A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

The room buzzed with a cheerful energy, filled with friends and family, no outsiders in sight. Everyone was genuinely wishing her a happy birthday.

"Come on, make a wish and blow out the candles!" someone called out with a playful nudge.

Silas leaned in close to Calliope's ear, his voice just a soft whisper meant only for her, "Happy birthday, darling. Make a wish."

"Thank you!" Calliope replied, glancing around at everyone, feeling a lump in her throat.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had such a lively birthday celebration.

It took her back to her childhood when she used to live with her grandpa. He'd invite people over every birthday, and her friends would fill the house. She felt like a little princess adored by the whole world. But after her grandpa passed away, she moved back in with her biological parents. Since then, she'd never had a birthday that felt entirely her own or experienced such a vibrant celebration.

Her eyes stung with unshed tears. She fought to keep them at bay, closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles.

Portia giggled and playfully smeared a bit of cake on Calliope's face as the candles flickered out. The lights flickered on, illuminating the entire hall.

For the first time, Calliope could fully appreciate the magical setup of the room. Fairy lights twinkled like stars across the ceiling, and the place was adorned with delicate tulle, balloons, and a sea of flowers, making it look like a dream.

In one corner of the hall, there was a mountain of gifts. Calliope noticed something peculiar about the pile -it seemed to be divided into two stacks.

Catching her curious glance, Portia couldn't help but explain, "Hey, Callie, are you wondering why the gifts are in two separate piles?"

"Why?" Calliope asked, puzzled.

"Well, one stack is from all of us here, but the other," Portia grinned, "is from a certain someone."

She pointed toward Silas, "Your husband ensured to have a present for every year you've been alive, all waiting for you! Pretty thoughtful, huh?"

Surprised, Calliope turned to Silas. "Really?"

"Yeah," Silas nodded, "You can open them all later. I couldn't give you those birthday gifts before, so I'm making up for it today!"

"Why are you so good to me?" Calliope felt her eyes misting over again.

Though she and Silas were only in a partnership, he treated her so well, which was overwhelming.

If he kept this up, she might just fall for him.

But could she really allow herself to love him?

She wasn't sure.

Silas smiled. "You're my wife. Who else would I be good to, if not you?"

Calliope gazed at Silas, her emotions swirling.

Was it because she was his wife,

and he saw it as a duty? Even knowing it might just be his

know sibility, she couldn't help t

feel touched.

How could someone be so wonderful, strong, handsome, yet so warm?

"I appreciate it. Thank you," Calliope said softly.

She turned her gaze to everyone in the room, including the Baker family, her friends, and Silas's friends. He'd even thought to invite her brothers.

Calliope looked over at Quentin and his brothers, and her eyes began to water again.

Since leaving the countryside, she hadn't celebrated a birthday with them, and there they all were.

As everyone celebrated Calliope's

birthday, no one realized that heret

three blood brothers, Valerian, and the others, had also arrived at the Starlight Hotel.