A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"These styles are just awful. Let's try somewhere else,” Valerian said, picking up

on the awkward atmosphere and quickly steering Lisette away.

Horatio and Ulysses trailed behind, neither saying much. Ulysses kept glancing

back at Calliope, unable to help himself. He knew it now—she had those amazing

new brothers in her life. There was no way she'd ever look at them, her original

brothers, the same way again. Of course she didn't need them anymore.

A strange, heavy sort of sadness settled in Ulysses' chest. Horatio looked just as

conflicted.

Up ahead, Valerian and Lisette walked in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

Neither had realized just how well Calliope had been doing since she left the

Jewell family, or that she'd found brothers who could easily replace them.

Lisette especially couldn't believe it. She had tried so hard to win Calliope over, to

be the sister she never had, but apparently, Calliope didn't even need her.

If Lisette had brothers like that—tall, charming, successful—she probably wouldn't

bother with her original family either. These guys weren't nearly as handsome or

accomplished as the new ones.

Eventually, the four of them reached a little rest area in the mall, a cozy spot with

benches and a vending machine humming nearby. They sat down, all

than a little worn

voice earnest. "This was supposed to be a

out. I didn't mean for it

wanted to talk. The silence dragged on until Valerian finally

his throat.

none of this is your fault. Seriously.

hadn't dragged you

we wouldn't

Lisette replied

her hands. "And if

would

So

out a long, frustrated

sorry. I ruined

And it's not like I'm

change how

rich, perfect

she

back to

you blame her?" Lisette continued, her tone wistful. "They can give

she wants. Maybe she thinks the Jewell family just can't

why bother?"

like she was just thinking out loud, but her words had

to

them for money

Horatio and

notice her angle.

up in their