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?"

swear I'll explain everything when I do.

hadn't even raised her voice, but Quentin was already pleading for mercy. She couldn't help

her eyes.

second. She knew whatever Quentin and her brothers did, it was always to protect

not upset with you. I just wanted to ask. How could I be mad about

asked, "Since you knew, did you ever try to find out about my birth family?

where she came from. Kermit had met her mother once, but what about

many questions.

real family, to see

into it... but there really aren't many clues. We haven't found much But I promise, we'll keep looking. We're

the ache in her chest

mother even

wanted to

Quentin. I'll let you get

and hey, don't forget to come home