A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Oliver was pretty much the poster child for "how NOT to be a dad." For years, he

hadn't even bothered to check in on Silas.

When Silas was a kid, Oliver barely gave him the time of day. Heck, he'd even

entertained the thought of getting rid of his own son. Now, after all these years,

suddenly the old man wanted Silas to come back and help "protect the family

legacy," whatever that meant.

Honestly, it was ridiculous.

Silas saw Oliver as the enemy, and yet Oliver still thought he had some sort of

authority, like Silas would just fall in line because of biology. Newsflash, Oliver:

you can't claim "dad points" when you never did a single dad thing.

The car rumbled along the winding drive.

Calliope just couldn't help herself. She had to rant a bit about Oliver.

Zane, the driver, kept his eyes on the road and didn't say a word. It wasn't until

they pulled up in front of a sprawling suburban mansion that he finally spoke.

"We're here, Ms. Jewell."

Calliope glanced at him. "So, Zane, what does your boss want with me this time?

What's he got to say now?"

Their last meeting had gone off the rails. She hadn't punched Oliver, but this time,

she wasn't making any promises. As Silas's wife, it was her job to protect her

it, even if it meant going

had no idea. But he

about Silas.

push for details. She just

floors and high ceilings. Oliver

but so was a woman sitting on

designer labels. Maybe there were

the plastic surgeon, but

gorgeous.

only gave her a glance. Whoever this woman was, showing up

meant she was probably up

it." Oliver sipped his coffee,

not, since he's

Calliope replied. "He doesn't really

wild about you

flopped down on the far end of the couch, making it clear she

interested in playing nice.

them looked like some weird

her legs and stared Oliver down. "So, what is it, old man?

you want?"

what?" Oliver looked stunned, as if no one had ever

than "sir" or "Mr.

ancient fossil,

kept

man" like it was a

old and still

Just to

day?"

he was

really that old?"

older than me." Calliope glanced at the other woman. "Hey,

think? He's older than you