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 a

just shook his head. He honestly had no idea. But he figured it

about Silas.

for details. She just

was all marble floors and high ceilings.

so was a woman sitting on

designer labels. Maybe

plastic surgeon, but you could tell

gorgeous.

Whoever

she was probably up to

made it." Oliver sipped his coffee, looking up. "Did Silas

not, since he's

he didn't come with me," Calliope

And honestly? I'm not wild about you

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

interested in playing nice.

the three of them looked like some weird standoff from a

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

you want?"

stunned, as if no one had ever

"sir" or "Mr.

heard me. Old man, ancient fossil, whatever you want to call

kept going,

man" like it

old and

what? Just

day?"

chest dramatically, like he was

really that old?"

Calliope glanced

older than you too,