A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope didn't even bother with Yvette. She looked at Gideon for a moment, then said coolly, "You don't owe me an apology. Honestly, you never really did anything to me. But you're going to have to live with the consequences of what you've done. That's all on you."

"Gideon, sure, your leg will heal. But your place in the Baker family? That's long gone."

"And remember how sweet you used to be to Yvette? Now look at you. With the way you're acting, you'll lose her too. Pretty soon, you'll have nothing left. I don't need your apology. It's clear enough, you're already getting what you deserve."

"Oh, and by the way? Blaming everyone else for your own screw-ups? That's a real low move."

Calliope shrugged, the barest hint of a smirk on her lips. She turned on her heel and walked out.

As she left, Gideon called after her, desperate.

"Callie, you came to see me! That means you still care, right? First loves are impossible to forget! You loved me most, no one else will ever compare!"

Calliope turned, her gaze icy. "The kind of first love people remember fondly? That's not you. You're the moldy leftovers at the back of the fridge. Everyone just wants to toss you out. Maybe you looked shiny on the outside at first, tricked people into thinking you weren't rotten. But everyone figures it out sooner or later."

"And once someone knows you're garbage, Gideon, who would ever want to remember you? Who'd ever care?"

She gave a short, cold laugh. Then she closed the door behind her, letting the heavy click cut off Gideon's voice.

As she glanced back through the window, she saw Gideon sweep everything off his bedside table in a fit of rage.

Calliope just shook her head. Now, more than ever, she wondered what she'd ever seen in him in the first place. No spine. No talent. Just a temper and a lot of blame to go around.

...

Meanwhile, after Yvette left the room, she quickly found a quiet corner and texted Silas, attaching a photo she'd just snapped.

The picture was misleading, to say the least. It showed Calliope standing close to Gideon's hospital bed, holding a takeout bag. From the angle it looked like she'd brought him some food, maybe even that she was there to take care of him. Anyone would assume there was still something between them.

Yvette even added some spicy commentary, hinting that Calliope still had feelings for Gideon.

She couldn't hide her smug little smile as she hit "send." Then, feeling a little extra, she sent another message for good measure.

After that, vette spun on her heel, planning to head back to check an Gideon She wasn't sure if Calliope had left yet, but honestly, she kind of hoped to catch her. She wouldn't mind stirring the pot a little.

But as soon as she turned the corner, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Calliopenoveldrama

was standing right there, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever.

Yvette instinctively tucked her phone behind her back.

"What's that you're hiding? Got something special back there?" Calliope asked, her tone playful but her eyes watchful.

"N-nothing! Just my phone." Yvette tried to play it cool, pulling her phone out in a shaky attempt at nonchalance. She was sure Calliope hadn't noticed her taking the photo earlier. Gideon hadn't either.

"Oh, really? You hid it pretty fast for something so innocent. Got a secret in there, Yvette?"

Calliope's curiosity was obvious, and a little intimidating.

Yvette's face went pale.

"No secrets. Seriously, you're making a big deal out of nothing."