A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Chapter 439

Calliope glanced over at Horatio. "Do you think I'm here begging for your love?"

She chuckled softly. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I've got to ask-how much is your love really worth?"

"That isn't something you measure in dollars and cents," Horatio replied, furrowing his brow.

"Oh, really? Then how do you measure it?" Calliope stepped closer, standing right in front of him. "Is it by the insults, the betrayals, the humiliations? Is it the lack of trust, the favoritism? Is that your idea of love?

Do you think I'm some kind of masochist who still craves your love? Well, newsflash-I don't need it anymore, and I sure as hell don't love you back," she said, her smile turning gradually frosty.

"After having a near-death experience, I realized something crucial-I won't get your love, and I don't want it.

have my brothers-three wonderful, caring brothers-and a husband who treats me like gold. I might not have parents, but it doesn't

a drop of shared blood, they're more family to me than you ever

He opened his mouth, trying to find words that wouldn't come. Hearing her talk about the love of her brothers with no blood ties pricked something uncomfortable within him, and when she declared she didn't love them anymore, it left an

melodrama. Save your love for Lisette. It's not worth a dime to

Calliope shrugged.

unease creep in. Her words, her demeanor they were all so different. The little girl who once looked to

let's head to the office

forced a smile, glancing at her repeatedly as they walked. He'd often overlooked her, never giving her much thought, but now, seeing her like this, she seemed like someone entirely new-and

nover

his daughter, yet

he knew less about

ette