A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope and her group were having a blast, chatting and laughing over burgers

and fries at their favorite diner. After the meal, they decided to hit the mall together and maybe catch a movie if there was anything good playing.

They had no idea Lisette and her brothers had the same idea. As fate would have it, right after their own meal, Lisette's crew also headed to the very same shopping center.

The two groups bumped into each other while Calliope and her friends were browsing a trendy jewelry store. Calliope was trying on a sparkly necklace, her brothers hovering nearby, giving opinions and joking around.

Valerian strolled alongside Lisette, grinning. "So, Lisette, what do you want? I'll get you a present."

He glanced at Horatio and Ulysses, nudging them. "You guys are getting Lisette something for Christmas too, right? Or are you just gonna let her pick?"

Horatio chuckled. "Whatever Lisette wants, that's what we'll get her."

Ulysses nodded. "Don't hold back, Lisette. Work's been good this year. I've got cash to spare."

Lisette shook her head, putting on her sweetest smile. "You guys don't have to go overboard! I'm just happy to spend the holidays with you. Honestly, I don't need anything else."

Even as she said it, her eyes couldn't help drifting to Calliope across the store, who was admiring herself in the mirror with a stunning set of earrings and a matching bracelet. Calliope's brothers were obviously all-in on helping her pick the best one.

Clearly, they'd overheard the conversation, because a few of them turned around, smirking.

Julius rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Do you guys follow us everywhere? You like our shadows now?"

Norton scoffed. "Maybe they're a little obsessed. Don't worry, Callie. They might be shopping for Lisette, but you've got us, and we'll get you all the gifts you want. Heck, name your price!"

"And don't forget your husband," Silas chimed in, with a wink. "No way will I let you lose out to anyone."

Calliope shot him a look, half amused, half exasperated. "Really, it's not a competition. I'd be happy with just a single gift from my brothers. It would outshine anything they could scrape together."

Silas pretended to pout. "What about me?"

Calliope grinned. "You've already given me everything, Silas. I'm basically a millionaire just by marrying you. If I want something, I can just buy it myself. I really don't need gifts."

Lisette, meanwhile, felt her stomach twist. Everything she'd been working so hard to get always seemed just out of reach, while Calliope had it all handed to her on a silver platter and didn't even seem to care.

She shot Calliope a bitter look. "Wow, must be nice to spend other people's money so freely. Doesn't it ever bother you, knowing you didn't earn it yourself?"noveldrama

Calliope, still perched on the

barstool, turned to face her, lips

curling into a mischievous smile.

"Not at all. They earn it because they want to take care of me. Why shouldn't I enjoy it? It's all perfectly mutual."

She leaned in towering her voice just enough for Lisette to hear. "What's the matter? Jealous? Too bad. Even if your brothers gave you everything, it wouldn't be much to brag about definitely wouldn't keep up with my lifestyle."

Silas and the other guys shot Lisette a glance, clearly unimpressed.

Silas shrugged. "Honestly, if Callie didn't spend our money, we'd be disappointed."

Quentin piped up, grinning. "That's the whole point of working hard, so Callie can have whatever she wants. So don't worry, Lisette."

Norton nodded. "Callie never has to feel guilty about spending our money. If anything, it just pushes us to do better. We want her to have the best."

Julius smirked at Lisette. "What's the matter? Your brothers not willing to hand over their savings for you? Guess you're not as special to them as you thought, huh?"