A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope stayed silent while Silas fixed his gaze on Gideon for what felt like an eternity.

"Just a 'Happy Birthday' without a gift, huh?"

"That's a bit rude. Don't you think so?"

Gideon was stunned. He had shown up drunk and impulsive, unsettled by Silas celebrating Calliope's birthday. The thought of bringing a gift hadn't even crossed his mind. Seeing her, he felt a heavy weight in his chest. She seemed happier, more alive, without him.

"Sorry, I forgot to bring a gift," Gideon said, frowning.

"That's okay. You don't need to give gifts immediately. If I remember correctly, you've got a place in Misty Haven. If you gave that to Calliope, she'd be quite pleased." Silas raised an eyebrow at Gideon.

Gideon hesitated, caught off guard.

"What's wrong, having second thoughts?"

"No, it's not that..." Gideon dared not defy Silas. He knew he had to comply if Silas wanted him to gift the house.

"Well, if you wouldn't mind, Calliope, the house in Misty Haven is yours. I'll have the paperwork sorted out and transferred to you soon."

Calliope smiled slightly. "I don't mind at all."

The Misty Haven house was one she had asked Gideon to buy years ago. She cherished it because she and her grandfather had once rented it together. Though she hadn't lived there in a while, it remained under Gideon's name.

Gideon had once promised to give it to her but never followed through. He nearly let Yvette move in, which had sparked a big argument between them.

She never expected Silas to step in and secure the house for her. It was full of memories of her grandfather, and she had always wanted it back.

She had thought of buying it from Gideon, but he never agreed. He claimed what was his was hers, too. Perhaps she used to believe that, but now she knew better.

Gideon felt a pang of frustration. He

knew how much Calliope cared about that house. With it in his

possession, Calliope would inevitably come to him because of it. But Silas had taken matters into his own hands.

"Callie, come over here. Let me introduce you to some friends," Silas said softly, taking Calliope's hand. Gideon watched as Silas led Calliope away, introducing her to his close buddies. They all smiled warmly, showing her respect.

The scene was a stark contrast to when Calliope had asked Gideon to introduce her to his friends. He had refused her countless times. He thought she didn't belong and

wouldn't fit in with his crowd yel.ne

IMS

But watching her easily converse with Silas's friends and seeing Silas eagerly introduce her made his chest tighten painfully.

Somewhere along the line, something had gone wrong, and it frustrated him deeply.

He shouldn't care about Calliope. And his interest had always been in his grandfather's shares, right? He was with her because he had been forced, wasn't he?

Even though the shares were gone now, wasn't he free? He should be happy, right? Yes, he should be happy.

There was nothing about her that would keep Silas interested. Silas would tire of her eventually. Gideon kept his eyes on Calliope's direction for a long time, his vision blurring with unshed tears.