A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

She stayed quiet, not offering an opinion on anything. She just took her time, sipping her coffee.

She let everyone else argue, the tension in the room almost thick enough to cut with a knife.

After Verity stopped snapping back at people, the old house finally quieted down a bit, and everyone settled into some casual, light conversation.

When Calista Baker and Dahlia Baker arrived, they took seats beside Calliope.

Calliope asked them about school, and also checked in on how Calista was doing at the company. Lately, whenever Calista had free time, he'd go to the office to learn from Silas.

Silas always said Calista picked things up incredibly fast. He was still young, but already way ahead of where Gideon had been at his age. It wouldn't be long before Calista could handle things on his own.

"Yeah, it's been great," Calista nodded seriously. "Uncle Silas has taught me so much. Whenever I'm stuck, I ask you too, Aunt Callie, and I think I've got the hang of it all now."

"You really are doing well. Your uncle keeps saying how impressed he is with you! At this rate, you'll be running things yourself in no time."

Calliope was clearly pleased with Calista.

Dahlia chimed in from beside her, "Aunt Callie, how come you're only praising him? I've learned a lot too, you know! I think I'm doing pretty well!”

are, Dahlia! You've totally mastered every sewing technique

at Dahlia, finding her absolutely adorable. That finally got a big, satisfied grin out

long before the whole

moved to the dining room, chatting and laughing as they settled in for their big holiday

sat beside Eamon, talking with him and making sure his plate was full. She mentioned she'd be

didn't mind at all. He said she should absolutely spend time with

full of visitors these next few days. I

"Silas, you make sure to stay with Callie,

Silas replied with a

table, Gideon kept glancing their way, feeling a pang of

together. His own side of the table couldn't have felt more awkward. Even though Yvette was expecting, there wasn't

Calliope, realizing he'd run out of chances. He'd

Yvette, the girl who had no sense of etiquette and

enjoyed the meal, Gideon's family just

in the living room

old family tradition. He even gave- Calliope an extra big one. She tried to refuse, but Eamon insisted, so