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?"

but I swear I'll explain everything when I do. I'll get on my knees and beg

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

her eyes.

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

wanted to ask. How could I be mad about

you ever try to find out about my birth family?

know where she came from. Kermit had met her mother once, but what about her father? Her relatives? Why had

questions. So many

know her real family, to see what they

clues. We haven't found much But I promise, we'll keep looking. We're not giving

fell silent, the ache in her chest a

mother

wanted

I'll let you get

forget to come home early for