A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Just as the commotion started, everyone's curiosity was piqued. People gathered around with wide eyes, whispering and trading theories like they were at a neighborhood barbecue.

"It's not for me? Oh, come on, it's obviously for me!" Valerian insisted, grinning. "Franco, you knew about this, didn't you?"

"Callie told you to order this car, right? She specifically wanted you to get it for me, didn't she?"

"I heard you both talking about ordering the car, you know!" Valerian added matter-of-factly, as if everything was already settled. "You won't help me? Fine, I'll take care of it myself. The keys? Are they in the car?"

He started tugging at the car cover, determined to see what was underneath.

Franco tried to stop him, but Valerian was having none of it. He was absolutely set on seeing and test-driving the car.

Ulysses, standing nearby, started to get the feeling something wasn't right.

If this car really was for Valerian, Franco wouldn't be trying so hard to block him from it. Odds were, the fancy new ride wasn't his.

"Valerian, maybe you should double-check," Ulysses suggested, shooting a look at Franco. "There's a chance it's not actually for you."

thought of Callie and felt a pang of annoyance. She had more than one "big brother" figure. Maybe this gift was for someone

way. She told Franco it was for her second brother,

look on his face. If he remembered right, Callie had three "brothers" at

trying to be diplomatic, "Callie never actually said this car was for you. If it were, I would've handed you the keys already. I really don't want you to get

his mind, Callie wouldn't give a gift like this

Franco's protests, Valerian whipped the cover

could only watch in

came off.

of those in the whole country! Did the boss

it away as

for Valerian? That can't

it either," someone

In

just too extravagant. No one could

something like that.