A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"As long as she's willing to save the company, I'll pay any price. Nothing's too much."

Valerian looked at Lisette with genuine warmth in his eyes. "Lisette, you've always been so kind. You've done a lot for the Jewell family already."

He found himself liking her more and more. She loved him, and she'd do anything for him.

"For the Jewell family, it's only right," Lisette said earnestly. "My life belongs to this family. All the good years I've had, I owe them to you. Giving everything for this family is just what I'm supposed to do."

Everyone nodded along at Lisette's words.

"If only Callie could understand that," Monty sighed.

"What does she know about anything?" Zelda huffed. "She's had no manners since she was a kid."

Ulysses Jewell shot Zelda a look. "Mom, we need her help right now. Maybe ease up on the judgment."

He felt a new kind of panic gnawing at him. Calliope had a husband now, brothers who cared about her, friends at her side. She didn't seem to care about the rest of them anymore.

At least, that's how it felt to him, Calliope was totally indifferent.

"When did you become her biggest defender?" Zelda snapped at Ulysses.

She remembered her youngest son used to dislike Calliope the most. Now he was sticking up for her? If it wasn't for the company, Zelda wouldn't even be here.noveldrama

Monty stared at Zelda, unblinking.

"Why don't you try making peace with Callie?" he said suddenly, his voice all business. "You've always been hard on her. Maybe that's why she doesn't want to come back or help out. She's disappointed in you. But if you make an effort, she might soften up and give us a hand."

He studied Zelda intently. "You're her mother, after all. No way she doesn't care about you at all."

"Absolutely not! I don't like her. I can't stand her!" Zelda shot back, her jaw tight.

Sure, she'd given birth to Calliope, but she'd nearly died because of it, and everyone always said Calliope was bad luck.

Now she was supposed to apologize? Change her attitude? No way.

Horatio and the others looked at Zelda, the expectation thick in the air.

"Mom, just try, okay? The company's on the line!" Horatio pleaded. "You noticed at Christmas, nobody stopped by, none of the relatives. They all know we're in trouble."

"Yeah, and if things get any worse, we might lose the company, the house- everything! You really want to be working at Walmart at your age?" Valerian added, trying to reason with her.

Zelda clenched her teeth. "You think she'd even accept an apology from me?"

She didn't want to lose everything, but swallowing her pride felt impossible.

"Callie's got a soft spot, you know. She helped out when we asked, except for you. You've never really asked her. If you do, she might just say yes. What she cares about most is probably your opinion," Valerian said gently.

Off to the side, Ulysses just shrugged looking unconvinced. He didn't think Calliope cared about Zelda's opinion, or anyone's, really. Something had changed in her. She didn't need their approval anymore.