A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope stood there, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and sincerity.

"I'm fine," she insisted. "I wouldn't have stepped in to help if I thought I was in any real danger. I would have done the same for anyone. Oh, and here's a little secret for you. I'm kind of a big deal with holistic medicine. My hands will be fine, no scars or anything, so there's no need to worry!"

She puffed her cheeks playfully and shook Silas's arm gently, her bright eyes wide with hopeful anticipation.

Silas met her gaze and felt his resolve crumble. No matter how frustrated he was, his heart softened instantly. He wasn't upset that she had helped Nigel. But seeing her injured and her hand wrapped up sent a pang through his chest.

He knew how skilled she was and that she was renowned for her healing abilities. Still, he couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt.

"Just don't make a habit of it."

Calliope sighed with relief. "I promise it won't happen again!"

Silas nodded slightly, and his worry slightly eased.

Meanwhile, outside the hospital, Valerian stood frozen. His phone call just ended. The bustling crowd moved around him, but he remained rooted, oblivious to the occasional bump from passersby.

It was her. It was really her!

For years, Valerian had it all wrong. The person he owed his life to, the one he should have treated with gratitude, wasn't Lisette.

It was Callie, the sister he had always dismissed as a troublemaker.

It was Callie who had dragged him from the flames of that terrible fire. Yet he had never believed her.

Callie hadn't left the country back then. She had only rushed off after helping him, when Gideon needed her urgently.

And Lisette had taken the credit.

Valerian had never bothered to uncover the truth for years, even though Calliope had tried to tell him many times.

He had accused her, saying she had abandoned him for a romantic adventure abroad as he lay near death. He had called Callie heartless, called her a jinx, incapable of saving him.

And now, the truth hit him like a slap in the face. It had been easy to confirm, yet he had willfully ignored it. Valerian slapped himself hard, overwhelmed with regret.

Why had he trusted Lisette over Callie?

He looked up, eyes red with emotion, and suddenly spotted Callie in the crowd.

Valerian's body trembled as he moved towards her, his eyes darting briefly to Silas before dismissing him entirely.

"Callie, I was wrong. I remember now. I'm so sorry for everything!"

Calliope was stunned by Valerian's sudden appearance and unexpected apology. She eyed him with caution.

After all, Valerian was usually the one to criticize her the most, always ready with a snide remark. This new demeanor was completely unexpected.

While seeing her wary expression, Valerian's heart ached. Callie no longer trusted him.

"Callie, I know the truth now. I've figured it out. It was you who saved me from the fire three years ago, not Lisette, wasn't it?

Callie, why didn't you tell me the truth sooner?"