A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Archie! How the hell did I end up with a son like you?!"

Archie barely flinched when the coffee mug smashed against his cheek, raising a nasty welt. He just glanced at Gavin, cool as ice. "Trust me, I wish you hadn't."

"You—!" Gavin's face turned beet red as he glared at his son.

"You're no son of mine!"

"Well, I'm sure as hell not looking for a dad like you," Archie shot back with a mirthless laugh.

He rubbed his stinging cheek and made for the door.

"Hey, bro, where are you going?" Chester called out from the dining room, "Christmas dinner's not even on the table yet! At least stay for the turkey, man!"

"Wait, weren't you into that girl Callie? Since when do you like guys?" Chester's face was a mix of confusion and shameless curiosity. "I mean, can a guy even be called Callie?"

kitchen with a bowl of mashed potatoes, glanced over as well, a hint of

whether they were just friends or something more. Archie always seemed to care a lot about Calliope, so she'd assumed they

was saying he liked men? Honestly, she didn't care. If it caused a rift between Gavin and Archie, she'd be glad. She knew Gavin didn't really like Archie all that much, but he was still his son. There was no way Gavin would ever cut Archie off completely, or leave him

well at the family company, too. Some of the old-timers even said Archie would make a fine successor

Chester? That's why she'd

out was a blessing in disguise

room and blocked the

you're going, on Christmas Eve of all nights? Did I

anyone, you just want to take off?" Gavin's voice was shaking with anger. "You've got no manners, Archie.

a cold laugh. "You don't understand me? That's

"Step aside, I'm leaving."

where?" Gavin's voice was icy. "I don't care if you like men, women, or your damn dog. Just keep your mouth shut about it, and who would

yourself! You're still going to meet Ms. Yalton like