A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"What box?" Quentin sounded a little suspicious on the other end of the line.

"There was a letter in the box. A letter about where I really come from. Did you know about it?"

Calliope's voice was quiet, but steady.

Quentin went silent for a moment.

That pause told Calliope everything she needed to know.

He knew. He'd known all along.

She realized, her three older brothers probably all knew she wasn't really born into the Jewell family. Maybe they were just trying to protect her, or maybe they wanted to find her real family first. Either way, they hadn't told her the truth. They'd kept it hidden.

"You did know, didn't you?" Calliope pressed gently.

Quentin sounded flustered now. "Callie, I did know. Please, you're not mad that I kept it from you, are you?"

don't be mad, okay? I can't come home yet, but I swear I'll explain everything when I do. I'll get on my knees and beg for forgiveness

her voice, but Quentin was already pleading for mercy.

her eyes.

for a second. She knew whatever Quentin and her brothers did, it was always to protect her. They weren't like the Jewells-selfish and scheming. Her brothers loved her.

ask. How could I be mad about something like this? I

ever try to find out about my birth family? My mom, my real parents, do

Kermit had met her mother once, but what about her father? Her relatives? Why had

questions. So

to know her real family, to see what they

three of us have been looking into it... but there really aren't many clues. We haven't found much But I promise, we'll keep looking. We're not giving up. We'll help

ache in her

mother

she wanted

let you get back

hey, don't forget to come home early for Christmas, okay?