A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust novel Chapter 121

"Is there anything about you that's worth trusting?" Zelda's voice was sharp, like the edge of a knife.

"Callie, do you remember all the trouble you've caused over these years?" Zelda continued, her eyes blazing with anger. "How many times have you tried to hurt Lisette, and you think we don't know?"

"When you were ten, you pushed Lisette into the pool at your birthday party. She nearly drowned, remember?"

"Then, when you were twelve, you shoved her down the stairs, and she broke her leg. Ring a bell?"

"And when you turned fifteen, you orchestrated her kidnapping, and worse... You conveniently forgot that, didn't you?"

Zelda's accusations hung in the air like a thick fog.

Calliope stood stoically, the memories swirling back like a relentless tide.

She said quietly, "what if I told you that when I was ten, Lisette pushed me first? We both ended up in the water, but you saved her while I had to crawl out alone.

At twelve, she shoved me, and I just reacted.

And at fifteen..."

Valerian interjected, trying to mediate. "Callie, don't blame Mom for being harsh. You shouldn't have hurt Lisette."

"Lisette's different," he added as if that explained everything. "She's not like you. She's always been innocent, and you're... well, you know."

Calliope crossed her arms, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "So, it's all my fault? Everything's always my fault, right?"

Inwardly, she wondered if they would ever regret their choices. Would they feel even a twinge of remorse if she were gone?

The thought lingered and was unanswered as she faced the people who should have been her family but had chosen to believe in shadows.