A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Valerian and his brothers exchanged puzzled glances as they watched Calliope walk away. Something about her seemed off, but they couldn't figure it out. She felt distant, colder than she used to be, leaving an uneasy feeling in the pit of their stomachs.

Shortly after Calliope left, Valerian's phone buzzed. It was Lisette checking in on their progress.

"How's everything going?" she asked, her voice bubbly with anticipation.

The trio quickly reassured her, promising that her birthday party tomorrow would be the grandest event in Capitalton. With that, their thoughts of Calliope faded as they dived into preparations for the party. Meanwhile, Calliope had returned to the party, seemingly unaffected by her encounter with the Jewell brothers. She mingled effortlessly, her laughter infectious and her energy bright.

Not long after, Gideon appeared at the party, surprising everyone. He'd had a few drinks, and somewhere along the way, he'd heard Calliope was celebrating her birthday there. Acting on impulse, he'd rushed over, only to sober up at the entrance, wondering why he had come.

When he saw Calliope standing radiant under the soft lights, he froze. She looked stunning, her every movement captivating, drawing all eyes toward her.

But the sight of her stirred a sense of turmoil within him. He was engaged to Yvette, yet his heart was here, with Calliope.

Once so understanding and agreeable, Yvette had become increasingly demanding about the wedding, which grated on him. He couldn't help but reminisce about how Calliope always understood and supported him without complaint.

Compelled by a sudden urge, he walked over to her.

"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" Gideon asked, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. Calliope regarded him coldly, "Gideon, do I really need to?" Gideon blinked, caught off guard.

"Oh,

II

in on, Mr. Baker," Portia

with a smirk. "You dated rages and still don't know

her birthday?"

She continued, "Every year, you'd

leave her alone to be with Yvette et

And now, just because she's married to someone else, you suddenly

care?" n

"Besides," Portia added, "her husband didn't need a reminder to plan a surprise for her."

Gideon glanced at Silas, who was watching him with a gaze as cold as ice. Instinctively, Gideon swallowed hard, his mind snapping into focus. Calliope wasn't his anymore. She was married to his uncle, no less. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

Silas stepped forward, positioning himself protectively before Calliope.

"You should focus on your wedding, not causing trouble here," he said, his voice hard and unyielding.

"I wasn't..." Gideon stammered, his cheeks flushed. "Happy birthday."

His eyes, dark with regret, lingered on her. She was once his, and the loss felt like a weight he couldn't shake.