A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"It's not that. I just know you're busy. If it's something I can handle myself, I don't want to bother you," Calliope said sincerely.

"I'm your husband. You're supposed to lean on me," Silas replied, sounding a bit frustrated. "When you need something, I should be the one you turn to. If you're in trouble, I want to be the first person you call, not anyone else."

Even if she could handle things on her own, he wished he could be the one standing by her side, helping her through it. She was so capable, so independent, he barely ever had the chance to step in. And honestly, that kind of bummed him out.

Calliope looked over at Silas, cautious. "Are you mad at me?” she asked, inching closer, cheeks puffed out as she spoke softly. "I didn't mean to, it's just... you're always so busy. I don't want to make things harder for you."

"It's not hard for me. Helping you makes me happy," Silas said, still a little sulky. "I want to do these things for you. I want you to rely on me."

They'd been married for years, but whenever trouble came around, her first instinct was always to handle it herself. Whatever it was, she'd deal with it without ever coming to him. She could easily just let him take care of things, but she never gave him the chance.

"Don't be upset," Calliope pleaded, exasperated.

If she started bringing everything to him, wouldn't he get annoyed?

If it was something she could fix herself, why bother anyone else?

wasn't exactly "anyone else," but if she kept pestering him with every little thing, who's to say he wouldn't

I can handle it, I'll talk to you first. I won't just go off and do things on my own. Even if

"Silas?"

"Honey?"

hand and shaking it, doing

cracked. He couldn't

bright as he looked

at

noticed before how good-looking he was. Once upon a time, she'd been so hung up on Gideon. Now, thinking back, that felt like another lifetime. She was so glad

Calliope said,

Silas's

against

feel like don't have to do anything at

"Of course," he replied.

to have you." She tilted her head to look at him, the

them so