A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Lisette stared at the message on the nameplate, her eyes practically burning. She looked at Calliope with a mix of annoyance and reluctance, her jaw set, trying to hold back her frustration.

"If it's not about work, I really don't see what we need to talk about," Calliope replied, not even bothering to look up from her paperwork.

Lisette marched right up to Calliope's desk and stood in front of her, arms crossed. She locked eyes with her for a long, tense moment before finally speaking.

"It was me who reached out to Horatio and the others. Don't blame them for anything, and don't make things hard for them," Lisette said, voice tight but determined. "If you have a problem, take it up with me. They haven't done anything wrong. It's all on me."

Calliope looked up, surprised. This wasn't like Lisette at all; she was never one to take the blame for anyone else, let alone stand up for someone else in front of her.

Calliope studied her for a second, her curiosity piqued.

be bragging about it instead? Standing

Maybe they just like me better, but it's not their fault. You shouldn't take

take care of them. Isn't that what you

you're angry, just take it out on me. I

it's my fault. I made you upset. I made

dropped her gaze, looking for all the world like she had no idea

suddenly saw right

Lisette was here to rub it in. She wanted Calliope to see that she didn't have to do anything, and the Jewell family would always choose her anyway. No matter how hard Calliope tried, she'd never win. Lisette was here to

laugh. "So this is your victory lap, huh? You want me to know that they care about you, not

trying to get under

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