A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"I can tell I'm not exactly welcome here, so I'll just show myself out." Calliope shrugged, not bothering to hide her annoyance, and headed straight for the door.

"Callie, wait! That's not what we meant!" Monty rushed after her, trying to explain, but Calliope didn't even pause. She didn't look back, didn't say a word, just kept walking until she was gone.

Monty stood in the hallway for a moment, helplessly watching the front door swing shut behind her. There wasn't really anything he could do.

After a minute, he wandered back into the living room.

"At least she finally agreed to do your surgery," he announced, trying to lighten the mood.

He waved a piece of paper at Horatio. "She left us a list of what she needs. Let's get everything ready over the next couple of days and then get this show on the road! Horatio, you're finally going to be up and on your feet again!”

Monty was grinning from ear to ear. Horatio, after all, wasn't getting any younger, and being stuck in a wheelchair made it tough for him at work, sure, but also... well, dating wasn't exactly easy.

There were a few women who'd been interested, but the situation always gave them second thoughts.

Monty imagined that once Horatio was back on his feet, things would change. He'd probably meet someone, settle down, and, who knows, maybe even make Monty a grandpa before too long.

Monty found

in no time," Valerian added, thoughtful. "Look, we've already handed her the company. She knows what's at stake. If she doesn't do a good job fixing you up, we'll

have me to answer to first!" Zelda narrowed her eyes. "I'm her mother. Even if

on purpose," he said. "If she wanted to, she could've just refused to help in the first place. Why go to all this trouble?

...

long before Calliope made her way back from the

inside, she found Silas just getting

the Jewells?" Silas asked, glancing over his shoulder. He knew

and walked over

a soft black sweater- one of those really cozy ones that just

up the comfort. For a moment,

his handsome face softer than

taking in his

murmured, thinking aloud. "I just... I miss my birth mom. I keep wondering where she is, whether she's okay... Do

even met her real mother. Was