A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Calliope stared into Dante's eyes, searching for anything that would give her a clue about who he was or why he seemed to know her. But she found nothing. It was like trying to read a book in a language she had never seen.

After pondering for a while, something clicked in her mind.

"Did I help someone you know? A relative, maybe? Is that why you recognize me?" she asked, almost reflexively.

It wasn't a far-fetched idea. Calliope often helped people without expecting anything in return when she was a doctor. Sometimes, they'd return years later, grateful and ready to repay her kindness in unexpected ways.

She once treated a cancer patient, extending her life for a bit longer. Though the woman eventually passed away, her grown child returned years later to express gratitude.

Maybe Dante was another case like that, she thought. It seemed plausible as she waited for his reply.

But Dante shook his head slowly. "No."

"No?" Calliope asked, perplexed. "If that's not it, why did you say you helped the Jewell family because of me? Why does it have to be me to assist them? Do we have some other connection?"

"I don't know you," she said, trying to figure it out.

"You don't know me, but I know you." Tears welled up in Dante's eyes, and one slipped down his cheek. Seeing him cry tugged at Calliope's heartstrings.

"Should I know you?" she ventured tentatively.

Dante shook his head again, staring at her for what felt like an eternity before gently patting her on the head.

"Thank you for growing up well," he whispered, his touch as soft as a whisper, as if he was afraid to press too hard.

"You knew me as a child?" Calliope asked, bewildered.

Who was this man standing before her? What was his story? Should she remember him? But there was nothing, no memory of him at all.

"Can't you just tell me?" Calliope pleaded, her curiosity eating away at her.

Dante shook his head again. "I'm not worthy.."

"Not worthy.? What does that even mean?" Calliope was on the verge of frustration, his words shrouded in mystery.

"I'm sorry," Dante said before retreating into his room, leaving Calliope standing outside, bewildered and more confused than ever.

Meanwhile, Lisette frowned while reviewing the photos and videos she had taken.

What on earth? Why hadn't they done anything more dramatic? And now Dante had shut her out? That was not how she had imagined things would go. noveldrama

But she wasn't too worried. She bet the intense gaze they shared in the photos would definitely make Silas jealous. Dante's eyes were red with emotion. Anyone would think there was something deeper going on.

Lisette had snapped the photos from a clever angle, capturing every detail of their exchange. She quickly sent them to Silas, then edited them a bit before posting them online from a secondary account

She smirked, feeling triumphant.

"Watch out, Calliope," she muttered. "This time, I'll ruin you."