A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Monty and his group picked a table close to Calliope's group.

They chatted over burgers and fries, sneaking glances at Calliope every now and then. But she didn't even bother to look up at them, not once. After a couple failed attempts at eye contact, they just exchanged awkward looks and kept quiet.

When Calliope and her crew finished eating, they got up to leave.

Monty's group scrambled to gather their stuff and trailed right after them.

As Calliope's group piled into the elevator, Monty and his friends tried to squeeze

in too, but Silas and Uriah blocked the way.

"Sorry, no more room," Uriah said, expression icy.

Monty glanced at the nearly empty elevator and grumbled, "There's plenty of space..."

like being crowded," Silas said

do except

hurried into the next elevator and

really goes all out for the winter holidays, with parades, fireworks, and food stalls at every corner. The auction wasn't until the evening, so Calliope's crew decided to spend the afternoon sightseeing, maybe catch the street performers or grab some

stepped out of the hotel, the distant pops of fireworks echoed in

calling out, "Callie, can't you please talk to your mom? She really wants to make things right

over her

please! I want to apologize! Just give me a chance,

stopped and turned, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You want

conference. I'll even

sounded so serious, like she'd actually help Zelda call the local news and set up a

drained of color. She stared at Calliope like she'd grown a second

Calliope for real? She never thought she'd actually have to admit fault—much less in front of cameras. Wasn't apologizing

voice faltered, her expression twisted with