A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Silas dropped Calliope off at Lance's place, then left to take care of his own business.

The moment Calliope stepped inside, she could feel it—the tension in the house was thick, almost suffocating.

On the couch, Hudson and Lance sat side by side, neither saying a word. Both of them looked pale, eyes dark and tired. It was like some kind of silent standoff.

Lance, especially, looked like he'd been crying for hours. His eyes were red and puffy, reminding Calliope of a kid who'd just lost his favorite puppy.

It was hard not to feel sorry for him. Usually, Lance was so lively and upbeat. Seeing him like this... well, anyone would feel their heart ache for him. If the person you loved most in the world only had a little time left, who could just accept that? Who could just let go?

Calliope slipped off her sneakers, and only then did both guys seem to notice her. They looked over at her at the exact same moment.

"Callie," Lance choked out. His voice was thick, shaky, his eyes wet. He looked about two seconds away from falling apart completely.

Honestly, even Hudson looked wrecked. And Calliope? Seeing them both like this made her chest ache.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, walking over and wrapping Lance in a hug.

She should've come sooner. She should've been here.

Suddenly, she remembered telling Lance just yesterday that unless his brother was on death's door, he should just wait a couple days. The irony stung.

Now, it was happening for real. Hudson, the person Lance adored most was actually dying.

Calliope felt helpless. She'd spent the whole afternoon calling everyone she knew, but no one could help. there had been even a sliver of hope, she would've flown across the country in a heartbeat to talknoveldrama

through options.

But no. Everyone told her the same thing: "Let him spend his last days doing whatever he wants."

It was basically a death sentence. There was nothing left to do.

Lance looked up at her, tears rolling down his cheeks. "You knew, didn't you? You knew right away, didn't you?"

Calliope nodded. "I'm sorry, Lance. I wasn't sure what was really going on. I didn't want to worry you before I knew for sure."

"So what am I supposed to do now?" Lance broke down, his voice raw. "What about Hudson? What am I supposed to do without him?"

He was shaking. He looked like he wanted to hit something, or maybe scream, but

he just sat there, clutching a pillow until his knuckles turned white.

Hudson had told him the truth, that it was bad, that there wasn't much time left. But Lance just couldn't believe it. Hudson was always

strong, always looking out for net

always making things okay. How could someone like that just be... gone?

He thought they'd have so much more time, that things would be happy, that their

family would be alright. But now, what was left?

Lance glanced between Hudson and Calliope, desperate for some kind of hope.

"Callie, tell me the truth. I need to know what's really going on. Is there even a one percent chance he'll get better?"

Calliope looked away, swallowing

hard. She didn't know how to say it, because if there had been any hope at all she would've jumped on it immediately.

Her silence told Lance everything he needed to know.