A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Horatio said, "Even if you're not close with us, you can't just walk away from the

family like this!"

"Yeah, Callie, you can't just break family ties like snapping your fingers!"

Calliope turned around, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "You guys have

been tailing us this whole time? Family ties, huh? But what if I told you there's no

blood between us? Would you still be saying that?"

She shrugged. "Anyway, you don't need the details. Leaving the Jewell family is

only a matter of time for me."

Horatio and the others frowned, clearly unsettled.

But Lisette's eyes sharpened. She'd caught that one little phrase-no blood

between them.

What did she mean by that?

Could it be... Calliope wasn't really a Jewell? Lisette had always thought it odd.

Calliope looked nothing like her so-called brothers, Monty or Zelda. The family

resemblance just wasn't there.

Horatio and the others brushed it off, thinking Calliope was just talking out of

anger.

But Lisette's curiosity was piqued. She decided she had to look into it. Maybe

Calliope really wasn't a Jewell after all.

The movie theater lights dimmed, and the previews started to roll.

Calliope glanced at them and said coolly, "Movie's starting. Time to zip it."

With that, she turned around, not bothering to look back.

Horatio and his crew couldn't focus on the movie at all. Their minds kept circling

back to Calliope's threat to leave the Jewell family. She sounded dead serious this

time, and they all knew, if anyone could pull off something like that, it'd be her.

They barely paid attention as the film played, and before they knew it, the credits

were rolling.

Calliope praised Julius's acting, then added, "Didn't expect the movie to be this

good, honestly."

As they headed out, they overheard snippets of excited conversation from other

moviegoers.

"Julius was just incredible in this one!"

"The pacing was perfect, not a dull moment. And it was so moving!"

"Yeah, Julius really nailed it. Good-looking and talented, what a combo!"

Julius couldn't hide his little smirk. Calliope shot him a thumbs-up.

Their group trailed behind the crowd, laughing and chatting as they left the

theater.

Lisette and the others followed at a distance.

Valerian called out, "Calliope, we need to talk."

He still couldn't wrap his head around the idea of her leaving the Jewell family.

Worse, he was convinced she might try to take over the family business.

"Not now," Calliope tossed over her shoulder. "Whatever it is, save it for the

office."

She linked arms with Silas and Quentin, and the three of them hurried toward the

exit.

Valerian glowered, his whole face stormy.

Once outside, Calliope ducked into

the restroom. She didn't expect to

bump into Lisette or the others on

her way out, but she did run smack

into a man she recognized instantly.

He was one of Oliver's assistants.

She'd thought Oliver was done

causing trouble, but here he was

again, rearing his head at the worst

possible moment. Running into his

lackey on Christmas was enough to

sour anyone's mood.

"What do you want?" Calliope asked, clearly annoyed as he blocked her path.

"My boss would like to invite you for

coffee, Ms. Jewell," the assistant

said smoothly. "Would you prefer to

walk with me, or do I need to get anoveldrama

little more persuasive?"

"Coffee? Seriously?" Calliope rolled her eyes.