A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Are you sure you know what you're talking about?" Verity glanced at Fleur, raising one perfectly arched eyebrow in disbelief.

Fleur bristled, her cheeks flushing a little, but she couldn't quite come up with a good comeback.

From his wheelchair, Gideon cut in, "Verity, that's enough. I know whether the kid's mine or not. I wouldn't be raising someone else's child without knowing it.”

As soon as he finished, Gideon's gaze drifted over to where Calliope and Silas sat together. They looked happy, the kind of couple that made other people jealous. Just seeing them together made something twist painfully inside him.

He couldn't help but wonder: what if he'd never gotten tangled up with Yvette? What if he'd married Calliope like everyone expected? Would his life have looked completely different? Would he be happier and luckier than he was now?

Thinking about everything that had happened lately just made Gideon feel even more frustrated. He used to be the golden boy, the favorite nephew, the heir apparent to the Baker Group. Now, thanks to one woman, he'd lost everything.

Not only had he lost the woman he loved, but the woman he was stuck with now, the one he used to be crazy about, he could barely stand to be around her. If not for Yvette, none of this would've happened. His life wouldn't be in such shambles.

Getting back into the Baker Group was almost impossible now. His old job had been handed off while he was recovering. He'd tried talking to his uncle, but all he got was, "Let's see how your legs heal up first."

dragged on, Gideon worried he'd never be allowed back at all. He was terrified he'd lose even

get back into the Baker Group, who else would take him? No one wanted to risk crossing Silas just to give him

voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can't get around much these days, and some people, well, they don't mind flirting with their

to be innocent. "I know it sounds harsh, but I really am just looking

and fearless attitude. She just loved stirring the pot, especially

side of the family.

miserable, she was

simple as that.

After all, this was her fault. If she hadn't gotten involved with his uncle,

knew what Yvette had done. With Christmas coming up, she was dreading the holiday visits, every cousin and aunt would be gossiping behind her back. She hadn't played bridge with the other society ladies in months. Her husband barely spoke to her these days,

relentless.

Calliope had been their daughter-in-law, Fleur thought bitterly, none of this