A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope grabbed Yvette's wrist, her fingers cool and sure. In her other hand, she balanced an iced latte, sipping through the straw as she checked Yvette's pulse with practiced ease.

After a moment, Calliope looked up, a raised brow betraying her surprise. "Well, you're in pretty good shape, huh? You got pregnant this fast? It's definitely a bun in the oven. Is it really Gideon's, though?"

One sentence, and Fleur's attention snapped to Yvette. Her eyes narrowed, sharp as knives.

After all, her son's legs weren't fully healed yet. Everyone knew that. Who could say for sure if Yvette was really carrying Gideon's baby? She remembered all too well how Yvette had flirted with Silas. If she could seduce Silas, who's to say she hadn't been with someone else, too?

Fleur regarded Yvette with a cautious, almost predatory suspicion.

Yvette's face went pale, and she shot Calliope a furious glare before rushing to explain, “Mom, it's not what you think! I've only been with Gideon, I swear. If you don't believe me, just ask him! There's nobody else, I promise!"

She sounded desperate, pleading with Fleur to believe her.

God, Calliope's big mouth was going to get her killed one of these days. If she hadn't said anything, Fleur probably wouldn't have started doubting her.

But Fleur knew Yvette all too well. She'd never really believed Yvette loved Gideon. It had always been about money and social climbing with her. If someone wealthier or more powerful came along, Yvette would drop Gideon in a heartbeat. But right now, she didn't have any better options.

she'd get access to anyone higher up the food chain. She was stuck with them, and she knew

of excitement and uncertainty. She wanted to believe it, but couldn't help worrying that Calliope might be

This time, she needed Yvette to

just shrugged. "Yep, she's pregnant, alright. But you might want to get a proper

sip of

"But listen, her

iffy. She might

there's no guarantee

to term.

complicated."

it. Yvette had always had issues. Getting pregnant hadn't been easy, and

Miscarriage was a

just say the baby might not come out perfectly healthy, either. Genetics

now?" Fleur snapped, her

rolled her eyes. "I'm not cursing anyone. I'm just giving