A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Silas's eyes were deep and intense, full of feeling.

"Maybe you won't believe me, but I swear I'm telling the truth. I liked Callie way before she and I ever got together," he said quietly.

"It goes way back. I mean, I was just a kid, barely ten years old, and I already had a crush on her. As we got older, my feelings just grew stronger. But back then, she only had eyes for Gideon. Honestly, I think she was even a little scared of me."

He looked down, the old memories clearly still stinging. He'd always watched her from a distance, always hoping she'd notice him just once, but she never did. Back then, it was only Gideon for her. She loved him, and that was that. It hurt.

Silas regretted not trying harder, not fighting for her sooner. But he'd been just a scrawny kid with nothing to offer. He'd told himself he'd wait until he was strong enough, until he really had something to give her, and then he'd tell her how he felt.

But by the time he finally made something of himself, her heart belonged to someone else.

Thinking about it now still made his chest tighten. Especially remembering how, in another life, she'd died-because of their whole messed-up crowd, she'd died in the worst way. He never got there in time to save her. That regret still haunted him.

But this time, he'd done everything to bring her back.

"I don't know if you believe me, but even if she died, I'd go right up to the gates of hell and drag her back out," he said fiercely. "I'd pay any price for her. I'd give up anything. I'd do it, even if it meant I'd never get peace, not for a thousand lifetimes."

He looked up, a half-smile on his face, but his eyes were serious.

exchanged glances, falling silent for

really did love Callie. No one could fake that kind of devotion. Still, they weren't about to take

was cheap, after all. Anyone could say they'd die for love, but it's only when things get tough that

Silas seemed decent enough, but you never really know how a

family. Callie had always insisted

her well, and they

everyone else

it was all a

was good to Callie,

especially vulnerable to falling hard

to watch out for Callie, just to

that the three of them were all together, it was the perfect chance to put Silas

said suddenly, "why don't you crash with

they'd want to grill

twist of nerves. This was definitely a

just