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.

found himself thinking about grandkids more and

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,

to first!" Zelda narrowed her eyes. "I'm her mother. Even if she doesn't feel grateful, she

things up on purpose," he said. "If she wanted to, she could've just refused to help in the first place. Why

...

wasn't long before Calliope made her way back from the

she found Silas

glancing over his shoulder.

Calliope replied, and walked

of those really cozy ones that just make you want to curl up. The

soaking up the comfort. For a moment, everything else faded

looked down, his handsome face softer than usual. "What's

his sharp features. He really

birth mom. I keep wondering where

met her real mother. Was she still