A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope couldn't help but think back-she'd almost never fought back before.

Maybe it was because her brothers had let her down so many times. Maybe because, deep down, she still hoped they'd change. Most of the time, she just went along with whatever they threw at her, hoping one day her brothers would have some kind of epiphany and realize how wrong they'd been.

But after dying once, yeah, literally dying, she got it. They were never going to see the light. No sudden change of heart, no apologies.

And honestly? She didn't really need their love anyway. If they didn't care, fine. She'd love herself. And, hell, her "honorary" brothers, those guys who actually gave a damn, were enough.

As for Lisette, after years of coasting on the family's generosity? Oh, it was time to settle the score. Once or twice, you could call it an accident. But three, four times? Ten, twenty? Since the day Lisette walked through their front door, she'd been scheming against Calliope. She was manipulative even as a kid. Did she really think she could have it all?

The next day was the day Lisette was coming home.

Valerian and Horatio went together to pick her up. Ulysses was off shooting a movie, so he wasn't around.

Calliope had figured Monty hadn't gone either, until, after a whirlwind afternoon of meetings, she asked to talk with him about something and Monty's assistant let the news slip.

"Should I call Mr. Monty for you?" the assistant asked, sounding a little nervous. "He left this morning to pick up Ms. Lisette."

Everyone in the office knew Calliope was the real power here. If she wanted Monty back, he'd better come running.

But Calliope just shrugged. "Nah, don't bother."

She headed back to her office, only for Franco to show up a minute later.

“So,” Franco said, leaning against her doorframe, “everyone's gone to pick up Lisette?"

"You care?" Calliope asked, arching a brow.

Franco grinned slyly. "You practically own the company now, and they still don't bother sucking up to you What's so special about Lisette, anyway? She's got zero redeeming qualities."

"Maybe she means a lot to them," Calliope replied, voice flat.

Franco shook his head. "You gotta be tougher with them. They walk all over you

because you let them. They ignore you way too often."

"Mm-hmm," Calliope muttered, not looking up from her laptop.

Franco could tell she had her own plans, so he dropped it.

Calliope worked late into the evening. When she finally wrapped up, she packed her things and sent Silas a quick text before heading straight to the Jewell family estate.

Silas had offered to come with her, but she'd turned him down. She told him she'd probably be staying with the family for a few days, maybe not coming home at night.

...

When she arrived, the house was

quiet. Monty and the others hadn't come back yet. Either they hadn't picked Lisette up, or they'd found something else to do before heading home. Whatever. Not her problem.

Only Zelda and a couple of maids were home. Zelda, hearing the car pull up, rushed out, clearly expecting Lisette.

"Lisette, sweetheart! I made your

favorite mac and cheese, and there's apple pie cooling on the counter" Zelda called, her voice brimming with excitement. But as soon as she saw Calliope, her expression soured.

"Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?"noveldrama

"Lisette's coming home today. If you're here, she won't be happy!"

"This is supposed to be a family reunion. You being here? It's... inappropriate. You should go."