A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Callie, don't be upset, okay? Even after Lisette comes back, we'll still treat you right," Monty said, picking up on Calliope's sour mood.

He couldn't help himself and called out, "Lisette's back tomorrow. You should come over too! We'll have a family dinner. Whatever you're craving, just tell me, I'll have your mom make it!"

Calliope shot him a look. "Not worried I'll be in the way?"

"Of course not! You're my daughter. I'd love to have you there!" Monty insisted, suddenly very earnest. "Maybe I screwed up in the past, maybe I didn't pay enough attention to you, but that's over. I swear, it won't happen again."

"Callie, I mean it. Cross my heart, hope to die!" He even raised his hand as if making a pledge.

Calliope didn't buy it for a second. She'd heard it all before.

He'd once promised she'd always be his only little girl, that she'd have all his love. And then Lisette showed up, and somehow Callie's spot got smaller and smaller.

"Whatever," Calliope shrugged. "No need for the big promises. You should just focus on work right now. As for dinner tomorrow, of course I'll be there. After all, I'm the one who got her out, right? She owes me at least a thank you."

"And besides," she added, smirking, "someone's gotta help you all roll out the red carpet."

Monty blinked. He'd half-expected her to refuse. But thinking it over, maybe it was good for her and Lisette to clear the air.

Besides, Callie was running things now, and Lisette would be back to help. Callie had even promised no one's job would change, so Lisette would have her old spot.

That thought cheered Monty up, and he headed back to his office with a little more spring in his step.

Later that afternoon, Horatio and

Valerian showed up at Calliope'snet

office. One was carrying a coffee, the other a pastry box.

"Callie, got your favorite cheesecake," Valerian grinned, setting it on her desk.

"And I grabbed your coffee order on the way up," Horatio added, holding it out.

For a moment, they almost looked like the big brothers they used to be, dropping by with treats.

Calliope eyed them both, eyebrow raised. "Okay, what's with the sudden sweetness? You guys want something?"noveldrama

Horatio looked almost wounded. "No, really! We just wanted to do something nice for you."

"Yeah, take a break, have a snack," Valerian chimed in, nodding earnestly.

Both of them watched her, waiting for her reaction.

When they were kids, they used to look at her like that, like she was the center of their universe. But now, it just felt. Odd. She wasn't sure if they genuinely cared, or if they were buttering her up for something. Especially with Lisette coming back, everything felt uncertain

Still, she didn't turn them down. Free dessert was free dessert.

She sat and took a bite, feeling both of them still staring at her.

“Okay, guys, seriously. Spit it out. You're creeping me out," she finally said, mouth half-full of cheesecake.

Valerian

"Calliesitated, then leaned in. artieve gotta ask when's Horatio

treatment for his legsre

you one hundred percent sure about

it?"