A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope stood in the hallway, a deep frown etched across her face as she strained to catch the conversation drifting out of the office nearby. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

She pieced it together pretty quickly: the only reason Valerian didn't dare to cross her was because she had the power and the money. That was obvious enough.

But the real bombshell? He was sleeping with Lisette. Seriously?

She was floored. Lisette had been Valerian's "little sister" for years-closer than most real siblings. And now... this? How the hell did that even happen?

Calliope walked past Lisette's door, her mind a tangled mess. She thought about going in, but decided against it. Still, the whole thing was just so bizarre. What were Lisette and Valerian thinking? It was downright weird.

But honestly, their business was their own. Calliope couldn't be bothered. There was a time she'd thought of Valerian as a real brother, but turns out, he was never really family.

Back when she'd needed them, when she'd been desperate and reached out for help, none of them had cared enough to lift a finger. Whatever feelings she'd once had for them had long since faded.

showed up, paperwork in hand. He must've heard she was back, because he came straight over to update her on

Franco said, rolling his eyes. "Your two brothers and your dad are falling for her tricks all over

tried to flirt with him. He'd brushed her off and kept his distance, even thought about recording her just to have proof. When Lisette realized she was getting nowhere, she stormed off

on you, too?" Calliope was taken aback. "Isn't she already tangled up with

but that's

shaking

She' Ddo anything for a leg up. And the Jewell family just eats it

them. Anyone else would see right through her, But

but there was no humor inst. "No matter what she does, they trust her. Even when they finally start to catch on, give it a few days, they'll forget everything

couldn't help but agree. The Jewells seemed to have

headed back to his office, and Calliope turned her attention to the

the others she was back in the office, nobody came by to bother her. She