A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Wait, Horatio still needs you to take care of him?" Calliope glanced at Lisette, her brow raised in surprise.

Then she turned to her brother. "Horatio, is there something you need help with? Why didn't you just tell me? I'm staying here for the next few days, so if you need anything, just say the word, okay? I mean, I am your sister. Looking out for you is kind of my job!"

Her sincerity was so clear, Horatio actually found it hard to brush her off.

But Lisette, on the other hand, looked like she'd just bitten into a lemon. The minute Calliope said she'd be staying over, Lisette's composure snapped. Her eyes went wide. "Calliope, what did you just say? You're... staying here? Like, actually staying?"

Her voice was sharper than she meant, and suddenly the whole room was looking her way, unsure why she was so upset.

Calliope blinked at her, then shrugged. "Are you not happy to see me, Lisette? You seem a little... intense."

She glanced around, almost as if seeking backup. "Are you all upset that I'm here too?"

She dropped her gaze, voice suddenly softer. "Well, maybe I shouldn't have come back. I mean, I guess this isn't really my home anymore."

"No, no, that's not what we meant!" Horatio said quickly.

"We fixed up your room and everything," Valerian chimed in. "You want to stay here, then stay! If Silas wants to visit, that's fine too. He's your husband, he's welcome!"

"Right, this is your family home," Horatio said. "You can always come back, Callie. It's your house too."

Horatio and Valerian both tried to reassure her, their voices warm.

Calliope shot a pointed look at Lisette, a tiny flicker of challenge in her eyes.

Lisette felt her stomach twist. If this had been a year ago, she knew exactly what would've happened: everyone would have ignored

leave. But now? Now they wel

Calliope, maybe even told her

all

fatting over themselves to comfort her, even making up a guest room?

Lisette scrambled to backtrack, her cheeks flushed. "Callie, that's not what I meant! I wasn't saying you

couldn't come home, I was just et

surprised, that's all. You're married now, and I guess I just assumed Mr. Myers would want you with him. But if you want to stay, honestly, that's great! We're all really happy to have you home."

She offered a shaky smile. "You know, Callie, I know you hate the small room. You can have mine. I'll switch."

Lisette was certain Horatio and

Valerian would never actually make her give up her room. They'd never let her be uncomfortable; that was just how it always was. Whatever else had changed, surely that hadn't.

She glanced at her brothers, hoping they'd reassure her as usual, and maybe scold Calliope for being demanding.

"Horatio, Valerian, I'll move my stuff into the spare room, okay? My old room was always Callie's anyway." Lisette tried to sound generous, hoping to remind everyone of her usual, agreeable self.

Monty, who'd been quiet till now, suddenly grinned. "Lisette, you're the best! I always knew you were the sensible one."

Lisette stared at him, confused by his enthusiasm. She shot a suspicious look at Horatio and Valerian.

They exchanged a glance, then smiled at her, the sort of knowing smile that made her skin crawl.

What on earth was going on?noveldrama