A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

After the movie, they strolled out into the cool evening, still buzzing with excitement. They wandered down the sidewalk, chatting about the plot twists and characters.

"The special effects were actually pretty awesome, right?" Portia grinned, bouncing on her heels. "Callie, what did you think?"

Calliope returned her smile. "Yeah, I liked it. It was way better than I expected. By the way, how's your family's company doing? Your brother and everyone okay?"

"All good!" Portia replied, then snapped her fingers as something occurred to her. "Oh! Callie, remember that woman you warned us about? The one you said we shouldn't hire?"

"Yeah, what happened?"

“She got arrested!" Portia shook her head in disbelief. "You totally called it. She turned out to be trouble, big time. If we'd hired her, who knows what mess she'd have brought. Turns out, she got a job at another firm, and nearly wrecked the place, got the boss in all kinds of legal trouble."

"Guess she really was dangerous," Calliope said.

Portia nodded emphatically. "Seriously, thanks to you, our company dodged a bullet. If not for your heads-up, we could've been in deep trouble."

"I guess that means I can keep slacking off without guilt," Portia joked, a hand over her heart in mock relief.

Calliope laughed. "As long as everything's okay, that's what matters."

Mavis, who'd heard bits and pieces of the story before, changed the subject. "Hey, Callie, about that letter from your grandpa... Are you sure you're not really part of the Jewell family?"

Calliope shrugged. "Not 100%, but

I'm getting closer. I was at the hospital for Horatio's surgery anyway, so asked them to run a DNA test. When the results come in, I'll know for sure."

She trusted Kermit, but figured it was best to double-check.

Mavis nodded. "Honestly, you never really seemed like the Jewells, you know?”noveldrama

Portia agreed. "It's not just looks, either. You're nothing like them, personality- wise. If you told me you weren't related at all, I'd believe it in a heartbeat."

Calliope smiled, relieved that her friends understood.

The conversation drifted as they made their way to a nearby bar. Inside, the place was humming with music and laughter. They ordered a round of cocktails. Portia got a gin andtonic, Mavis chose a whiskey sour, and Calliope shaped her margarita.

They slid into a booth, talking about Calliope's birth parents and what the holidays might look like this year.

"So, you got any plans for Christmas?" Mavis asked, swirling her drink.

Calliope nodded. "Yeah, I'll probably drop by the Jewell family's place first, you know, just to keep the

peace. But then I'm heading home to celebrate with my godbrothers. I feel like i've neglected them for years, always trying to please the Jewells. It's time to make it up to them.”

Portia raised her glass. "Honestly, the Jewells don't deserve your kindness. Now that you know you're not really related, you can finally let go of all that pressure.”

Mavis nodded thoughtfully. "Do the Jewells know about the DNA test yet? I wonder how they'll react when they find out."

Calliope just smiled, feeling lighter than she had in ages. For the first time in years, she was starting to believe she might really belong somewhere, just not where she'd always thought.