A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope glanced at Valerian with surprise and weariness.

She had told him countless times that she was the one who had saved his life, not Lisette. But he had always dismissed her words, insisting Lisette was his savior. He accused Calliope of being manipulative and trying to steal Lisette's credit.

Eventually, she grew tired of defending herself. She stopped bringing it up, resigning to the belief that Valerian would never learn the truth. But to her astonishment, somehow, Valerian had discovered the reality of what happened.

Maybe it had something to do with her saving Nigel, a small act that seemed to ripple through the fabric of their lives, altering the course of some events.

In the past, Valerian acknowledging the truth would have stirred intense emotion in Calliope. Her brother finally recognizing her would have brought tears to her eyes.

But now, she felt a strange calmness.

Her gaze remained steady and cold as she looked at Valerian, her voice cold and detached. "Did I not tell you?" she asked. "Is it my fault you didn't know?"

Her voice, though melodious, carried an edge of aloofness.

Valerian felt a sharp pang of guilt, his eyes reddening slightly.

"I'm sorry, Callie," he mumbled, his voice thick with remorse. "I was wrong. I never believed you, and I'm so sorry for that.

He lowered his head, drowning in self-reproach.

"And so?" Calliope replied, her tone unyielding. "You think a simple 'sorry' is enough for me to forgive everything, to cry and tell you it's okay, that you're still my wonderful brother?"

"Callie, that's not what I meant," Valerian stammered, struggling for words.

"Then what did you mean?" Calliope's expression remained unchanged as she watched him.

"I just... I realized I misunderstood you. I want to make it right. Hit me, yell at me, whatever you need," Valerian pleaded. "You liked that car, right? Let me buy it for you."

Silas, who had been standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, cast a sidelong glance at Valerian, one eyebrow raised. "Valerian, you think I'm running short on cars here?"

Valerian faltered, momentarily at a loss for words.

Calliope crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. "Since you know I'm the one who saved you and that Lisette took my credit, what will you do about Lisette?"

Valerian froze, his gaze flickering with indecision and discomfort.

Calliope's clear, striking eyes bore into him. "What's your plan? Just sweep it under the rug?"

"Callie, Lisette is your sister, too. She's young. She didn't mean any harm. Can't you forgive her?" Valerian implored earnestly. "There must have been a reason she lied. She's not that kind of person." Calliope's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Oh, so Lisette didn't mean it, but I'm the one with bad intentions?"

"Callie, that's not what I'm saying!" Valerian rushed to explain. "Lisette isn't like that. I know you've always had issues with her, and it's just a misunderstanding.

Calliope's eyes locked onto Valerian's, a storm of unspoken frustrations brewing within her. Even now, with the truth before him, he chose to defend Lisette. In his eyes, it was always about Lisette.

Uninterested in continuing the conversation, Calliope moved to leave. But Valerian quickly stepped before

her, placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

"Lisette may have been wrong, but she didn't do it purposely. Callie, please, can you forgive her?"