A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope regarded Oliver with an unreadable expression. She didn't bother to explain herself or justify anything. Her gaze was cool, almost icy, as she studied Oliver. She was completely composed, unflappable even.

Oliver was the kind of man who could fill a room with his presence, a natural leader, someone people instinctively respected or, more often, feared. Years of power had given him an intimidating air. Most people would have felt a chill just being in the same room as him.

But Calliope wasn't most people. She remained calm, almost detached, looking at him for a long moment before she finally spoke up.

“I wouldn't recommend coming to me or to Silas for anything,” she said, her voice steady. "There's nothing for you here, Oliver. Not anymore. You were the one who turned your back on Silas. Don't expect him to welcome you with open arms. He's not a fool. He knows who's in his corner and who isn't."

"You abandoned him, and now he's more than capable of standing on his own. He doesn't need you. So, what are you hoping to get out of this?"

Calliope popped a slice of orange into her mouth, chewing as she watched Oliver fall silent.

He tried a different tactic. "I could give you a lot, you know. I could give you more than you think. Money, for starters. I know that matters to people like you. All you have to do is leave Silas, and the money's yours. Whether Silas chooses to come back to me after, well, that's between him and me. You'll be out of the picture."

raised an eyebrow, amused. "How much are

show up your family to make them regret ever treating you the way they did. I know your folks have never been

people, even the Jewell family. But honestly? That's less than I

a one-time buyout, but Silas brings in that kind of money

and easily bought?"

assume I'm

but she never once

had expected her to be easy to sway. Instead, he found himself facing someone shrewd and unflappable, someone who was more than a

temper flare.

hardened, his voice dropped cold. "Listen, kid. You think I'm here to negotiate? You think if I don't pay, I can't get you away from Silas? I'm just offering you a chance to deave with a little dignity, that's