted, but

let

more than her. But it turns out, there's still a lot for you to work on. So take this as a chance. Learn from Callie. It'll do you

okay? We're not going to fall

was brutally honest, giving her no room

sympathy. But Horatio stood firm, and when she turned to Valerian, her last

quietly, "Horatio's right. You should listen to

heart plummeted. It felt like the world was

an end to it. "Alright, Lisette. You've

it."