A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

When Lisette and the others got back, dinner was just about ready.

Calliope was hanging out by the door, munching on a handful of pistachios, looking like she was watching her favorite soap opera unfold.

Lisette trailed behind Horatio and the rest, her face lit up with a grateful smile, but there was a dramatic glimmer in her eyes, too.

"Dad, Horatio, Valerian, seriously, thank you guys so much! I really thought I was never getting out of there!"

She kept on, her voice growing more emotional. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be stuck. You guys are amazing! I owe you everything."

She looked down, her tone suddenly softer and a little guilty. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen... I honestly thought Callie was up to no good. I mean, why are all those big shots sticking up for her anyway?"

"Dad, Horatio, Valerian, I'm sorry. This is all my fault, isn't it? Did I just drag the whole family into a mess again?"

She had that perfect, wounded puppy look—the kind that made most people's hearts ache for her. But Calliope saw straight through it.

So, after all that time being grounded, Lisette was still spinning her tales, Calliope realized. Still hinting that she'd been wronged, and that maybe just maybe- those important folks were all wrapped up in some scandal with her.

Calliope rolled her eyes and cracked another pistachio. "Yeah, you did stir up quite a bit of trouble for everyone," she said bluntly.

"Let me guess you're gonna say all those people were only defending me 'cause I've got something going on with them, right?"noveldrama

Lisette hadn't noticed Calliope by the door, and when she did, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Callie? What are you doing here?"

She glanced back and forth, looking panicked, as if hoping someone would explain.

Calliope just grinned, "Relax, Lisette. I'm not asking for an apology or anything. Just kneel and call it even, okay?"

Lisette's face went pale. "Callie... you can't be serious. Not in front of everyone!" She clung tightly to Valerian's arm, suddenly looking small and scared.

Calliope shrugged. "I don't think so. But if you're not happy about it, I could just send you back. Your call."

She pulled out her phone, waving it around like she was about to make a call that would change everything.

Lisette's reaction was instant—she went even paler. "No, please, Callie, don't! I really don't want to go back!"

It was clear she'd had a rough time wherever she'd been.

"Enough, Callie," Horatio said, stepping in. "Lisette just got home. She doesn't know what's going on yet, so let's not make it worse."

"But she hasn't even apologized! Isn't that a problem?" Calliope shot back, popping another pistachio.

“Lisette, just apologize to Callie, alright?" Horatio said, his tone firm but gentle. "You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."

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Lisette's eyes filled with tears. looked at Horatio, voice trembling, "Did you all beg her to help? I'm so sorry. I can't believe you had to do that for me..."

"No, we didn't beg," Horatio replied. "Callie helped us out on her own. In return, we just... gave her a few things."

Lisette frowned, confused. "What things? What happened while I was gone?"

There was a strange shift in the air Something felt different between Calliope and the rest of the family. Lisette couldn't shake the feeling that she'd missed something big.

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"Don't worry about it right now, Lisette," Valerian said softly, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze. Let's get inside first. We've got a few things to talk over, all of us."

And with that, they headed inside, the smell of roast chicken and mashed potatoes filling the air, promising, at least, a little comfort.